Post # 1
Member
2373 posts
Buzzing bee
Hi bees,
My fiance and I decided to hire bella pictues as our photographer. As some of you may know they are a service that match you to a photographer that matches your style for a pretty great price. It’s a good option for couples who don’t want to really dedicate a huge portion of their budget to photography- but still have nice photos.
Has anyone ever used them or heard anything positive/negative about the service? We were matched with a photographer, I googled her and on her website she charges 4,000 dollars for wedding photography ordinarily (we got her for 1600)- I’m not really excited about her work though. It’s really traditional, and while I know that works for some people- I’m not thrilled. We’re thinking about trying to get matched up with someone else.
Post # 3
Member
471 posts
Helper bee
Maureen9004,
Are you able to request a re-match with another photographer without paying additional or having a penalty ?
Post # 4
Member
469 posts
Helper bee
We went with Bella as we couldn’t even TOUCH the prices of the decent photographers in the Baltimore/DC area. We had our e-session in NJ with a photographer a few weeks ago and are happy with the results. We haven’t been matched up with our photographer for the wedding yet. You should be able to request a re-match without penelty. Did you go through the picture rating service Bella offers? I haven’t been matched up yet so I dont’ know what we’ll get, but I’m pretty confident we’ll get someone we like. If not, I know you can request a re-match. Good luck!
Post # 5
Member
49 posts
Newbee
We went with Bella too and just got our match a few days ago. I wasn’t too thrilled with the pictures in the link that Bella provided me (there were only like 10) but when I googled our photog’s actual website his galleries were amazing! And his blog shows each of his weddings and they’re all great so I’m really really excited!
If you already looked at her website and don’t like the style I’d ask for a re-match. I’m pretty sure that’s included and there shouldn’t be a penalty. Maybe talk to your consultant so they’re clear on the style you like next time. Good luck!
Post # 6
Member
52 posts
Worker bee
You won’t get the same photos from Bella as you would from the photographer. It’s a real bummer. I used to shoot for Bella. I can say they are REALLY nice people. I liked everyone I worked with 🙂 However, after seeing my "finished product" – what they gave the bride and groom – I opted out shooting for them.
To see what I’m talking about, there is a great thread that I believe has helped many people in making decisions about Bella. It’s got before’s and after’s to explain.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=405506
Bobby Earle
Post # 7
Member
469 posts
Helper bee
I’m wondering if there are any other brides out there who went with Bella and had some sort of experience they’d like to share, either good or bad (but I’m really hoping for good).
Post # 8
Member
4 posts
Wannabee
Bella Pictures does not do any image processing so you will only get the picture quality that’s straight from the camera. That means your pictures will never be nearly as good as what you see in the photogrpahers’ websites. From what I understand these photographers with their own studios only shoot for Bella P part time and they don’t get paid that much. That means half ass work!
Use them at your own risk and seriously consider why they are so cheap.
Post # 9
Member
4 posts
Wannabee
(I personally know Nicole – one of their sales reps)
Post # 10
Member
469 posts
Helper bee
I guess I’m now worried that my wedding pictures will be [email protected]… has anyone had a good experience with them? I read through the thread above and it looks like other photographers don’t like Bella because of the non-post-production stuff… but are there any brides out there who have used Bella and are happy with the results???
Post # 11
Member
168 posts
Blushing bee
@bnlearle: Verrry interesting. Thanks for the link.
Post # 12
Member
2373 posts
Buzzing bee
I contacted my representative.. and instead of offering me another option she sent me more work of this photogaphers.
The pictures are not bad by any means.. it’s just typical wedding photos and the photos she takes of the "details" really aren’t much… I could do better myself. I’m worried.
Post # 13
Member
344 posts
Helper bee
If you’re worried, ask to switch. A friend I work with used Bella and she wasn’t too happy with them. There are some great photographers in there and some not so great ones, so if you can already see your photog’s work and don’t like it, ALREADY, and you’d think those sample pictures would be extra awesome, then I would ask to switch. Tell your rep that you’re still not thrilled and would like to explore another option.
Post # 14
Member
2 posts
Wannabee
We are also using Bella out of SF, and our first meeting with our consultant was wonderful and we gave her a lot of ideas into what we were looking for. Our 1st photogrpaher selection was so NOT what we were looking for (was very traditional, we’re not – wanted an edgy look and this was not it) it took more than 4 back and forth emails to get her to stop sending more examples of the 1st person’s work and schedule a phone interview to go through a larger portfolio of the 1st person’s work. It took a lot of repeating ‘this is not what we are looking for’ for her to agree to give us another selection – to which i said to go like 5 steps beyond this. Our 2nd choice (now one month from the wedding) is acutally acceptable. NOT his wedding photos from Bella tho, we googled him and loved his style for other events, etc…so we know he’s a good photographer and can work with us.
I am not really sure if I would use them again, but the price is right for someone who wants all rights to the digital images and doesn’t want abums or editing – they do edit but its limited to the package you select – however, its not that hard to alter/edit your own images…which was perfect for me (graphic designer) and the futre mr. (a photographer)
Post # 15
Member
52 posts
Worker bee
@rzbina: You’re so welcome!
It’s very unfortunate that so many book Bella, google the photographer’s name, find the photos on their site, and then think they’ll be getting that.
Here’s what Bella will do. Your photographer will shoot your wedding. He/she will get paid around $400 (VERY part time). He will turn all of the images in to Bella. Keep in mind, Bella alters your photographer’s style – they will not tell you this. I shoot wide open apertures all the time (this is what makes images VERY blurry in the background). This is key to my photography. I was told not to do that as it makes post-processing difficult. I was also told not to go above IS0800. I do this all the time as it adds really nice grain to certain photos. But, since the photographer isn’t the one post-processing the photos, they have no idea which photos were taken with what processing in mind. In no way will you be getting the same product you would had you booked the photographer yourself. Bella basically pushes the photographer to give them the most generic photograph that will be the easiest to post-process later for them. And if you don’t follow suit, you’ll get dropped. Like I said, they are extremely kind and decent people – nothing against them personally – but don’t think that you are getting the same photographer if that photographer is contracted under Bella. Your photographer has a boss (Bella) and they have to follow that boss’ rules.
@Maureen 9004:
The way Bella works is that they get an inquiry from a client. They then ask all the photographers in your area that match up with you who is available for that date. They then take from that list and choose your best match. If they had another option, they would have likely offered it to you. The fact that they showed you more of the photographer’s work means they are running out of options.
My advice? If photography is EXTREMELY important to you – just eat what you have to (moneywise) and pick another photographer. Feel free to PM me your budget and I’ll see if I can find you someone awesome in Detroit (assuming that’s where you’re getting married). If photography is just sort of important then it could very well be worth the gamble. Best way to find out is to ask youself, "if I don’t get exactly what I want, will i seriously reget not switching?" If so, there’s your answer. If not, same idea. Really hope that helps! Best of luck 😉
Bobby Earle
Post # 16
Member
2373 posts
Buzzing bee
Bobby, thank you.
I actually looked into several other photographers today after reading all your posts.
You are awesome.
I called my Bella consultant tonight and tried to cancel my package, my wedding is in 31 days though- and bella would not refund my money (we paid for the whole picture).
We are stuck and I am upset. I’m thinking maybe I will bring the pictures toa professional afterwards though and have them tweaked. Thank you for your offer though.
