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The quality of their work should be the determining factor!
We picked the best photographer we could afford and got his least-expensive package. It included no albums, prints or engagement/bridal pics. Just 6 hours and we paid extra to bump that up to 9, plus we are getting the high-res files. Now that I've seen a preview of the photos, I am SO HAPPY we did it that way. The photos are incredible, and it was worth the money for his artistic eye in shooting and editing.
If the pictures themselves aren't that great, then it doesn't matter how wonderful or inexpensive the album is, it's going to look mediocre. Conversely, if the photos are amazing, then you can always make your own album or prints using mpix or another of the many online vendors that do that. Or, you can wait a year until you want to pay for your photographer to design your album or print your pics.
Good luck!
My photographer had never taken photos "on the beach" before, but it didn't matter. Location doesn't matter as much as the ability to use light, angles, etc. Beaches, in my opinion, are usually easier to take photos on because they are so full of light, and light is your photographers best friend. Have you done your e-session yet? If so, did you like your pictures with the local photog?
I do think choosing based on cost is a terrible idea. It's important to stay within your budget, but once you have narrowed it down to three, look at complete weddings from each of them. As them each to see the online proofing of a full album, just like the album you will receieve after your own wedding. It's important to make sure they aren't just editing 20 photos and handing you the rest raw if that isn't what you are looking for.
The 4X6 of all photos sounds a little fishy to me. How many photos is she providing you? Most photographer hand back 800-1000 prints after a wedding, and most professionaly printed 4X6 photos should run you around 50 cents a print, sometimes more. It's impressive that she is potentially spending $400-$500 of her package just on giving you prints! That sounds a little bit like an upcharge that you don't need. If her prints don't cost that much, then where is she getting them done? Also, it's great that her flush mount album is less expensive, but where is she getting it from, and have you seen her actual design layout? A wholesale album can run up to $400 for a 40 page spread, and most photographers will charge around $1000+ for an album like that. I would be wary of getting low-quality products.
Good luck making your decision!
I agree with AC..who takes the best photos? The city I lived in has a ton of wedding photographers (who are cheaper b/c we live in a smaller city), but no one really does photojournalism..which is what I wanted. I had to go to Orlando, about 2 hrs away, to find someone whose work I liked.
I think I would be much more inclined to hire someone who was not only familiar with taking beach photos, but someone who was familiar with the area (since it is a DW).
I would also speak with #2 on the phone to get a better vibe. You may actually speak with her and realize she is sketchy or just not what you are looking for. Since all of the pricing is relatively close, I would speak to them all, figure out whose style of photography I like the best, and who seems to be the person who will work with me the way I want on our wedding day?
Good Luck!
You've gotten some good advice here. Of course it's important to have a budget for your wedding, but when it comes to your photography you have to think beyond just the budget. It's not hard to find two photographers who charge similar fees, but their styles and personalities can be vastly different.
Make sure you see some samples of complete weddings from all of them so you'll have a better idea of what to expect for YOUR photography. Place yourself in those pictures and see if you think it's a good fit.
Even if one photographer may have never shot on a beach before, any experienced professional with lots of wedding experience should be able to adapt easily. So find out how much experience they have, how many weddings have they shot, what kind of variety of venue have they been in... that kind of thing. Good luck!
Joe Milton
International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers
My first question would be if you have done your engagement session with the 3rd option. If you really like her work maybe ask if you could get some test shots of the beach. Er maybe you aren't near one and that isn't possible (Sorry I am an hour from a beach so this is foreign to me) Otherwise I would go with the best over all product, just look for different settings. Do they only have indoor stuff then that is probably not a good sign if you want a lot of outdoor.
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px; white-space: pre-wrap">Hi! You may have already found a photographer to help you but I figured I'd throw this out there anyhow... My husband and I are looking to expand our destination weddings in our portfolio and have agreed to create a very inexpensive package option as long as all travel and lodging fees are covered. You can view our work here: www.ashleycolhouer.com If you haven't already found someone or if you want to discuss this further please don't hesitate to get back to me. Best of luck in your planning and congratulations! Ashley Colhouer 404 323 4449
can we see links to their work?
The price points are pretty close and the packages are extra bells and whistles. I agree - it comes down to who's work and personality you like best.
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I am trying to choose a photographer for a destination wedding of between 25 - 50 ppl max. My fiance has put me on a strict budget and I am trying not to feel pressured into choosing based upon cost alone : ). It is also a challenge because I am "interviewing" them at a distance and can't meet in person until Feb/March next year. Here are the options:
1) Nice person on the phone, but I am not sure if she is outgoing or (I think she might have been nervous on the phone?). Offers unlimited coverage, but I am not sure how much we need for a small group? Also provides 4x6 of all photos, all editing, online proofing and ordering, and we can exchange our e-session for rehearsal dinner photos (I really want beach group shots). A dvd of all shots is an extra $500, but I think I can talk her down. If not, the total is $1700. Good point: her flush mount albums are cheap - 10x10 $250.
2) From her emails/blog she seems more laidback, but I have yet to speak by phone. Basic package of 4 hours and it includes 30 4x6 and 5 8x10. We can add 2 hours, a dvd of photos, and maybe rehearsal dinner photos for a total of $1500/$1600.
3) I was very zealous when I got engaged and hired a local photog for our e-session and home reception coverage. She wants to travel with us and I am considering it. She offers an 8 hr package, that I would split up - 2 hrs rehearsal and 6 hrs wedding day. It also includes an e-session, editing, dvd slideshow, dvd of all photos, online proofing and ordering for a total of $1750. I originally booked her when her all day package was $950, so everything else would be her travel fee. She won't go down on price and has not taken photos at the beach before. I think she would try hard, but I am not sure if I should choose someone more familiar with beach photos, etc. Flush mount albums $425.
Which one would you choose? How did you select your photographer? When does it make sense to take your local photographer with you or is it just based upon preference?