Wedding photographer?

[NoLongerInRadioGuy]

I am in the market to hire someone to snap some pics for my wedding this september. Problem is, I am not sure even where to begin, except the yellow pages I guess. Problem number two is wanting a good, quality person to do a good, quality job for us to remember our day, yet not charge an arm and a leg to do it. I would even be willing to give someone a chance who maybe is just starting out and needing to get some "real" pics for a portfolio. Anyone have any ideas, or know a photographer they might recommend?

[wordsmythe]

The hard part of your request is that you want someone good AND inexpensive. That's pretty hard to do.

Most of the wedding shooters I know, who do it for a living, are going to charge you somewhere between one to two grand just to pack up their stuff bring it out and shoot. This may or may not include a certain number of prints but should always include the proofs.

Another thing to remember is that unless the shooter specifically gives up ownership THEY not YOU own the images. This means you have to go through them to get reprints or enlargements. With technology you can scan the photos and have them done somewhere else but it's illegal without a release and most places won't do it. If you fake a release you can be sued for copyright infringement.

When I do weddings or anything for that matter, I always release the rights to the images to whoever is paying me.

Generally I charge:
• $250 an hour for the time of the shoot, 2 hour minimum
• 30 cents a mile to travel
• Lodging if it's over night

I shoot 10.2 MP Digital Nikon D-200 which can enlarge up to a little over a 2' X 3' poster.

• I give the subject all the images I shoot in low res, unless they are really bad for some reason such as focus or exposure, as their proofs on a CD or DVD.
• I let them choose up to 10 they would like retouched and sized for printing. Any over 10 is a charge of $10 per photo as this is pretty time consuming.
• I provide them with a highres files on CD suitable for printing from any photo finisher or they can go through me for prints and enlargements. I try to keep the cost below the norm.
• I provide them with ALL the high res versions of all the images with the final package and include a release giving all rights to the photos to them. I do reserve the right to use the images for advertising and contests, however.
• For an extra fee I do a DVD slideshow put to music of the stills from the wedding.

The only really good shooter I know that I'd recommend is Tom Ellison of Ellison Photography out of Ellis. His web site is www.tommyphoto.com

Hope this all helps you to make an informed choice.

Good luck on your wedding and on your marriage.

[TexKan]

Oh Wordie you shoulda given him your home page so he can look at some of your work.................. You will find it in Wordies profile...... if I remember right.

I will say that if Wordie can't do it for ya............. Don's does really nice pics. He's pricey and eccentric but he is good....... he doesn't give you the rights to the pics tho...... I was surprised to see that Wordie did...... that sounds like a good deal. I don't know Don's prices.......... just been lookin at his photos for years............ even before he knew he was a photoist......... Course photograpers are like hairdressers......... not everyone is for everybody....... good luck.......... PS....... Don't depend on lifelong memories to be taken care of by some per chance person with a camera........ If ya want quality pics.......... get quality from the get go. You will be happy ya did. I know Wordie was thinkin that but not sayin it.......... I'm sayin it cause I have seen folks that relied on Kodak cameras and friends then wished they had high quality professional photos............... make sure ya know what your gettin..................

[357 mag]

All I can say is don't go to Troy's Photography. He did our family pictures for my grandparent's 50th and they turned out pretty bad. I wouldn't have paid the price to get them done after seeing the end result.

[Cally]

I would highly recommend Judy Tilley.

Tilley Photography
13352 Outlaw Rd
Bucklin, KS
620-826-3737

She did my son's senior pictures and they were all great.
I looked at her Wedding photos and she does a great job!!!

[Flying Dutchman]

Be sure and get a good DJ (pick me, pick me lol) also.

I have found with every wedding dance I have done the couple do not take into account the dance as it co-incides with the photographer. Try to keep your wedding/dinner/dance as close to schedule as you can. I have rarely ever started the dance on time. I try to co-ordinate the dances that need photographed (first dance, mother-son, garter belt toss, etc.....) as the very first ones so the photographer does not stay longer than is needed. If the dance is to start at 8, you don't want to still be serving food at 7:50.

[Bubba]

Another DJ with over 20 years in business doing proms and weddings and used to do all of the Saint Mary's college dances when it was still here, is Sound Expressions in Cimarron. He has computerized light show, with lasers lights and more also.

[Flying Dutchman]

Oh, sure, rain on my parade there Bubba. (lol, just kidding)

I kinda like the non-technical aspect of my light show. Who needs strobe lights, I get the same effect by turning on and off my flashlight. ) You want a laser show.......fine, I will splurge and get one of those pointer thingees and wave it to the beat. )

[NoLongerInRadioGuy]

Thanks for the info...but, first, we have decided not have a dance for religious and personal reasons. Second of all, I have DJ'd well over 300 wedding dances in both Kansas and the Dallas metro area. I have DJ'd for my own business, with a buddy, and with an extremely well-regarded service in Dallas. But, thanks anyway I started DJing dances when I was 15 years old, doing homecomings and proms for small towns in SW Kansas. Here I am now, 17 years later, trying to get the DJ bug outta my system, but it just aint working. I did a couple weddings last fall, and still get calls once in a while about Christmas parties. I have to tell them I am no longer in the biz and suggest someone else. At least I still get my fix by filling up the breaks for Ask Vinnie when I play some good dance music.

Matter of fact, just out of curiousity, I actually found the service I worked with in Dallas online! Check em out - www.partyelite.com

[Diamond]

Originally Posted by Cally

I would highly recommend Judy Tilley.

Tilley Photography
13352 Outlaw Rd
Bucklin, KS
620-826-3737

She did my son's senior pictures and they were all great.
I looked at her Wedding photos and she does a great job!!!

Judy Tilley is an awesome wedding photographer. She is very organized and accommodating to what the bride and groom want. You really must see her wedding work to appreciate the quality.