Looking for a photographer and DJ

LinD25 · February 2012

Hi all!

I'm new to this site and have found so many helpful things! I am currently looking for a photographer and DJ that fit in my budget. I would like to have 2 shooters, but understand if the budget does not allow that. I also do not need an engagement session so I might be able to negotiate with that. I would like to spend no more than $1,000. I would like the DJ to be able to provide some ceremony music and keep the guests on the dance floor for the reception. A photo booth would be great, but it's probably not in my budget. I would like to spend no more than $1,000 on the DJ as well. I'm hoping there are companies out there that provide great work for the prices, but I realize this might not be possible. If you know of quotes around 1500, I'll take those too. The date I'm shooting for is August 8, 2012. Thanks in advance!

phoenix307 · February 2012

That's the budget I started with for both and found that I had to blow both of them. Even for $2,000 I couldn't get a second photographer. I am using Hawk's Photography and he really is negotiable with his packages and will work to your budget so its worth it to see what he is offering!

We are also using Local Motion in East Haven. We have seen them at a few weddings and they are great! His overall package is $1,495. If you want to use me as a referral he may work with you on the price. Send me a PM if you'd like! =]

Good luck!

MichelleBee773 · February 2012

Hi LinD! Welcome to the CT boards!

For the DJ, I honestly think you can find somenoe for under $1,000. We are using a personal friend John Hart that owns his own DJ company. His number is 203-314-4292. You can tell him Corey and Eric referred you. He will hook you up!

For a photographer, two shooters for $1,000 is going to be hard to find if you want quality work (at least in my opinion). I would suggest Eric Brushett (www.ericbrushett.com). His packages start at $1,999, but he can build a custom package for you within your budget. He really helped me get everything I want without compromising our budget. Another photographer has been mentioned on the boards for $850 a wedding, but I haven't reviewed her work at all. Might be worth a look. Sorry I forget her name.

Because your wedding is relatively close, if vendors still have the date available you may be able to negotiate with them on price. They most likely won't be booking any more August dates, so try and use that as leverage.

If you cannot afford a full-time professional photographer, consider contacting a local college or university for a soon-to-be photography graduate. They usually charge significantly less because they want the experience. A college student may not be able to design you an album, but you could get lots of photos! Paier College of Art and Albertus Magnus College would be good places to start.

Sorry this is super long! I am avoiding the pile of work on my desk

Hope it is helpful info.

cdbishop · February 2012

I just looked on DJae Melees website and he is still open for your date. http://www.musicbymelee.com/Calendar.html He is highly recommended on this board and will be under $1000.

As for photographer, the person the PP was speaking of for $850 it is Krista. Her website is www.CTphotographybykrista.com . It looks like she has a DJ Photographer package as well.

LinD25 · February 2012

Thanks ladies! I figured they were low ballparks, but I have to start somewhere and work from there. I'll look into those vendors you listed and if I need more information I'll contact you with a private message.

Thanks again!

LinD25 · February 2012

Oh geez, I just realized I wrote the wrong date! August 10th not the 8th. Dj Melee is out. I heard many great things about him too!

LinD25 · February 2012

I've heard Krista mentioned before, but does anyone actually know any brides who have used her? I have just seen that same person posting over an over again about her, but that was really it.

tikki80 · February 2012

Check out Shannon from MiaPaigepgotography! She is willing to work with in you budgets. Good luck!

Mandafly84 · February 2012

DJ - absolutely look at Zach Dauphinais! He will definitely fit in your price range.
www.musictogoct.com

amymaysa · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_looking-for-a-photographer-and-dj?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:1ed1739a-b77d-4512-8696-81c54036af2fPost:869575bf-cf07-40af-9e86-3b6de2da959e">Re: Looking for a photographer and DJ</a>:
[QUOTE]I've heard Krista mentioned before, but does anyone actually know any brides who have used her? I have just seen that same person posting over an over again about her, but that was really it.
Posted by LinD25[/QUOTE

I had noticed that too when the person posted about her last week...Her website did look legit.

Good luck!

cdbishop · February 2012

I was the one who first said she was a vendor last week and the post was removed as it was reported, but the poster responded saying she isn't a vendor. I don't know anyone, besides that poster, who has used Krista, but her website and portfolio does seem pretty good.

MoonlightSilver · February 2012

Too bad DJae Melee is booked, he's a great DJ and well under your price.

I don't know any photographers that you can get 2 photogs for under $1,000. I'm using Studio1923, who I believe is well, well worth the high price, but you might not be willing to go that far off budget. You might have some luck looking into craigslist for photography students, though doing that is always a risk since many haven't worked on weddings before.

Good luck!

mrsjmwolfe · February 2012

We were able to book both for approx. $1700. We are using Student Budget Photography. It's not ideal, but photography isn't overly important to us. Their info is under local vendors. Greg is super nice.. two photographers.. only $500 because they are students/people who do it on the side. If photography is really important to you this option probably won't do, but their work was nice and was well within our budget.

For our DJ we used Gary Sherrick out of Milford. He charges $1200.. less if you don't want props, a DJ and an emcee, and lighting. He's fabulous and did a lot of other events for my family and I. He does it on the side, so I can PM you his info if you want.

Good luck!

pokey730 · February 2012

I recently found Max Aureli photography. If I sign the contract, I'm getting unlimited hours, rights to photos, e-session, and a second shooter for 1600. He did give me a discount because I have a friday March wedding, but he seems extremely reasonable for the quality. Email him, he'll probably be able to work with you. Here's a link to his wedding pics:

http://www.maxaureli.com/weddings

In other news...no one knows if this Krista woman is legit? It seems too good to be true. The lack of an "about me" section on her website set off red flags for me. Along with not being able to find anything about her on google was suspicious. Shame, the pics are amazing at that price point.

marisathomas611 · February 2012

Hi All-

I am new here, I checked out Krista's work, I can't believe she is so reasonable! To answer the first post though I did see she had a Photographer & DJ package for $1350 (also really reasonable) seemed WAY too good to be true though so I contacted her, cause I also wanted to see if she had a second shooter available. She already wrote me back, which was nice and told me for $1750 I could have her, a second shooter, and the DJ, so again to the original poster, that seems within your budget right?? You should check her out, she seemed really sweet in her e-mail. Also, in her message back it said her last name was Howard, have any of you thought of checking her out on facebook??

kls114 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_looking-for-a-photographer-and-dj?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:65Discussion:1ed1739a-b77d-4512-8696-81c54036af2fPost:d509d741-dca2-4f0e-aa29-e6b2910bf410">Re: Looking for a photographer and DJ</a>:
[QUOTE]Check out Shannon from MiaPaigepgotography! She is willing to work with in you budgets. Good luck!
Posted by tikki80[/QUOTE]

Welcome to the board!!
Ditto to Shannon from MiaPaige--she is awesome!!!
<a href="http://www.miapaigephotography.com" rel="nofollow">www.miapaigephotography.com</a>

Also, Fotoriginals is amazing to work with too!
<a href="http://www.fotoriginals.com" rel="nofollow">www.fotoriginals.com</a>

Whtara10 · February 2012

check out michelle ferro at ferrophoto.com she is awesome and should have packages that fit your budget

KFAW63012 · February 2012

I'm using Photique Photography. So far, I'm thrilled!! He is definietly in your budget.

SteveAndSara2005 · February 2012

Hi! for photos I'm using Marisa from Sassy Mouth Photography, Her prices have gone up a little since I booked but I believe she is 175 an hour, or 1300 for 6 hours or something like that.. But she was also willing to work with us. She has the best personality, and takes amazing pictures! She also gets pictures back quickly.

(My SIL used MiaPaige Photography and I HIGHY DO NOT recommend, she's been married for 6 months and haven't gotten her pictures back yet, she told them they would have them for Xmas, to make xmas cards. They still don't have them. And I think she was 1700$. I'm not sure of other brides experiences with her. On a good note, their engagement pictures were beautiful and she did them.)

We are also using Gary Sherrick of Milford. He was definitely willing to work with in our budget of 700$ for DJ

Joe from DJ Internationals in Watertown charges 750$ for a basic package as DJ and Emcee and he brings a second person.

Hope that helps! Happy planning!

SteveAndSara2005 · February 2012

Hi! for photos I'm using Marisa from Sassy Mouth Photography, Her prices have gone up a little since I booked but I believe she is 175 an hour, or 1300 for 6 hours or something like that.. But she was also willing to work with us. She has the best personality, and takes amazing pictures! She also gets pictures back quickly.

(My SIL used MiaPaige Photography and I HIGHY DO NOT recommend, she's been married for 6 months and haven't gotten her pictures back yet, she told them they would have them for Xmas, to make xmas cards. They still don't have them. And I think she was 1700$. I'm not sure of other brides experiences with her. On a good note, their engagement pictures were beautiful and she did them.)

We are also using Gary Sherrick of Milford. He was definitely willing to work with in our budget of 700$ for DJ

Joe from DJ Internationals in Watertown charges 750$ for a basic package as DJ and Emcee and he brings a second person.

Hope that helps! Happy planning!

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