Hi everyone - I just want to preface this that I am NOT a vendor. I'm an ex-knottie, having gotten married at the end of 2009. I like to pop in on these boards to offer advice and share in my experiences with vendors and help out with any lessons learned and with any deals I get in my Inbox (see my many PSA postings).
I just wanted to share this for knotties who just got engaged and are in the process of looking for photographers. I know this process can be frustrating and the prices are pretty hefty here in the Chicagoland area.
I'm now a first time mom and subscribe to a deal site called Mamapedia. Recently there was a deal for child portraits for $99 by a photographer I had not heard of and I had been doing a lot of research for child photographers and asking wedding photographers if they do portrait work. I decided to call the guy and determine if he was a newbie or someone with experience.
It turns out that he is new to Chicago but is a seasoned photographer having done work in Ann Arbor and Denver where he used to live. He's been in the business since 2003 and trying to break into the wedding market here in Chicago having just moved here. He has second photographers so it's just not him shooting.
I just met him in person yesterday and saw his work - his wedding packages are really reasonable for the Chicago market (he provides digital rights and unlimited time to boot!) and thought I would give him a shout out here since I know some of the same photographers are recommended here (not that there is anything wrong with it, but I know they book up fast). His work is extremely good (this was also confirmed by another well known Chicago photographer who was with me when I met with him for lunch).
His all inclusive wedding package is $2500 and his base is $800 with ala carte items (all of this can be found on his website). For the record I have booked him for my LO's 1 year old shoot and birthday party in October so I am a customer!
I think this is a perfect opportunity for new knotties to book someone of his caliber and not break the budget - I think I lucked out this way with my wedding vendors. (There is no way today I could book Stillmotion for my wedding let alone afford their pricing these days!)
Sorry this is so long but I wanted to give you "my story" of how I came across him and to convince you that I am NOT a vendor nor am I being compensated in anyway to recommend him (I get nada but the satisfaction of helping out someone new to the Chicago market).
If you are in the market for a photographer please check out Kyle Murphy Photography and his blog (he posted about his Mamapedia deal, which is how I found him in the first place). He doesn't have a lot of "Chicago" location shots, but I'm sure he will start booking fast once the word is out!
http://www.knmportraits.com/#http://knmportraits.blogspot.com/