Photographers and DJs

ashleyandcj · January 2010

So the wedding is July 3 and we still have yet to book a photographer and dj. I am trying to find both that are good but are cheaper. Does anyone have any suggestions? Most of the photographers I find are about $1500. DJs go anywhere from $600-$1300.

reannalynne · January 2010

Where is your wedding going to be at? How long do you want the photographer for? Do you want pre-wedding getting ready pics too or just the ceremony, reception, and formal pics?

JennyBee1018 · January 2010

Check into Dino Bovo, his all digitial package is only $949.

My DJ was a friend of mine, and I don't feel comfortable giving out his info on here. He was $600 for me I think. Email me if you want his info.

And no offense, but obviously you wish your FI's dad had not lost his job. Are there things you can do to scale back at the Rivers Club? Lessed passed apps or different alcohol package? Just a thought.

KimWard · January 2010

Definitely check out the Recommended Vendors list under the "Welcome to the Pittsburgh board" sticky post (top of the board, third one down I believe). Not sure the price of some of the vendors on the list, but it's worth a look. My DJ was David Vint, and he charged about $595 I believe (had him for 6 hours). He doesn't have a website, but I can get you his phone # when I get home if you are interested.

I'm sorry to hear of your future father in-law's job loss. My best advice is, even though you are having the reception downtime, try to find vendors based in the suburbs. It's not always true, but often vendors based in downtown Pittsburgh seem more pricey.

jrsygrl10 · January 2010

the rivers club is actually pretty reasonable, given the area and their package (it was one of our narrowed down choices).

we used dj bill bara. he doesn't charge overtime and comes with digital music (instead of CD's). i know the rivers club lets you stay as long/late as you want, so i wasnt sure if you were considering having an extended reception due to that perk.

good luck.

ashleyandcj · January 2010

KimWard- I am interested in getting your dj David Vints information. Thank you for your help.

KimWard · January 2010

Ok, I'll private message you with his info when I get home. We were pleased with him overall. He was hard to get ahold of earlier on in the planning process, but I was able to talk with him with no problem the couple of weeks before the wedding to finalize details. He kept the reception on track, and the dance floor alive.

kwynn · January 2010

I took a look at Micahgrace's website and contract.

A few things stand out to me as noteworthy. I'm not saying that you shouldn't use this vendor, just that you may consider Dino and other vendors listed above.

1. There are several grammatical/spelling mistakes in the contract.

2. The provides a DVD of selected shots with music that you choose. Unless he/she has licensed this music, this practice is copyright infringement.

3. His first page of his website offers photography for $500; you are saying $600. He has it listed both ways on his site.

4. Photography ends at 10pm, which isn't very late. Will your reception be over by then? After that, he charges $100/hr.

5. I don't see many examples of his photography ability at all on his site. Where is the gallery of images?

6. I don't judge totally on a website. One of my vendors had a basic, old-fashioned website and did a FABULOUS job. But I also knew this vendor personally. I don't like the style of this photog's website and therefore, don't like the style of photography. Only you can decide if you like the work.

HTH!

ashleyandcj · January 2010

Thank you for your opinion. Those were my thoughts on it too.. I really want to save money but at the same time I want to get my moneys worth. I am going to rule micah grace out. Thank you for helping me do that!

kwynn · January 2010

What is your budget? Is Dino out of your budget at $900-1000?

If you specify what you are looking to spend, we might be able to help you further. My photog was grat, but he is probably around 2k at a minimum.

Another problem you are going to run into is that less expensive photogs book up quickly, so some may be booked for your date.

Who all have you looked at and ruled out?

CLW102409 · January 2010

My photog's assistant is going out on her own, her name is carson grey...she is amazing!!! You may want to check her out... http://www.carsongreyphotography.com/

She may be willing to work within your price range if the date is available! GL

jrsygrl10 · January 2010

that's quite a budget for photo's. maybe you should check craigs list or place a flyer at the art institute for budding photographers?

my sister used to do weddings while finishing up at school, and she would charge $700ish. but she also didn't have the wedding "eye" so she charged only as much as she really needed for the editting process, materials and for her time.

kwynn · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_photographers-djs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:116Discussion:f239faf7-68f2-4a72-a533-9c4256fd4a82Post:38fe8569-a949-4cd8-be56-15bac4c36115">Re: Photographers and DJs</a>:
[QUOTE]kwynn- I looked at Dino and my date is not open. I would like to get somewhere around $1000. In the beginning we were thinking of letting my future father in law do the photography and dj. Being that he is the father of the groom we think that might be too much. He is also the best man. I would like to even get someone who will take pictures and give them to us on a cd. We can print them from that.
Posted by ashleyandcj[/QUOTE]

1k is about the lowest I've ever seen in the Pittsburgh area for a photog. You could check on Craigslist, I agree with that from jrsygirl. However, most photogs charging less than 1k will probably be booked for that day.

If your FIL is a photog, does he have any friends that would be willing to do it and help out?

E.C. Gruden is $800 for a small 4 hour package.
<a href="http://www.ecgruden.com" rel="nofollow">www.ecgruden.com</a>

I know that you can page knottie *NuNu.* She used a student and it was very inexpensive.

Did you ask Dino for any recommendations for friends of his that may not be booked and may be in your price range?

If you go to Craigslist and post under "Gigs" stating exactly what you are seeking, you might find someone to put in a bid to you there.

jrsygrl10 · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_photographers-djs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:116Discussion:f239faf7-68f2-4a72-a533-9c4256fd4a82Post:fc8be833-8dd6-4003-b4ce-b209faecd6f8">Re: Photographers and DJs</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Photographers and DJs : 1k is about the lowest I've ever seen in the Pittsburgh area for a photog. You could check on Craigslist, I agree with that from jrsygirl. <strong>However, most photogs charging less than 1k will probably be booked for that day</strong>.Posted by kwynn[/QUOTE]

agreed. it's fairly late in the game to be booking a photographer, especially for a july wedding, right in the middle of wedding season. you might want to act quickly on this. yikes, not only is it wedding season, but a holiday weekend. whoever you find you better book them quick. wedding season + saturday + holiday wknd = hard to book.

reannalynne · January 2010

www.furnacehillphoto.com

i used them and aside from a couple personal issues they were great to work with and i think my pics turned out really well. they have i think 12 different packages and mine was $1250. the cheapest is $750.

http://www.furnacehillphoto.com/content/pdfs/weddings.pdf <---price list.

if you want to see my pics, go to www.furnacehillphoto.com, click on view in this window, then sessions at the top. my session ID is jroberts_fhp

reannalynne · January 2010

Oh, also you get 2 photographer coverage with furnace hill photography.

kwynn · January 2010

To the original poster, what are you willing to compromise on?

For example, how many hours of coverage can you make do with?

Also, you said you wanted the reprint release and photos on a CD. Are you willing to compromise on that at all? That usually adds $400+ to your pricing because the photog is not making money from reprints.

I checked out Furnace Hill and it looks good. The minimum package for $750 is only the ceremony or only the reception.

If you want coverage of both plus reprint rights, Furnace Hill's package would be $1200 with no prints or albums plus 6% sales tax. You do get two photographers with any package, which is great.

I think the idea of having your FIL do anything besides be a guest/best man that day is not a good one, personally.

Did you check out all the photogs listed at the top of the page? Go to the Welcome to the Pittsburgh board and read it; we have all the recommended vendors up there.

HTH!

LisaS1010 · January 2010

My photographer is $1,100 for 10 hours and full re-printing rights. I'm not getting any photoalbums or prints, but I didn't really want them.

Please let me know if you want his information!

ros3392 · January 2010

Love my photographer! I am having her for 8 hours, and her price includes a dvd of all of the pictures with rights for $950. Please message me if you want her info. I need to ask her if she is ok with me posting her website on boards!

reannalynne · January 2010

I know a student that will do wedding photos, also, but i am not sure of all the details. if you want her information let me know!

Carianne09 · January 2010

We used Todd Micahel Photography and he was around $3,700, but we had all day coverage with 2 photographers. I had over 800 photos to pick from. He just sent me a preview of the actual album yesterday. It's awesome. He uses a publisher from Italy and was well worth the money. You get what you pay for.

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