Photographer stress

Jemma86

Hi girls! Just wondering if anyone can reccomend a decent cheaper photographer out there?? We were set to have our friend shoot our 11/11 Pittsburgh aqurium wedding but he may be transferring states for his full time job. I've looked around and other people I know run about 11-1200 for those starting out. I don't want to pay any more than this but wasn't sure if you can get anyone even cheaper?? I'm sure you pay for what you get etc..but i'm just trying to weigh my options. Thanks so much!!

-Bre

Flowerstar1023

We're using Stephanie Strasburg. http://stephaniestrasburg.com/weddings/ I looked at a lot of options (there are a ton ranging in price literally from $500 to $9200 depending on the photographer and package), but we really liked her style and enjoyed meeting with her. We haven't used her services yet since our wedding's not till next year. I found her on Craigslist and there are a lot of photographers advertising that way who would fit within your budget.

Good luck!

map624

I am using Matthew Blassey, and I know a few other girls on here did as well.  He is 1300 for all day coverage.  I think he does great work.  

carcrashheart

Just remember (re: if you go cheaper)-you're probably going to get what you pay for. You're going to be looking at these picture for the rest of your life. That's all. GL!

MrsDydek

I'm about in that price range too. Well actually my price range is "as cheap as possible with out getting bad quality." I know ppl keep saying you get what you pay for, but you really don't. Maybe I just don't have the eye but I've seen pics from photographers that were 5,000 for 8 hours and from photographers that were 2,000 for 8 hours, and they look exactly the same to me. It's more like if you pay less than 2,000 you get what you pay for, if you pay more than that your probably gonna get about the same quality as people who paid twice as much. 

That said I'll suggest the photographers that I'm currently looking at: http://limelight-images.com/

for $1199 you get 8 hours, and engagement session, two photographers, and 200 of your edited wedding images on flash drive to print. Best deal I've found so far, and they seem to do good work. Haven't seen any complaints at all, but then I also have only found a few reviews.

kayfranz82

Try A Crystal Clear (www.accsvp.com).  They have great prices and I've seen some of their work around Pittsburgh.  I'm the MOH in a Pittsburgh wedding AND I'm using them for my wedding, too!

Flowerstar1023

You may get what you pay for (although I don't actually think that's the case on something where the individual vendor sets the prices), but wedding budgets exist for a reason - because you have so much money to do x, y, and z with. Starting a marriage in debt because of a wedding day just seems like a headache. Yes, you can skimp elsewhere to have more money for a photographer, but at the end of the day, unless your family or you have very deep pockets, money is limited and doesn't actually grow on trees - even for a wedding.

OP, also be willing to negotiate what exactly you want from a photographer. Do you need 8 hours or can you get the shots you want in 6? Do you want the rights, but don't care so much if the photographer has albums? You may be able to whittle down some of the larger packages photographers have by eliminating "product credits" from the package. Some will work with you in a more a la carte fashion, others are of the philosophy "take it or leave it." My attitude is that if you're paying someone for a service, it should be about what you actually want - not a lot of extras that aren't meaningful to you.

cgyvhu

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_photographer-stress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:116Discussion:70bb7f4f-ba9d-410d-95b5-63d0ba717669Post:31473539-06d6-401b-bb46-8b6c668f246f">Re: Photographer stress</a>:
[QUOTE] OP, also be willing to negotiate what exactly you want from a photographer. Do you need 8 hours or can you get the shots you want in 6? Do you want the rights, but don't care so much if the photographer has albums?
Posted by Flowerstar1023[/QUOTE]

CCH wasn't trying to imply that money grows on trees, imo.  She's just been around here long enough to know that some people thought they were getting great deals by going with craigslist photographers, and then when women got subpar quality photos they were devastated...and it's not something you can re-do.

I like the idea of getting a more established photographer but asking for a smaller customized package that fits your budget.  I'll also re-post an old thread that has some more suggestions for you (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_fi-hates-photos?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:116Discussion:109f6f82-ab29-401b-a59a-0c5a4cf0c745Post:64719891-e359-4851-9b0d-e21d2ba6057a%29">http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_fi-hates-photos?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:116Discussion:109f6f82-ab29-401b-a59a-0c5a4cf0c745Post:64719891-e359-4851-9b0d-e21d2ba6057a)</a>

one suggestion: if you DO go with a craigslist/unestablished photographer with few online reviews (you cant trust website testimonials, b/c they could just be writing those themselves), ask to see ALL the unedited images from one or two weddings.  They should be happy to provide it for you - my (pretty well established) photog did.  And I could see how many photos she really takes at a wedding, and how many were high quality and how many were not.  It played a huge role in my decision making - everyone's online portfolios tend to look the same because everyone pulls their best 20 shots.

best of luck!

mm4662

We are using Caitlin Thomas. Her website is www.caitlintphotography.com We are paying about 1500 for 8 hours of wedding photography with her and her assistant and a DVD of our images!

We are also getting married at the zoo! I might be PMing you on occasion!

rose22731

i am currently looking at www.wgweddings.com

W&G Wedding photography

Did you call any of the above listed?