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Is there any way you could ask the photographer to do a custom package, removing the engagement session?
The package we've chosen for our wedding is approximately $4900, but it includes 10 hours of coverage, a photgrapher's assistant, engagement session, an extra session (think TTD, boudoir, etc...), wedding album, 2 matching parent albums, a 16x20 gallery wrapped canvas, full-size/high res images of the wedding, and 5x7 small print disks of the sessions (engagement and extra session). I'm sure I'm leaving some stuff of the list... but there are quite a few things bundled up in that crazy-amazing package.
And I'm getting an awesome photographer whose work I absolutely adore. I just want my wedding photos to be fantastic... I love photography and see it as a little side hobby of my own, so I want someone I trust by our sides come wedding day.
I'm also planning to cut corners elsewhere to help buffer the expense. Because I <3 photography, I think it's worth it.
So, to answer your question... I think your package sounds totally reasonable, especially if you already like the photographer's work. I would just suggest asking if she would consider potentially doing a custom package for you (removing the engagement session), because you do not live in the NY area. Good luck 
I think that's a good price for what you're getting, but I second asking the photographer to remove the engagement shoot since you won't be using them. That should drop your price by a couple hundred or so, I would imagine.
We're spending about $1,000 for our wedding photography. It's a pretty much no-frills package. We get one photographer for five hours and the images on DVD with rights to reproduce. We're on a budget, so this worked well for us!
It's also important to keep in mind that your location will play into the price some. My wedding is in Milwaukee and for $2,500 we are getting 1 photographer for 10 hours, all images shot on a disc, a 200 image "best shots" album and those 200 touched up photos on a disc plus a print release so that we can have our own copies made by whomever we want. It's pretty basic but just what we need. I actually live near DC though and I can only assume that the same basic package in DC by the same caliber of photographer would be at least $500-$1,000 or so more just because the cost of living is higher.
We ordered our wedding package after we had our e-shots done, and the package we chose included an engagement session. We are just swapping it out with something of equal value to the session, and our photographer was very flexible working with us on that! I'm sure if you talk to your's, he or she would be more than willing to work with you!
Ask about having a custom package and removing the engagement pictures. We spent a ton of money on photography...about $6k. I'm a huge photography snob...and wanted the best. Our photographer shoots in actual black and white film as well as digital color and the black and white pictures are gelatin silver prints...and are museum quality. Our package did include coverage the full day, an engagement session, bridal session, full rights and discs of all our pictures, a beautiful custom album...and a million other things I can't think of. In all, I am very pleased and very excited.
Could you exchange the engagement portion (you can't use it afterall!) for a bridal shoot a few days before?
We are paying $1,500 for 8 hours, two photographers, proof pics on DVD, high res pics on DVD (including touchups, editing, etc), 1-hour engagement session and they will be there for the rehearsal.
That price, for New York, isn't too bad.
As was mentioned, prices fluxuate a lot depending on the locations across the United States.
Try convincing a client that $4,000 in California is actually a lot less than $4,000 in Wyoming!
I agree with other posters about asking to either remove or substitute the engagement session. We paid $4100 including tax for all day photographry with lead photographer and assistant, a 30 page magazine style album (150-175 photos), 2 mini parent albums, engagement session, 8x10 of engagement pic, DVD of all wedding day high-res images (touch ups, color correction) and online viewing.
That seems like a really good price.
Can you trade the bridal session for an aftershoot or extra print credit? Most photogs are really flexible if you ask for exchanging things instead of cost cutting.
We are spending a total of $2300 for photography. We have an amazing photographer! Luckily I'm friends with her and was able to get about $1000 of her normal rate. Photgraphy was one of the elements of the wedding I wasn't going to scrimp on.
As a photographer AND a couple getting married next year, we believe that price really does vary depending on where you are, supply and demand, simple economics.
Keep in mind that more inexperienced photographers will tend to price lower, while those who see themselves as more experienced MAY price higher. Also, depends on the target clients you are aiming for...if you only want to do celebrity weddings, you better move to LA and charge 15,000.....if you want to offer a small town local service, your pricing is more conservative.
most photographers will tailor their packages to suit the needs of the client, afterall, you want to please the client!
darren
I think your package sounds in the ballpark- especially for a NYC wedding, location plays a big part in the cost. I reiterate what others have already said, most photographers will work with your requests if you want to "swap" something for another (see the Real Budgets: Photography post where Mrs. Cupcake talked to her photogs about exchanging one piece of her package for another).
I know that my own photographer now doesn't even include an hourly package like she did when we booked her but asks to be contacted for a "custom package" quote where you create your own package.
I am spending roughly $7000! I know that seems outrageous but I am very into photography and I love this guys work. He is traveling to my destination for free though! I also used a very cheap photographer for our engagement photos, so I skimped on those so I wouldn't feel guilty about the expensive wedding photographer!
I spent $2100 for pictures which includes all 700-1000 pics on disc for me to print out into an album.
I'm also in agreement with the others about the e-session! I am moving in 3 weeks, so when I was searching for my photog, I knew that there was the chance that me and the FI won't be back in the state together before the wedding. ALL of the photographers were willing to switch the engagement shoot out for another one (trash the dress, boudoir, a day after shoot, etc), so I would definitely ask if you could do that!
we are very lucky...we found an INCREDIBLE photographer who's just getting her feet wet, professionally...we've already booked her - a year out - but for UNLIMITED hours the day of the wedding - we're paying $1500 and all rights to the photos.
No actual books from HER - but with all the rights, we'll be allowed to make our own.
My co-worker found her card in our cafeteria here at work. The photographer's mother works in the lab here at work and that's why her card was here...I checked out her website - then her portfolio when we met and fell in love. :)
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Hello. I want a basic photography package. It's most important to me that the photographer catches the little natural unposed moments. I've been quoted at $3400 from a photographer who did my little cousin's wedding and I love her work. What do you think? It includes:
-A time guideline for coverage from getting ready to final cake cutting and parent dances
- Second shooter/assistant
- Engagement session ****we don't need these, in fact they are impossible bc we live in Spain and are having our wedding in NY***
- Online viewing for 3 months
- DVD slideshows including every image and a montage of my favorites
- Disc of low resolution files for quick preview and web sharing
- Full Resolution Disc of every image one year from the event date
- 20x20 Fine Art Gallery Wrap