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Stuck between 2 photographers! How to decide which one?

KeyToHisHeart2017KeyToHisHeart2017 member
100 Love Its 10 Comments First Anniversary Name Dropper
in Chit Chat

 We are getting married on June 24, 2017. I had been talking to a photographer in the area about signing a contract with her the first week of June when I had the deposit amount. She stated she would contact me in the mean time if anyone inquired about our date. This past weekend, her husband (the 2nd shooter) went to a Bridal Show and booked our date. The couple had a question mark beside the date, so she checked with them to verify and they are 99% sure they will be using that date. Anyway, contract signed and deposit paid so nothing I can do.  She stated that we could use her for our engagements and bridals and that her daughter could shoot our wedding.

 The daughter has shot with them before (at my venue, even) and has developed their style of photography (from what I can tell in her photos) which is what I fell in love with about the original photographer. She went to college for photography and is a highly sought out photographer in the area she just moved from. She stated that she would honor the package and price I was going to book with her parents. So it will be $1995 for 8 hours of wedding day coverage, 2 photographers, 1.5 hour engagement session, and 2 hour bridal session, full rights to photos.

 While waiting for a response from her, I found another photographer in the area. Her style of photography is quite different but I like it too. Her package is originally $2699 for 10 hours of photography, 2 photographers, 1.5 hour engagement session, 2 16x24 canvases to display at the wedding, and full rights to photos. She has only shot engagements at my venue, so to build her portfolio for the venue she is offering a $400 discount. She told me that another person inquired about the date last week but hasn't followed up, so not to rush. I told her I was rushing and explained what happened with the original photographer. She then asked if I would mind telling her the package and price of original photographer, so I told her and she stated she would drop her package down to $2000 and add a 30 minute bridal session.

I really feel like the daughter has good quality pictures and the style i'm looking for , but the other photographer has such a good deal and good pictures as well. They just don't stand out as much as the daughter.

how do I make such a hard decision!?

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Re: Stuck between 2 photographers! How to decide which one?

  • thisismynickname2thisismynickname2 member
    5000 Comments Sixth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    Go with the existing portfolio you like better. Whether or not someone's shot at your venue doesn't matter much. Everyone has to have a first experience after all. You'll be happier with your photos if you're able to decide by quality rather than price.
    ________________________________


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  • southernbelle0915southernbelle0915 mod
    Moderator 10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary

    Your experience with photog #1 kind of bothers me. You have a contract and they go and book someone else over you? They're lucky their daughter is a photographer and you like her work. I'd be more uncomfortable with their apparent breach of contract and nonchalant fix (they should have offered their daughter OR to cancel their booking from the wedding expo, your choice).

    If you like both portfolio, just go with whoever you're more comfortable working with. Being comfortable with your photog goes a long way.

    Also, look at your timeline. 10 hours vs. 8 hours could be the deciding factor right there.

    *********************************************************************************

    image
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  • KeyToHisHeart2017KeyToHisHeart2017 member
    100 Love Its 10 Comments First Anniversary Name Dropper
    @thisismynickname that was a big thought "id rather have good quality pictures than a good deal on them"

    @southernbelle0915 we didn't have a contract yet. We were just discussing it and she knew I would be booking this week, her husband apparently did not.  

    I am meeting with both of them tomorrow to view a full wedding and any questions. 
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  • badbnagdwaybadbnagdway member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    KeyToHisHeart2017 said:
    @thisismynickname that was a big thought "id rather have good quality pictures than a good deal on them"

    @southernbelle0915 we didn't have a contract yet. We were just discussing it and she knew I would be booking this week, her husband apparently did not.  

    I am meeting with both of them tomorrow to view a full wedding and any questions. 
    Looking at start to finish set of photos is a great way to decide. Most professional photographers can get a few really great shots, but you want someone who is going to capture all the big and small moments with proficiency. 
    image
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  • lnixon8lnixon8 member
    500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 500 Comments Name Dropper
    When deciding, focus on pictures you will print out, especially of you and your VIPs. You will be much happier with pictures where you and your H(W?) look good rather than dreamy photos of your cake, bouquet and shoes.


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  • photokittyphotokitty mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its

    If you had asked on the photo and video board you might have more responses, just a friendly FYI :)

    Here is my canned response that I keep on hand:

    Here's my quick suggestions…
    - Look for a number of wedding, not just one good wedding. Look at the composition of the photos.
    - Take a good look at group photos, everyone LOVES the photojournalistic poses of the B&G - but they often overlook the group images. You know the one of your whole family that you mom wants on the mantle. Don't get caught up in the still life pics - anyone can put a ring on a heel of a pretty shoe or take a photo of a dress in a window - just tell them you want it.
    - Ask about back up cameras. What type of lenses do they prefer and why. How do they deal with lighting.
    - Do they have experience at your venue?
    - Do they offer Second shooters?
    - Do you get the digital rights? Do you get ALL the photos or how many? Are they edited? What does edited mean to them? How big will you be able to print them/ how large will the files be?
    - What's the turn around time.
    - And above all - are you comfortable around them??

    When you look at their portfolio pay attention to the average looking couples with average venues. Some people are so gorgeous every photo looks amazing, I'm not one of those people so I like to look at images a more real couple when critiquing. I also look at photos of a location isn't over the top gorgeous, like the couple, a location that is so stunning that every photo looks like a postcard isn't going to help unless you are getting married at the same location- KWIM?

    Consider these things to start when selecting a photog and ask on your local board for recommendations. Also search for reviews of ones your considering. GL!

    :kiss: ~xoxo~ :kiss:

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  • ILoveBeachMusicILoveBeachMusic member
    Tenth Anniversary 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    photokitty said:

    If you had asked on the photo and video board you might have more responses, just a friendly FYI :)

    Here is my canned response that I keep on hand:

    Here's my quick suggestions…
    - Look for a number of wedding, not just one good wedding. Look at the composition of the photos.
    - Take a good look at group photos, everyone LOVES the photojournalistic poses of the B&G - but they often overlook the group images. You know the one of your whole family that you mom wants on the mantle. Don't get caught up in the still life pics - anyone can put a ring on a heel of a pretty shoe or take a photo of a dress in a window - just tell them you want it.
    - Ask about back up cameras. What type of lenses do they prefer and why. How do they deal with lighting.
    - Do they have experience at your venue?
    - Do they offer Second shooters?
    - Do you get the digital rights? Do you get ALL the photos or how many? Are they edited? What does edited mean to them? How big will you be able to print them/ how large will the files be?
    - What's the turn around time.
    - And above all - are you comfortable around them??

    When you look at their portfolio pay attention to the average looking couples with average venues. Some people are so gorgeous every photo looks amazing, I'm not one of those people so I like to look at images a more real couple when critiquing. I also look at photos of a location isn't over the top gorgeous, like the couple, a location that is so stunning that every photo looks like a postcard isn't going to help unless you are getting married at the same location- KWIM?

    Consider these things to start when selecting a photog and ask on your local board for recommendations. Also search for reviews of ones your considering. GL!

    Definitely agree with the bolded! DD's photographer did a great job with photos of her and H. However, I don't have one good picture of our family together though! Even the ones of the WP aren't all that good. She didn't pay attention to how jackets and dresses were laying. Most of the GM's jackets looked "bunchy" in the pictures. I didn't have any input into the choice of photog. If I had been at the meetings, I definitely would have focused on those group pictures.
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