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I live in Dallas, but I opted to go with a newer photographer so that the price would be lower. I am getting 11 hours for $2300 and that includes an engagement or bridal session. I know its kind of taboo to go with someone who does not have YEARS of experience, but at the end of the day I just wanted someone to take pictures that would last a lifetime. I will not be entering and photo contests or putting my wedding in People Magazine, so I just wanted someone who takes good pictures and who doesn't charge an arm and a leg. I knew i wanted them the whole day so that I could have pictures of me and the bridal party getting ready.
@PeacocksAndCandy:That's really great advice! How did you go about finding someone?
I'm in a much smaller midwest city. I found that I couldn't find anything that suited my tastes for under $2500. There are photographers whose portfolios and blogs looked good that charged much less. But when I looked at a full wedding from start to finish (i.e., the online proof gallery for clients), the quality just wasn't the same as those who charged more. There were weird angles, backs of heads, etc. No matter what your budget, I strongly recommend looking at a full wedding. It can give you an idea of exactly what to expect after the wedding so that there are no surprises.
@kimbean:I think it depends on how important photography is to you. You need to remember that you'll probably be looking at these photos 50 years from now, so you might want them to be extra good. Fi and I splurged on photography, because it was important to us. We are paying 4500 for 11 hours of coverage, pic disk with print rights, album, engagement session, and some product credit (for prints and such). We could have went with someone half the price, but we felt the quality was only ok. We didn't want to settle with just "ok" photos.
@kimbean:My wedding is in Indiana and someone had suggested a photographer in Chicago that I love. She added me on Facebook so I see her photos all the time. She's amazing, but I think she was around $4k and we just couldn't spend that much. If you want her info PM me :)
I also have the name of a photographer that does great work in Illinois.. AND the photographer I may use travels for wedding's and isn't very expensive. (I'm from Metro-Detroit) PM if you'd like any their info.
@kimbean: Hmmm...I'd say leave room for about minimum $3 or 4K for a QUALITY video and photography. I personally would too make sure these two compainese could work well together, or maybe they never have (would be good to know). And if its the same company doing both, how will they manage and how many persons are required.
Video is something we ended up nixing due to the cost/quality for me. I love our photographers and so glad we got them at her 2010 rates!
In Chicago, I would say it's safe to budget $4,000+ for a good photographer and $3,000+ for a good videographer. I think making the investment in photography is a top priority...and if videography is a priority, make the investment as well.
I couldn't budget in the videography I would want, so we didn't have it. I'd rather make the investment in someone great vs. spending $800 or $1,000 on videography, which in Chicago will typically not get you much in the way of quality. I'd rather put that $1,000 elsewhere.
Another thing to note, if your photographer or videographer aren't very experienced, there's a chance there will be conflict. For example, if your photog is awesome but they are working with a not-so-great videgrapher, they often end up getting in the photographer's shots over and over again because they don't know how to work well with a photographer. Important to think about!
We got married in Temecula, California. Our photogrpaher was $500 she is fairly new, she was there from 11am-8pm and took the most amazing photos. We get all the photos she took on CD's :)
There are great photographers that are brand new, and they are just talented!! And she was one of them! You can find a great deal if you look at some of the photographers that are jsut starting out. Good Luck :)
We had our wedding in Chicago and hired a Chicago photographer. We paid about $3000. That included 9 hours of photography with the main photographer, 8 hours with the second shooter, and the hi-res edited photos on a DVD.
Photography is definitely expensive... but I don't regret what we paid. Our photographer's work was great, and we have many photos displayed around our house (and our familys' houses). That and videography are really all you have left when the day is done.
Good luck!
Sorry I took so long to respond! I looked a lot around online, then I met with a few photographers that matched my price range. I also got lucky and a coworker knows my photographer and recommended her. I am so happy with my decision. I found a photographer who not only charges A LOT less, but has such an amazing personality and gets along with me and I cannot wait to have her by me my entire wedding day capturing moments from the most important day of my life!
I live in PA and our photographer will be 1050 which will include all day service with them from the time I get to salon, till the time our reception is over and will have 2 photographers which will cost 1050. And then our videographer will cost around 1650-2400 depending on which package we go with.
I know a photographer in DC who just shot a wedding in Chicago. It was cheaper for the couple to fly her and her 2nd photographer in, put them up in a hotel, and pay her rate than to hire a comparable Chicago photographer. If you can't find a photographer you love in your area within your budget, you can always widen your search and see who will travel.
Hi Bees!
We're meeting with Rob Karlic on Tuesday, found him on yelp, and after talking to our DJ (Toast and Jam) who he's worked with before, we're almost 99.9% we're going with him. Like PP's have said, you just need to do a LOT of research and find out who fits your style and budget.
Good luck and thanks for all the help, bees!
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What's a reasonable amount to try to budget for wedding photography/videography? I live in Chicago, and I've been finding things as low as $1500 and as high (starting) as $3500! What did you pay and what did that include? What should we expect to pay? Thanks so much!