Saving Money on Wedding Photography
Anyone in Boston know a good yet inexpensive photographer? Anyone else know how to find one?
Thanks!
Kim from Boston, Ma
Feedback About This Post:
RE: Saving Money on Wedding Photography
Where I live, the photographers are super expensive too. 99% start in the $2000 range =( not including tax. I found one I liked & told him my limitations, he said that what several brides did was pay him just by the hour ($200/hr him & his wife taking photos) then bought the photo CD of every picture ($375, all very large JPEGs). He gives complete freedom to the owner of the CD to do whatever they want with the images on the CD.
My aunt who has lots of photo experience but can't come to the wedding is going to help me design a professional album afterwards at cost. (Which I verified with the chosen photographer is completely okay.) My art school sister is going to take "engagement" photos of my fiancee & I'll buy a great frame super cheap at the thrift store to put it in. Plus most photographers offer free web hosting so you can still send friends/relatives to the website & they can see all your pictures & order their few favorite shots directly. A win/win situation.
Don't be lured by fancy packages offering framed bridal portraits/engagement photos if you can do them yourself. If you only want the 'formals' & ceremony, that can usually be done in 1-2 hours.
In summary, many 'packages' are highly modifiable just ask them to take out the extras.
Post By lisa (Guest Post)
RE: Saving Money on Wedding Photography
Where I live, the photographers are super expensive too. 99% start in the $2000 range =( not including tax. I found one I liked & told him my limitations, he said that what several brides did was pay him just by the hour ($200/hr him & his wife taking photos) then bought the photo CD of every picture ($375, all very large JPEGs). He gives complete freedom to the owner of the CD to do whatever they want with the images on the CD.
My aunt who has lots of photo experience but can't come to the wedding is going to help me design a professional album afterwards at cost. (Which I verified with the chosen photographer is completely okay.) My art school sister is going to take "engagement" photos of my fiancee & I'll buy a great frame super cheap at the thrift store to put it in. Plus most photographers offer free web hosting so you can still send friends/relatives to the website & they can see all your pictures & order their few favorite shots directly. A win/win situation.
Don't be lured by fancy packages offering framed bridal portraits/engagement photos if you can do them yourself. If you only want the 'formals' & ceremony, that can usually be done in 1-2 hours. In summary, many 'packages' are highly modifiable just ask them to take out the extras.
Post By lisa (Guest Post)
RE: Saving Money on Wedding Photography
Wedding pictures are too important to leave to someone who has no experience. If you don't have much money ,call around and get one of the most inexpensive but experienced, professional wedding photographers.
Post by Lily May
RE: Saving Money on Wedding Photography
I would check with a local high school (yearbook staff) to see if they have someone who would be good for this. If it is in a small town and there is a small local newspaper, check to see if any of the staff photographers would be interested.
My daughter is getting married in August, and they bartered with a friend of the grooms to do the engagement pics and the wedding photography.
Post by lkoenig
RE: Saving Money on Wedding Photography
If you're absolutely set on having a professional, ask for a junior photographer instead of a senior. The cost is typically discounted significantly and they know nearly as much about photography. Especially if you have some idea of the photos you want to take - they will have less suggestions due to less experience.
If you're going to have multiple photographers, ask for only one senior and the rest interns. The pictures will turn out nearly as good and you will pay less than a quarter then if you have all seniors or juniors.
Also, if you can, ask for the rights to your photos. If you can afford to pay for them upfront you will save money on printing/copying them later.
What else can I add? The best advice I can give you is to have a clear idea of exactly what you want, and let them know in advance about them and that you expect the photos to be set up well. Otherwise, the person may not look at the list of photos until the day of.
Photography is always going to be a very expensive part of your wedding. You may have to cut back in another area if you don't have a friend or relative who would do it for you.
Post by cfbandit
RE: Saving Money on Wedding Photography
I did my girlfriend's wedding, and it was quite a task. I got a book on it, and discovered that there are two styles of wedding photog, one that tries to journal the whole day, and the other that does the posed group and couple photos. The second is much easier. I did both at once! I got some touching sweet moment pictures that were well worth the hours of effort. Just ask for a chance to get into the site in advance so you can see what lighting you will need to add. Your book will help with pointers on how to pose people in flattering angles. My suggestion: go get a book on wedding photography!
Post By Kim Ch (Guest Post)
RE: Saving Money on Wedding Photography
how about contacting students or teenagers at school in the 16 - 21 age bracket studying photography, im sure they would do so for a small fee
Post by cazpumpkin
RE: Saving Money on Wedding Photography
Try your local college or school of art, see if they have a photography student who might like to try their hand at wedding photography. You know starving students, money is money and they probably will charge a very reasonable fee if you throw in a meal for them.
Just a suggestion, make a list of all the MUST HAVE
photos you want and have them taken first off. Remember even a poorly set up photo can be made to look amazing at one of those Kodak photo centres I cant remember what they are called, however, they are in Walmart and drug stores etc.
I have used them to do lots of photo projects. Cropping the pictures to create some really great photographs.
All the Best to you and yours. Good Luck!
Post by hedera
RE: Saving Money on Wedding Photography
Is there a place that teaches photography in your area? Maybe one of their better students would enjoy the experience for their portfolio. Good Luck.
Post By Roz (Guest Post)
RE: Saving Money on Wedding Photography
Someone gave me this tip -- go to a photo studio and have a poised picture done in your wedding wear. This way, you will have some nice poses to hang on the wall, without a lot of money spent on having the photographer come to the event. For the candid pictures, place disposable cameras around and have your relatives take the pictures.
Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)
RE: Saving Money on Wedding Photography
I couldn't afford a professional at my Daughter's wedding but I had a nephew and his wife who had a good camera and they knew a lot about good photography.They agreed to do it,and about a week before the wedding a friend of my Daughter called and asked if a girl she went to college with could do the wedding for the experience as she was opening up a studio and wanted their photos to advertise on her website-no obligation to buy and no fees.She had several really good pictures but other than the special effects ones,Jeff and Thea's pictures were every bit as good.We had doubles made and enlarged some and I wouldn't reccommend hiring a professional if you have a friend or family member who can do a good job.Make a list of shots you want and do a trial run.Professional photography is just one added expense that can be avoided.The money saved can go towards something else you need worse.
Post By Sharon,ky (Guest Post)
Disclaimer: ThriftyFun.com cannot accept any responsibility for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, others, or property when following any advice given on this site. Read the full disclaimer: http://www.thriftyfun.comdisclaimer.ldml If you find any information on ThriftyFun.com or in our newsletters that is either erroneous and/or potentially harmful to others, please Contact Us, immediately.