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That actually sounds about right to me or even low end. I am assuming any pictures you order are paid for ala carte?
I think this pricing is on the lower end for what you are getting in California, actually. I would ask if you get an album credit. We did and it was great!
Pictures are a la carte, which is what I would prefer. I would get a discount by ordering an album before the wedding.
Ugh, Boy, my heart is still pounding! Thanks for the words, Bees.
Check out passionartphotography.com. They did my wedding in December and I loved working with Vincent and his wife Denise. They are based in the Bay Area but will travel most anywhere, and Sacramento is so close. They are such as awesome couple to work with.
Oh I had their basic package for $1000 and that included a $150 print credit.
I hate to say it, but I checked out their work and for 4k I can think of one if not two better photographers servicing the California area. One being Jared Wilson, www.JaredWilsonPhotography.com. He's Colorado based, but he's national. I'm not sure what Becker or Jasmine Star are charging these days (maybe more), but one of the three might give you more bang for your buck. I know for sure Jared would. I'm saying this based on the fact that I looked at one collection and 90% of the images were b&w (some photogs tend to overuse this to may their images look more "professional"), some were crooked, and some had very dramatic shadows over the faces that made the couple look two faced. The team is still good mind you, I just don't know if they are AS good if you are going to pay the price.
Also, your wedding planner may have a vested interest in this photographer, as in they MAY have a partnership to get eachother business, so just because she says they are the best doesn't necessarily mean they are.
Finally, there are a lot of national photographers or those willing to travel not charging California prices if you are that concerned about the sticker.
Don't book them just because you feel pressured to make a decision immediately. If you aren't sure, and you won't be disappointed if you aren't able to book them, then hold off. If they're really the team you're the most excited about, could you ask the other potential photographers you're planning to meet with in March for their price lists now so you can make a more informed decision?
I respectfully disagree with LBPhotography - while a lot of photographers are happy to travel, most will charge you travel expenses to do so. Once you pay for a plane ticket, hotel and ground transportation, a less expensvie traveling photographer isn't a better deal than a local photographer who charges more unless you truly love her/his work more than anyone you can find locally. Good luck!
it's definitely worth it. even here in Michigan, that's a pretty typical price for middle-high end wedding photography!
That's about what we're paying here in Lexington... or roughly that. I think it's totally worth it!
$4000 in your area really does not sound that bad. I am paying $1600 for one photographer and 1 assistant, 6 hours, complete set of 4x6 prints, CD of high resolution pics with all rights and I am in the Louisville KY area just to give you something to compare it to. A lot of my friends have paid around $4000 even in my area though.
So, I agree that $4000 is not high for the Bay Area (hi, I'm having my wedding in Mendocino too!) Especially as some people might charge to travel up. But, at the same time, you do have options for that price, so it's worth asking yourself if you love their work. They are very photojournalistic, it looks like they don't even do that much ediitng for color. Is that primarily what you want? Other photographers in the Bay Area in that price range or below whose work I like include Gabriel Harper, Emily Takes Photos, Christina Richards, Erica Berger (who we hired for our courthouse ceremony last year and loved - wish we could afford to get her again but we can't afford her Saturday rates), Kali Kraum, and that's just who I can remember off the top of my head. So you can definitely look around.
Hi! I agree w/Historienne $4000 is not high for the Bay Area at all. With that being said, I wouldn't let the price of photographers either push or stop me from booking them, instead I would sit down with my FI and re-evaluate - whether we love their work, whether we get along with them (like when we meet our photographer, what won us over with her was her warm personality). Also, I know you already feel bad about $4000 photographer, but I just doubled checked my photographer's price (and for $300 more), you could book her :) She is completely wonderful! PM me if you are interested. I don't know about her traveling fees and this doesn't include an engagement session, but I'm sure you could negotiate the terms of the agreement!
The price sounds about right for the Bay Area & I think they are pretty good!
If you feel like you click with the photographers and you like their portfolio (remember to view at least one complete set of wedding photos so you're not just looking at the best of), I would say go for it!
It sounds like you are not really sure this is who you want but feeling pressured to book now so as to not lose the date. I don't think this is a good reason to book. If I were you, I'd keep looking.
I think more people who commented about how reasonable the price is need to check out her work and compare it to some other 4k photographers, even in that area. I think it's totally reasonable to pay 4k for a photographer as well ... I paid 5k for mine. I was just saying, as historienne mentioned, you have a lot more options for that price, many of which will be better.
@owl, I definitely agree she should avoid feeling pressured, and give herself time to make the right decision (at least meet with anohter photog). You can't get that deposit back.
Becker and Jasmine Star are MILES above that price point. Think 5 figures not 4.
I think in Cali you're looking at a good price point and that's about standard. I think you can find better for the same price though.
I don't know what kind of style you're looking for...
http://www.sarahmaren.com/ is sacramento based, know her professionally and she's awesome. May or may not be your style
http://www.sarahkchen.com/ - I think she's southern but I also know her and she's awesome. Diff. style than Sarah Maren
http://www.kenkienow.com/ - also a pretty cool cali photographer
Not all photographers with travel will wind up costing you more. Take the awesome ladies at "every little moment photography" in SLC. I guarantee you can book them, fly them and all and not pass $4k. But, they're in a very "cheap" wedding market.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. Really, I appreciate all of the comments. Thank you. I do need to think a little broader, as looking at that price range means I could just hire an SF or Sac person. Thank you.
@ KLP2010
Sarah Maren is perfect. I just emailed to see if she is still available. Cross fingers!
Just to add: my experience was that the photographers I found who do most of their work in Mendocino were...not my style. To put it gently. So yeah, I think looking in SF/Sacramento will get you a lot more options, and while they may charge you a bit to travel, it won't be too crazy.
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I was planning on meeting with photographers on March 6th, but the person I am most excited about has someone ready to make an offer. So I just talked to her (I have "dibs" because of my wedding coordinator), WOW! The package I want is $4000. I would get:
- 8 hours
- 2 photographers (husband and wife team)
- engagement shoot in San Francisco (the wedding is up the coast in Mendocino)
- disk of all pictures in high resolution
Eek! My parents are paying for most things, and they thought this was high, but not too much. My mom is still mad about her bad wedding photos (30 years later), so she is more interested in high quality.
Basically, if I want this team, I get them. High class problem. But, wow, I'm just really bowled over by the price (and my parents' generosity).
I have total confidence that they will do a really nice job, but it isn't as if I am DYING to have them.
Okay, sorry for the vent of emotion about a problem most people would love to have. Some perspective would be nice. Feel free to check their work out at:
http://www.jperlmanphotography.com/