Planning going nowhere!

spoiled1819

My planning is going nowhere.  I'm completely stuck on a photographer.  My wedding is in July so I have a little while for most everything else.  I'm just trying to get the big things already done and out of the way.  But I can't seem to find a good photographer in my area (Greensboro) that I like AND fits my budget.  I have tons of amateurs trying to offer their services and while I do appreciate it, I'm kinda picky when it comes to the photography.  How do I tactfully say no?  How did you pick your photographer?  What were the aspects that made you pick them?  Any recommendations of good reasonable photographers?

ktyd8

How much are you wanting to spend? I chose my photographer because I really liked their style, their personality and they were in my budget.

I used Ball N Chain Photography out of Raleigh, but they traveled to Surf City, NC for us. They were great and I highly recommend them.

spoiled1819

My budget is $2,000.  

elizabethb3511

Dawn McNally is a Charlotte Photographer within your budget, travels, and package is for all day!

dawsonm

I used jenn smith out of Winston-Salem and so far she's been fantastic. We've only done engagement pics so far but we trust her for the whole shebang and her packages are very affordable. If you'd like to see our epics, I'd be happy to show you some! Send me a pm!

www.jennsmithstudio.com

pirategal03

Autumn Song out of Thomasville should be within your budget.

For saying "no", just tell them after your meetings that you're going to think about it and you'll be in touch.  If you decide not to use them, just don't be in touch.  If they contact you then just let them know you've decied to go a different direction for photography.

We chose our photographer (www.ericaletchworth.com) because we knew we loved her work, and we got along well with her.  I feel comfortable saying when I'm uncomfortable, or saying what I'd like, and I know she feels comfortable making suggestions and whatnot.

Most photographers put the best photos on their websites, but you can ask to see a full album to get a better idea of their shooting style. 


ETA: I just checked Autumn Song's website and their prices have changed.

It wouldn't hurt to contact photographers and say "this is what I'm looking for, this is my budget, can you help me?".  Just because their "package" is a little out of range, doesn't mean it can't be tweaked a bit for you.

caseyeverhart

I'm in Kernersville, and I'm using Jennifer Farris (out of Kernersville).  I feel like I went through 500 photographers and she was my favorite and most reasonable on price!

I was really interested in someone that didn't do the same shot everyone else does.  I wanted someone who could do the "photojournalistic" style really well.  I was very honest with everyone on the fact that photography was number one on my wedding list. 

Mine is a little over 2000, but you could also change your package around to make it under 2000.  I took off my photo book which decreased it by $800 for example.

TinyTRex321

My friend used Ross Photography out of Greensboro and he was great. (http://www.ross-photography.com/). He did the standard posed pictures but what he did really well was capturing the whole event.  He has a photojornalistic style and is under $2,000. We were going to use him but a local photographer here in Durham offered us a huge discount.  We did find that when talking to photographers you can usually get them to come down some on their prices.

amandaandkyle

I am using Hathaway Photography (www.hathawayphotography.net) based out of Raleigh and they are well within your budget for all day for two photographers.

I chose them because I have been in two weddings they have photographed and have just loved the photos my friends have ended up with, plus I get along very well with both girls who will be photographing our wedding.  Their style and attention to detail suits me well and their pricing was just icing on the cake.  They are a small, small studio and only book one wedding/month.

sunnysarahinNC

My budget was $2,000 as well, and we wanted the following in there:
-epics
-bridal portrait
-full coverage day of (8 hours)
-DVD with full rights
-one bride/groom album
-two smaller parent albums

it was very hard to find something for that budget, with all the album printing! but, my parents are footing the bill, and the albums were at their request, so we worked within that budget.

saying no: the great thing about wedding vendors is that they hear no all the time- you will not be the first! the best thing to do is just to be straightforward when you make your decision not to go with them. if you're not comfortable calling (I wasn't!), then just send an email. it is your big day, and vendors will (or should!) understand if you don't feel like it's a good fit.

recs/why: we are using emily renee out of Charlotte. she is just breaking in (under 5 years in the industry now), but her work was beautiful, and i've told the other girls this before, but something super important to me was a photog that understood how meaningful the ceremony portion of the day was to me. we have having a very religious ceremony, and she was very in tune with capturing that as the "reason" behind the celebration. anyways, she was very sweet, not pushy like some photogs. I want mine to blend in and capture all the moments!

as for other recs, the only other photog i met with that was in my price range was sabrina from a simple moment/simple moments (?) in Charlotte. we didn't connect quite as well as I did with Emily & I didn't like her work quite as much.

anyways, depending on what you want in with your 2000, you have a bigger budget than you think..the printing honestly is what made it difficult for us! but I'm very happy with my decision, and looking forward to epics in October!

alliegator8

JJ Photography is awesome!  Highy recommend them. Scott Muthersbaugh is also out of G-boro.  He is our wedding photographer and does just amazing stuff.  He's been national published and all.  Both are great and offer very reasonable prices.

erineieio

I chose my photographer based on portfolio, style of photography, personality, pricing... ??

You want to feel comfortable having someone following you around the whole day and be confident that they're getting the pics that you want.  If you've seen pics on websites or of friends that you love, then you can give them as suggestions to the photographer that you choose... but you also want your photographer to be creative and get pics of you that aren't just like everyone else has framed in their house.

Another suggestion for you...
Fantasy Photography
http://www.fantasyphotographyonline.com/weddings.html

They're in Winston-Salem, but I did see pics from a G-boro wedding that she did a few weeks ago.  It's a husband/wife team which is great when it comes to getting pics of expressions of you and the groom at the same time throughout the event.  I just checked and they've got packages within your budget too.  They're very friendly and we've found them to be a lot of fun to work with.

BTW- If you do decide that you're going to get them to do your wedding let me know and I can share one of my discount cards with you.  Every little bit that you can saves helps