General questions: Photography...deciding on budget

Before I even start looking at photographers, what should I be looking for? Im trying to set a budget, but I dont want to break the bank either. Im having less than 150 people so should I get one or two photographers? Also how many pics should they shoot? What should I look for in a photo album and approx how many photos should it come with? How much should I look to spend?

Re: General questions: Photography...deciding on budget

what is your styel, photojournalistic or traditional? I think that makes a bit of a difference. Do you want epics? Do you want albums and such(parents albums I mean)? Like someone said before one photgrapher can focus on the bride and groom, that part is ntirely up to you. I would say $2000....pure gues of course..but I think that is average.

Re: General questions: Photography...deciding on budget

I only have a general idea based on what close friends have done. I haven't booked a photographer/videographer yet. From what I've heard the average for both is between $4,000-5,000, with about $2,500 going toward the photography. My friend signed the contract for 36 in her album, but then later when she got her proofs and sat down to go over it w/ photographer, she decided to go w/ 48 pictures instead.

Re: General questions: Photography...deciding on budget

Well, Im looking for a little bit of both - photo and portrait. Come to think of it I would need 3 parents albums. No engagement photos. Other than that, I have no clue....

Re: General questions: Photography...deciding on budget

I think all of your questions are really personal. It truly depends what YOU want and what is important to both of you. Before we even started to look, I knew I wanted two photographers, one to be with FH and one to be with me while we're both getting ready. We also wanted more of a photojournalistic look and knew with two photographers they'd be able to capture alot more of the emotion of the day. I think you'll find that most photographers will shoot at least 300 pics but most likely more. As far as the albun goes, that is also a matter of personal taste. Some girls want the traditional look, others want the contemporary look of a coffee table book, some want tons of pics and some want just the basics.

My advice to you is to have an idea of what you want and what you want to spend and you'll have an easier time selecting a photographer. Have fun!!

Re: General questions: Photography...deciding on budget

well i think 3 albums is more than the average of 2 that comes with most packages, you may have to pay more for that.
How much do you have allocated to each. Are you having video also, I think the packages are a good deal also. Alot of it does depend on you....I say make a bugget of how much you think is reasonable to spend. $10,000 , $5000 etc, that should narrow some people down for you.

Re: General questions: Photography...deciding on budget

things that were important to me:

1. photojournalistic style
2. ownership of negatives and proofs (no imprints)
3. ability to create my own album
4. personality and professionalism

i really analyzed photographs and identified what i liked, what i didn't like, and why. i then checked out what was available for $500, what was priced at $10,000. i checked out studios and met with freelancers. i had budgeted 2K-3K and stuck to that, however i am not getting the "packages" that include albums, engagement shots, thank you cards, etc. that a lot of the other girls on here get.

my advice: always make sure to review albums of a photographers single event. find out how many overall photos were taken so you start to get an idea of the "good shot" to overall count ratio for proofs...

Re: General questions: Photography...deciding on budget

I would suggest looking at a few before you decide. You will learn what you like and don't like. Personally...I wanted some traditional posed shots..as well as photojournalistic. I was able to see an entire set of proofs...and the final ablum from the same set of proofs when I met with my photographer. It was good to see everything...not just the few good ones that they put into the album. I had a budget of $2500 for photo...I was able to upgrade my ablum (from 36 to 50 pics) and have some extras thrown in. We did not do parents albums. Everyone I know who gets a 36 page album in their "package" winds up upgrading later on...I didn't want to have additional costs after the wedding, so I made sure that my upgrade fit into my original budget. Good luck!