Earn cash as you plan. Get a $20 gift card for every 200 points with The Knot Rewards
Michigan-Grand Rapids
Affordable Photographer?
Can anyone recommend a photographer who charges under $1000 for photography? It seems like all I can find are photographers that charge $1500-$4000! I want someone who has a strong portfolio and someone who I can purchase a CD of all the images with copyrights. I really want nice pictures for a price I can afford and that is less than $1,000. I want ceremony-recption coverage. Any recomendations appreciated!
February Siggy Challenge... Honeymoon Destination:
Honeymoon Cabin in the Smokey Mountains
Gatlinburg, TN
Honeymoon Cabin in the Smokey Mountains
Gatlinburg, TN
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Affordable Photographer?
Honeymoon Cabin in the Smokey Mountains
Gatlinburg, TN
With that said, photographs are one of the only things that last forever. Flowers die. You only wear the dress once. People throw out the invitations.....Sure you want a cheap price on the pictures, but I really feel like you get what you pay for. And with a lot of photography packages just because they're done taking pictures at your wedding, doesn't mean they stop working for you. Most good photographers spend hours editing all the pictures they took. I hear SO often from people that cheaped out on the pictures that they regret it years later. And if you are minoring in photography, you know how much work it can be.
[QUOTE]I found one today for $950 and her porfolio was nice so I am going to look into her a little more. It amazes me how much they charge and many of them only give you a CD with the images and if you want prints you have to pay even more!? Crazy. I am going to have photography as my minor and if I ever do weddings I am going to make it for a much more reasonable price. I understand it is their job and that the memories and good photography is important, but JEEZE! I thought about putting an ad up at the college, but I really want someone who has more experience so they don't miss the key shots. I just don't want to spend 1/3 of my budget on just photography.
Posted by greeneyes04[/QUOTE]
<div>They give you a CD so that you can make prints cheper elsewhere! I use shutterfly. If you order all your prints from the photographer there's a huge up-charge!</div>
She and her husband were awesome with our wedding photos on september 1. We booked her earlier during the year and her prices were a little cheaper but her prices are still affordable
Honeymoon Cabin in the Smokey Mountains
Gatlinburg, TN
Most decent photographers are about $1200+. You can find a few out there that do a decent job for less than that, but they are usually people who have not been in business for very long and just haven't built up their reputation yet.
There are a ton of factors that go into what photographers charge. An excellent photographer will be carrying around $10K-$20K worth of gear, or even more. A good photographer will likely have at least $7500 worth of gear, and most will have a second shooter. Bouquet tosses and that first kiss at the alter only last split seconds. You will need someone who knows exactly what to look for and can not only get the shot, but have it in focus, bright, and crisp. A good photographer knows how to deal with tricky lighting situations and still take flattering photos. There are more minsters/priests than you know who won't allow flash photography during the ceremony inside of a dark church (usually from the very back!!!). Unless your photographers have some really kick-a lenses, they are not going to be able to get you good pictures.
I hired Lewis Hizer when I got married to my first husband about 8 years ago. He is still in business and getting great reviews, so you know he's good. Photography was actually MORE expensive back then because there weren't as many photographers out there using high end film cameras (yep those were the film days lol). He is about $1400 last I checked, but for that I can tell you you are going to get AMAZING photos. I see he advertises a little bit now, but mostly I think he got his business through happy customer referrals.
One other thing to look for in a photographer is their basic demeanor. Are they the type that is going to take charge and make sure that everyone is lined up in the most flattering manner? Do they notice if hands are in pockets and eyes are closed? Do they know exactly what all the important shots are, and are they willing to work with you if there is a special one that you want? Do they know the most flattering lighting situations? You would be stunned at how many "pros" out there are running around with less than $1000 worth of gear, basically taking snapshots that your uncle joe could do just as well.
Oh and one more thing... ask your photographer what file format they shoot in and how much they typically edit. Those bright glowing photos on their websites and facebook pages typically go through 10min. to a half hour EACH of editing. Now multiply that number by like 800 pictures. That is how many hours the photographer is actually sitting behind his/her computer at home working on your pictures after the ceremony. Trust me, even for the best pros, they do not come off the camera looking as stunning as what you are seeing on their websites. That all comes with good editing software and hours and hours of experience with it.
So, if you still think you want a photographer that charges less than $1000, I can tell you you might get very lucky and get a relative beginner who just happens to have loads of talent, or you might get the hobbyest with a $600 camera and a kit lens, no pro lighting, and very little experience with dealing with you and your guests.
I am pretty familiar with Muskegon area photographers too. If you need any info on any of those, PM me.
We just had our engagement photos done and love them, plus she is so fun to work with.
Good luck!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Arowyn-Photography/180571887510?fref=ts
Goodluck!
I would typically agree, but my photographer rocks and the prices are good. You just have to do a little research to find a quality photographer