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Affordable but GOOD photographer?

paigef11paigef11 member
100 Comments
in Colorado-Denver
So FI and I have to pay for the wedding ourselves and are on a VERY tight budget, but are still trying to pull off the wedding we really want. One of the most important things to us is the photographer, since that's all we'll have to show for the day besides each other. The problem is that every photographer who's portfolio I've really liked has started out around $2,000 for basic packages. Have you all found that to be the norm? FI insists that we're not spending more than $1,000 on a photog, which I think is reasonable, but I'm having a really hard time finding someone who can take decent pics and not just the standard cheesy posed pics. I want lots of candids and those special moments where you think no one else is watching! Am I being unrealistic!?! If anyone has any tips/suggestions/recommendations, I would appreciate it! And has anyone used Alex Stewart Photography? He was recommended to me by Porchlight Images after I discovered they were out of my budget. Thanks in advance, ladies!!!  
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Re: Affordable but GOOD photographer?

  • Jade0085Jade0085 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hey there! Tasha Christensen of Painted Chair Photography is awesome!! She is doing my engagement pics in October and just did my brother's photos. I love her work! I'm not sure how much the wedding package is, but I remember thinking it was reasonable. If you google painted chair photography it's the first site. Good luck!!
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  • layla1704layla1704
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    DH and I were on a tight pay-for-the-wedding-ourselves budget as well. One area I refused to skimp on was photography though. I cut corners everywhere else so I could have a great photographer. That extra 1k is going to make a huge difference quite honestly. There is a TON of time work that goes into making those images beautiful and I really believe you get what you pay for. There are girls on this board that went with the more affordable options and really regret it so my advice would be to try to make it work and get who you really want. DH and I got 2nd jobs during the holiday season before our wedding and were able to make an additional 3k to put towards wedding expenses.
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  • CMMatzaCMMatza
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hi, I love my photographer, Nina Barry, you can google her "nina barry photography. We are paying 1300 dollars for five hours and all the rights to our photos, her blog is awesome.
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  • paigef11paigef11 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks so much for the info, ladies! Keep it coming! :)
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  • Meg.elizMeg.eliz
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We used Real Photography and LOVED the pictures we got back, but for a cheaper options I would check out Melissa Beck Photography. She shot our wedding with Traci from Real Photography and I think she charges $1300. My SIL is actuallly booking her for next summer I think.
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  • me2reanme2rean
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    As pp said, if I had to do it again I wouldn't have skimped in the photographer area. I also tried to stay under the $1000 marker and now regret my choice. I think something you should always ask a photographer is to look at someone's ENTIRE wedding, otherwise you're just looking at the photos that are their best. If you can up your budget to $1500 I think you could find someone that is still reasonable but will give you the photos you deserve.
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  • alora365alora365
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We have absolutely loved ours, Lindsayjphoto dot com. She has been doing photo journalism for a number of years and is transitioning into weddins. Still waiting on the wedding days pics but we loved our engagement pics and she was absolutely amazing the day of the wedding. I mean reminding me to eat amazing. Amazing to the point of me seeing something happening and wishing she were shooting it and there she was. People are still talking about how great she was weeks later. We booked her for $500 after finding her on Craigslist. I think her prices for next summer have gone up to about $1000 but you have complete printing rights and she tones EVERYTHING which she then sends you on CD. Good luck!
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  • natesdarlingnatesdarling member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    we were SOOOO happy with Rennard Photography! our photographers were are best decision in booking our wedding :) they are very creative and a great price!
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  • canary11canary11 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    fyi- Melissa Beck starts out at 1900 for weddings in Denver and starts out at 4000 for the mountains.
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  • smallsmp8smallsmp8
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Scott Cejka. I LOVE his work and he is $1500 including a disc of all of your pictures and an engagement session. Type his name into google. Click on the first listing and go to his blog to see his work.
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  • COkristiCOkristi member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I also booked Lindsay J at Alora's suggestion (thanks!). Our wedding is May 2010 and I believe the package is $1000. I fully expect her prices to go way up once she establishes herself here (she's new to CO). Our meeting was great and I can't wait to work with her! I think her photojournalist background will be great for the type of photos we want. GL!
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  • paigef11paigef11 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    UPDATE! The Alex Stewart guy ended up sending me a before and after editing sample - TG, because it was NOT up to par. The picture looked better before he edited! I'm so glad I saw that because I may have ended up in the slammer if that was the result of my wedding day pics. I really do appreciate the advice/recommendations! The pp that said to ask to see a WHOLE wedding rather than the best of pics is a genius. I always wonder about that (I like their "gallery", but just how good is the overall work?), but never actually thought to ask to see it all! Alora and Kristi - I just came across Courtnay J via craigslist today and added her to my list! Thanks again! And yes, still keep them coming. I can never have enough advice! :)
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  • JmefeJmefe
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We used Porchlight Images.  Ryan and Stacy were amazing.  The package we got was very affordable and they do great work.  You also get two photographers and they did not have time limits.  They were at our wedding from pretty much start to finish.  We had such a fun time with them at our wedding and we will be using them again in the future for family pictures when that time comes. 
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  • KariMichaelKariMichael member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We also used Real Photography. I haven't seen my images yet, but i know they will be worth it. Your pictures are the one thing you take away from your wedding day. They trap your memories forever and IMO are the one thing you should NOT skimp on. I'd look at your overall budget and then list your top 3 things. My guess photography will be in those and therefore deserves an honest chunk of $. Think about the wedding you've been to, what do you remember? chances are, not much. there are a LOT of areas you can cut out that go unnoticed anyway. do a few things really well, the other things dont matter.
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  • RavenBrookeRavenBrooke
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Try Sherri Sharp (719) 260-7479.
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