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Inexpensive Photographer in Pittsburgh Area

ta2nya2ta2nya2 member
10 Comments
in Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh
Hello everyone!

I was wondering if anyone could help me out with finding a photographer that is decent but not going to cost an arm and a leg to hire for our Wedding. We are getting married June 2011 and totally on our own for paying for everything. So it's got to be in our budget. I am trying to keep the price around $1,000 give or take a few, and we are looking at possibly a ceremony and reception in Saxonburg area if anyone knows where that is. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks so much and I hope to hear from anyone!

Thanks again!
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Re: Inexpensive Photographer in Pittsburgh Area

  • Pirata13Pirata13
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My friend Lauren does awesome work and her prices are reasonable.  You can check out her photo packages/prices at her website:

    http://www.laurenzurchinstudios.com/

    I think a couple of our e-pics are in some of her public view albums, but if you want to see more, click on "View & Order" at bottom right, and for event code & password, enter jodylynn.  There are 2 pages of photos, the page #s are at top right, kind of hidden. Feel free to look. She's very easy to work with!
    Crosswalk
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  • mrsjmj0917mrsjmj0917
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Check out Beth Insalaco. She's a newer photographer - takes AMAZING pictures and is well within your budget.
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  • ros3392ros3392 member
    Ninth Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Check out Caroline Moore! She's does more of a journalistic type of photopgrahy, but her prices are great.

    http://blog.mooreclick.com/
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  • jlbaxter33jlbaxter33
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thank you for this post, I need recommendations too!
    RT + JB
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    The only item I will not compromise on...my bouquet of all purple tulips wrapped in a swatch from my Mom's wedding dress.
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  • missyt180missyt180 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Agree with jlbaxter, thanks for the post, I needed this as well!
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  • ta2nya2ta2nya2 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks so much girls for the info I am def going to check out the websites this evening and tomorrow. I do appreciate it!  It's tough looking at photographers because I want someone that's going to do a good job but not go broke in the process....
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  • july16pghbridejuly16pghbride member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ones I've found so far are Dino Bovo and PIttsburgh Imagery.  They seem to have nice prices and images.  You could also check craigslist, but you may be getting and amatuer.  Hope this helps.  I'm still looking and deciding.

    JS
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  • punk-Nesspunk-Ness
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm using Elle Bee, her packages are within your price range.
    http://www.ellebee-photography.com/

    One of my coworkers recently got married and used Catchlight. I really liked her pics.
    http://catchlight-photo.com/
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  • kwynnkwynn
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My advice would be to act fast in booking someone. The photographers who charge less always seem to book up first because everyone is looking for a deal in this recession. I just looked at several photographers mentioned above and at least one is already booked for your day, actually. (Several mentioned also list starting prices higher than your budget on their websites, but that doesn't mean you can't negotiate!)

    For under a thousand, I would say it is reasonable to expect a good amount of coverage and a DVD of high resolution photos with reprint release from a newer photographer and taxes/fees. Is that what you are looking for? I'd imagine two photographer coverage and an album would be much more.

    If photos are high priority, I'd allocate more of the budget to it. If you want the day to be photographed, but it isn't the first or second thing of importance on your list, then I'd say a thousand dollars is a good starting point.

    Dino Bovo has been recommended for years on here and everyone who uses him seems happy with his work. The photographers listed above range from excellent to new in my admittedly uneducated opinion. Not that new is bad or inexpensive is bad, many ladies here have used budget vendors with great results. When you are checking out websites/portfolios, find the worst photo. Remember, websites and portfolios show the best of the best, so realize their other photos may not be of this caliber no matter who the photog is.

    Then ask yourself: Would I be okay if my whole wedding looked like this? If so, book. If not, then don't book.

    Things to look for when reviewing portfolios in general (without going into too much technical detail):

    -Visible cars in background, parked, when it takes away from the scene
    -Random people in background that don't add to the scene, just passerby that should have been digitally removed
    -Chopped off limbs, like fingers or the tops of heads
    -Shine on faces from direct flash
    -Spelling mistakes that could show inattention to detail
    -Crazy tilts where things look like they are about to slide off the page (some tilting is great though!)
    -Awkward posing, esp if couple looks uncomfortable
    -Comprehensive contract between bride and photographer
    -Pointless photos-not detail shots or something that makes you think/feel something/tells the story of the day, but just random shots that aren't really cohesive
    -ask to see an entire wedding, start to finish, that the photog has done to see all the images you might receive

    Google the photographer thouroughly and check for reviews. Make sure they are licensed and insured and preferably have Indemnification Trust.

    HTH!


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  • greenetgreenet
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    our was james campbell- he has packages with rights for under 1000
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  • wgweddingphotographywgweddingphotography
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    check out www.wgweddings.com
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  • Ash2985Ash2985 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_inexpensive-photographer-pittsburgh-area?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:116Discussion:2a2784b7-f245-4be8-853a-8676845b0bf8Post:89cc578e-b075-4892-9c27-52dfd3d5ad49">Re: Inexpensive Photographer in Pittsburgh Area</a>:
    [QUOTE]check out <a href="http://www.wgweddings.com" rel='nofollow'>www.wgweddings.com</a>
    Posted by wgweddingphotography[/QUOTE]
    Just curious, but didn't you think that people would notice you reviving posts that are almost a year old to recommend your company?  Vendors aren't allowed (and generally are not looked upon kindly) on the Knot boards.
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