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Beginner April 2021 Newfoundland and Labrador

Photography costs what!!??

Natasha, on December 24, 2019 at 18:00 Posted in Plan a wedding 0 17

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When I was initially doing a budget, I allotted $2,000 for photography which I thought was a healthy budget. HA. What I quickly realized that you can only get a basic photographer with little experience for that price. The photographers that I have had my heart set on for years before I even got engaged will cost... $3450+tax!! $3,900!! 😱 I almost died. But, even with the cost I cannot bring myself to think of using anyone else. I love their style and their pictures are beautiful! I guess my question is.. Do I just bite the bullet and suck it up? How much do you think is reasonable for photos? I have this problem where I truly think they're priceless because at the end of the day thats all thats left, so I might be rationalizing an irrational price. Lol 🙈 I really, really don't want to get my photos done by someone else and end up regretting it.

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Latest activity by Ashley, on December 30, 2019 at 15:28

VIP August 2020 Ontario
Ashley · On December 30, 2019 at 15:28
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Is there a large city near by? can you search there? they might include a certain amount of travel in their fees
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Beginner April 2021 Newfoundland and Labrador
Natasha · On December 30, 2019 at 12:07
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Unfortunately we live in a small place so there are not a lot pf photographera around that come close to these photographers unless we want to pay a travelling fee. & they're all basically the same price for a professional photographer rather than a hobbyist.
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VIP August 2020 Ontario
Ashley · On December 30, 2019 at 11:52
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Can you do a different package? can you take out some things to make the cost cheaper? everything will get really expensive really fast so pick and choose what vendors are important and where you want to spend $$ on. i would look around there are SOOOO many photographers im sure you can find someone else with a similar style
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Beginner April 2021 Newfoundland and Labrador
Natasha · On December 27, 2019 at 15:23
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We have decided to just go with it. It seems all the experienced, full-time photographers are not far from their pricing so if I'm gonna spend $3200 on one photographer might as well spend $4000 on a duo that I really want. Here is an example of their work.. I am in love with what they are able do!
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VIP September 2020 Ontario
Geneviève · On December 27, 2019 at 15:15
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Wow that’s a bit steep. Do you have lots of options close to where you’re getting married where you can shop around a bit? If not, maybe price further afield and see what their travel surcharges are like. I know in areas like the GTA, $4k, $5k+ are not unheard of because the market will allow it. We went with a photographer a couple cities over which was a much more reasonable price.
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Frequent user August 2020 Ontario
Anna · On December 27, 2019 at 14:07
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We are spending about that much for ours and I knew I could find someone cheaper however I am deadest on the photographer I've chosen. Photography is also one of my top wedding must-haves in terms of a quality vendor. I doubt I'll regret the splurge.
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Curious July 2020 Alberta
Maddie19 · On December 27, 2019 at 11:56
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My parents were married in 1991 and my mom always says her biggest regret to this day was not hiring an experienced photographer. Photography was something super important to us because after the day is over, you really only have the photos to look back on! If it's something important to you, I think it's worth spending more money
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Curious July 2020 Alberta
Becky · On December 27, 2019 at 02:05
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We found a very talented photographer that was just starting out. I had her do our engagement shoot and used those to gauge if she would be any good. She ended up being under 1000 and really really talented. I’m in love with our engagement photos 😍
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Master June 2022 Ontario
Rayanne · On December 26, 2019 at 15:45
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If that's important to you I would just go for it. I won't make photography that much of a priority. I find some of my favourite pictures are ones that may be taken by fluke. I'm sure that I'll have a few important pictures to me. I'll have one blown up to hang up in our home, maybe.
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Top August 2017 Ontario
Vinod · On December 26, 2019 at 11:56
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The cost seems rather high of a quote. I know someone who did for 2000 including books after the event. I can see if she is still doing photography.
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Super September 2020 Ontario
Amelia · On December 25, 2019 at 22:47
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We went through the exact same situation. An old friend of mine is a second photographer and she and the owner both do incredible work so I never considered using anyone else. The price tag was pretty much the exact same and I nearly fell off my chair when I saw it. But like everyone else has said, photos are a priority since we'll have them forever so we bit the bullet and have managed to cut back other costs a bit. After our engagement shoot in the summer, I have zero regrets.
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Expert July 2021 Ontario
Sarah · On December 25, 2019 at 20:11
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I had the same shock except our initial photography budget was 1200k LOL. I found an awesome photographer on kijiji whose prices started at 1400k which were more doable. We caught her in time because she raised her prices since we signed with her and now starts at 2200k I think. Do your research! Kijiji, Facebook wedding groups, buy and sells etc. You might find a diamond in the rough!
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Frequent user September 2020 British Columbia
Alissa · On December 25, 2019 at 19:15
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The exact same thing happened to us- I reached out to the photographer after she sent us a pricelist and was honest. I told her we are not trying to devalue her work in any way, and we truly believe shes worth every penny but unfortunately we couldn't afford it. I just expressed how much we wanted to work with her, told her a price range we hoped to stay in, and she came back with a modified package that met our budget, but still meant she was fairly compensated. I know this can sometimes be seen as tacky, but if you are just honest and don't disrespect people and their trade, they might be willing to work with you somehow!
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Super June 2021 Ontario
Samantha · On December 25, 2019 at 07:48
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My fiance is a photographer, so we both knew exactly what we'd be spending for it. And we knew we wanted someone that understood the vibe and feel we wanted in the photos and someone we just got along with. That person ended up being on the higher end, but at the end of the day those points were the most important us and we know this person will capture everything we want. Peace of mind is also worth a lot in our opinions
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Master July 2021 Ontario
Kelsie · On December 25, 2019 at 01:13
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I agree - don’t skimp on photos. My parents did that for their wedding (used a friend who wanted to expand their portfolio) and they were disappointed with the photos.

We spent a good chunk of our budget on photography and we don’t regret it. Our engagement photos were stunning so we can’t wait for the wedding.
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Beginner April 2021 Newfoundland and Labrador
Natasha · On December 24, 2019 at 22:12
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Absolutely. I keep rethinking it but my fiance tells me to not skimp on it and just do it. He says "you're gonna want good photos".. and he's absolutely right. 🙊 He is giving me the green light but I have never, ever spent this much money outside of buying a house. Lol So these big numbers are scary!! I have definitely thought of exactly that, downgrading my centerpieces. Originally I wanted but tall vases with thick flowers but right now I'll settle for a small floral wreath with some kind of candle centre if it means getting my photographer! 😁
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Master October 2020 New Brunswick
Amelia · On December 24, 2019 at 22:06
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Photos for us are one of the top priorities for our wedding and it sounds like you're in the same boat.

I would make sure you and your fiance are comfortable spending that much. And see if there is a spot (or several) in the budget that can be trimmed if you need to make up for the extra (for example smaller centerpieces, or not splurging on the fancy chair rentals). If you can afford it book sooner rather than later as their rates could change in 2020 for the 2021 season.
The skill and experience are what come with that price tag. You could try to see if there is a discount if you have a shorter day of coverage, but you might insult an artist and burn a bridge.
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