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Negotiating with photographers... is it possible?

P: 10/2/2007 9:38:11 AM
xiuying Rough Rock Total Posts: 51 Last Post: 10/21/2008 Member Since: 8/21/2006	Hi all! I will be getting married in North Carolina in June of 2008, and I've been looking through all the different photography sites. I am ahem VERY picky about the quality of my photographs! I took photography in college, and I know what can make or break a good photograph, and so finding a great photographer is very important to me. However... I also have a budget to think about! My budget for photographers, in my mind, has been to stay below $2000. A few days ago I sat down and started looking through every single N.C. photographer I could find, and comparing pricing, rates, etc. I found a lot of photographers I loved loved LOVED... but alas, they were above $2000. I also found a lot of photographers for under $2000... but almost ALL of them have lower quality pictures! I FINALLY found someone who had beautiful photography and was $1700 for the standard package... but today I found out I have to pay $500 to get digital copies of my pictures, which bumps it back up to $2200. Sooo, I've been wondering... does anyone know if it's at all possible to negotiate with photographers? I know I will probably have to bump up my budget, but I was wondering if it's at ALL polite to say, "Hey, I'm trying to stick to this budget, any way you'll reconsider a bit?" Or is that extraordinarily rude? I'd hate to piss off a photographer by asking the wrong kind of question, ya know?
Posted: 10/2/2007 9:38:11 AM

There are 13 replies to this message. There are 13 replies on this page.

P: 10/2/2007 9:58:11 AM
Mandarine Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,246 Last Post: 11/6/2009 Member Since: 1/20/2006	Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not only you can, but you SHOULD try to negotiate. It's like with everything, their first offer will be what they hope to get...but there is always room for negotitation where the vendor still makes a good profit and you get a little break. I negotiated my photographer down to $1,200 from the initial $1600 we were quoted...and that includes the CDs with full rights (and full resolution) of all the pictures (edited and not edited...the CDs were tough to negotiate!), coffee table album with a min of 25 pages, $150 in prints, e-pics session and full day of photography the day off. She did such an awesome job that I have recommeded her left and right. Just the other day she called me to say thanks and to let me know because of all my recommendations she's bringing another photographer to my wedding...for free :) So don't be shy and try :) M~
Posted: 10/2/2007 9:58:11 AM

P: 10/2/2007 10:03:30 AM
NewEnglandLady Ideal Rock Total Posts: 3,155 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 7/27/2007	Yes, absolutely negotiate with the photographer. I met with a few photographers--those that were in very high demand and had a starting price in the $3 - $4K range didn't negotiate because, well, they didn't really need to. The photographer we really loved, though, was much cheaper than that. In fact, he focused more on landscape photography than weddings (which wsa perfect for our setting), though since weddings paid well he did them often. Anyway, We negotiated several hundred dollars off and at the end, when we were trying to decide between two photographers he ended up giving us all of the edits for free, which was great. Trust me, they realize that wedding photographers are a dime a dozen and when it comes down to it they are willing to shave some money off to get your business.
Posted: 10/2/2007 10:03:30 AM

P: 10/2/2007 11:04:09 AM
xiuying Rough Rock Total Posts: 51 Last Post: 10/21/2008 Member Since: 8/21/2006	Yes! This is EXCELLENT to know! Thank you so much, ladies! I wondered about it mainly because almost every photography site I visited had their quotes in *big, bold, dark, firm letters* that looked oh-so-unchangeable. This way I know I won't be totally rude if I ask thanks again!
Posted: 10/2/2007 11:04:09 AM

P: 10/2/2007 12:31:57 PM
strmrdr Ideal Rock Total Posts: 23,296 Last Post: 10/9/2009 Member Since: 11/1/2003	depends on the time of year. During the peak season they arent likely too come down but you can try. What part of NC? some from that area hang out on a photography board Im on. ........... Karl has joined the diamond trade and is now posting as Karl_K
Posted: 10/2/2007 12:31:57 PM

P: 10/2/2007 1:56:46 PM
xiuying Rough Rock Total Posts: 51 Last Post: 10/21/2008 Member Since: 8/21/2006	Hiya! I'm getting married in Davidson, which is about 20 minutes north of Charlotte... almost exactly in the middle of the state. It is prime time, unfortunately, and on a Saturday, so maybe they'll be willing, maybe not.
Posted: 10/2/2007 1:56:46 PM

P: 10/2/2007 2:13:07 PM
Jas12 Ideal Rock Total Posts: 1,938 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 5/16/2006	I negotiated and got a big chunk off the total price. I find that 'in general' vendors are more likely to throw in something extra (like an hour of coverage or an extra portion of the event covered) rather than bring the total cost down-but see what happens, never hurts to try.
Posted: 10/2/2007 2:13:07 PM

P: 10/2/2007 4:34:21 PM
strmrdr Ideal Rock Total Posts: 23,296 Last Post: 10/9/2009 Member Since: 11/1/2003	Date: 10/2/2007 1:56:46 PM Author: xiuying Hiya! I'm getting married in Davidson, which is about 20 minutes north of Charlotte... almost exactly in the middle of the state. It is prime time, unfortunately, and on a Saturday, so maybe they'll be willing, maybe not. passed the info on, right now no nibbles at $2k. I know there is one in Charlotte that hangs out there but he is the 4k-5k range. ........... Karl has joined the diamond trade and is now posting as Karl_K
Posted: 10/2/2007 4:34:21 PM

P: 10/2/2007 4:44:54 PM
strmrdr Ideal Rock Total Posts: 23,296 Last Post: 10/9/2009 Member Since: 11/1/2003	Someone too check with if you like their work, don't know the pricing details. http://www.rmhstudios.com/ ........... Karl has joined the diamond trade and is now posting as Karl_K
Posted: 10/2/2007 4:44:54 PM

P: 10/2/2007 7:15:15 PM
xiuying Rough Rock Total Posts: 51 Last Post: 10/21/2008 Member Since: 8/21/2006	Oh... wow. You are officially my hero for the day!!! Thank you SO much! I'll keep looking. I have found one I LOVE, but she's around $2500, and she's already entirely booked for May 2008... so I think I'd already be getting an excellent deal with her. So... we'll see. But THANKS! I'm very much open to any suggestions!
Posted: 10/2/2007 7:15:15 PM

P: 10/2/2007 11:39:45 PM
Daydreamer7130 Cut Rock Total Posts: 200 Last Post: 5/12/2009 Member Since: 8/16/2007	Hello, You should negotiate! My FI and I are planning a destination wedding and the only thing we were very very particular on was our photography. After much searching and looking at countless online albums, we decided to give one photographer a call and not only did we negotiate a price BUT he even set up our entire wedding and honeymoon with the resort and travel agent. You talk about service even before the contract was signed... HE WAS WONDERFUL!! We get 2 full days of shooting including various spots on the island AND we get to keep the high res CD of all the photos taken. This was great because it meant, at least for us, that we get to print what we want in the sizes we want and on the paper we want. We also will be making a slide show/movie of the photos set to various music.
Posted: 10/2/2007 11:39:45 PM

P: 10/3/2007 11:09:43 AM
strmrdr Ideal Rock Total Posts: 23,296 Last Post: 10/9/2009 Member Since: 11/1/2003	Another one that is interested: http://www.lnl-photo.com/ Mention strmrdr and potn if you contact them. ........... Karl has joined the diamond trade and is now posting as Karl_K
Posted: 10/3/2007 11:09:43 AM

P: 10/3/2007 11:50:43 PM
Daydreamer7130 Cut Rock Total Posts: 200 Last Post: 5/12/2009 Member Since: 8/16/2007	Hello, I forgot to mention who we booked. Ooopps! www.modernexposure.com Cyn
Posted: 10/3/2007 11:50:43 PM

P: 10/3/2007 11:54:14 PM
Daydreamer7130 Cut Rock Total Posts: 200 Last Post: 5/12/2009 Member Since: 8/16/2007	Please forgive me! www.modernexposurephoto.com
Posted: 10/3/2007 11:54:14 PM

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