Was your photographer worth it?

Re: Was your photographer worth it?

• LauraT25

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  My point of view was that of all of the things we spent money on, the photography was the one that we would still have years later, and it also captured all of the other things we'd planned, stressed over, etc.  It was important to me to have pictures that we loved, that captured everything - even moments we missed that day.  We didn't go over-the-top with our photographer, but a lot of the super cheap ones seemed unreliable to me, and I was worried about not having someone show up, not getting pictures, or having awful pictures that I never wanted to look at again.  Maybe I was just paranoid from too many TK horror stories.

  
  

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• laura4220

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  we were just married in Nov. and at first we thought we could get a friend to take photos because anyone can take photos, right??  Well, we ended up hiring a fabulous and affordable photographer.  He was worth every penny and he was extremely professional and unintrusive like some. We didn't even know he was there  Dan Nystedt, daniel@nystedtphotography.  He gave us a disc and we are able to copy the photos we want when we want them.  Photos are great because the day really goes by so fast it really hard to keep track of every minute of the actual day.  He got so many great shots that we have sent to family and friends.
  
  Bottom line is I would say you want to seal the memories of that day for the rest of your life.   Many years from now you will look at photos and say remember when with a smile on your face.  I do it now when I look at our photos and we got married 2 months ago.

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• fallbride1109 member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  Come join us on the DFW board--we can give you lots of great recs.
  
  But to answer your question, yes, my photographer was worth every penny.  She is on the mid to higher range for our area but I've been married over a year and we still look at our pics all the time and love every one of them.  She was also invaluable to me on my wedding day when my event planner bailed.  She bustled my dress, pinned flowers, kept us on schedule, everything. 
  
  But photography was very important to us so we budgeted more for it. 

  Planning the Meal
  With All the Trimmings
  

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• sblack4222011 member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  Besides the food, photography cost the most out of our wedding.  I knew right away that I wanted good, memorable pictures on our wedding day.  Our photographers are very personable and want to customize their pictures to our personalities.  We just got our engagment pictures back and there are absolutely fabulous!  And I know our wedding pictures are going to mean so much more to us than our engagement pictures.  I can't wait to see them. 
  You don't have to spend a large amount of money on a good photographer.  But a good, dependable photographer is completely worth it!
  

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• josephnorris

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  Yes. Spend the money. It's an investment, not a purchase. In the big picture you are investing in memories for your children & their kids. The better the quality of photography, the better the memories.

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• sprat85 member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  I was very concerned about getting a good photographer as these are the only way you will be able to see everything that occurred at your wedding.  Also, these are the things that will help you remember your wedding for the rest of your life.  The best advice I was given by my wedding planner was to find a photographer whose pictures "spoke" to you.  If you like their pictures that much of other people think how much you will like them when they are of you.  So if you are happy with the way the cheaper photographer does their photos you should be fine.  But, yes I my photographer was worth every penny (including the second photographer). 

  

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• [Deleted User]

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  Without a doubt, worth every penny. I have seen some absolutely horrible wedding pictures out there and I knew I wanted to be able to remember that day by looking at gorgeous pictures. Hire someone who has some experience and knows what they're doing. Don't go cheap, you don't have to hire the absolute best but at least hire a professional that meets your style & taste. This will prevent an album full of cheesy 80's poses!

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• hardinglc

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  Hi there!

   elimurray photography is a great photographer. He is based out of Little Rock, AR  and he does travel. He has done several of my friends' weddings and the pictures are just beautiful! I would recommend him to anyone. He is reasonably priced too! You can check him out at elimurray.com His blog has his current work. Facebook also has his current work. Good luck and Congrats!

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• Princesslilyluv member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  What is the amount of a reasonable photographer? I found one that will cost $4800. I think thats crazy, but it has been the least expensive one I found. I am just curious of the thoughts about this. Thanks.

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• CvilleClaire member

  

  January 2011 edited December 2011

  Prices are all over the map.  The easiest way to compare is to start sending emails to different photogs to get their packages and rates. 
  
  In my area, I feel that there is a distinct difference in the portfolios of the $1000-$3000 group vs. the $3000-6000 group.  I'm going for a smaller package with a more expensive (and IMO, more talented) photographer because of what I saw in the portfolios.
  
  Of course, if photography isn't your thing and all the portfolios look the same to you and your FI, then you probably don't have to splurge.
  

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