Good photographer who delivers RAW and will do NDA

I bet you could find a caterer willing to share recipes, say I wanted to bind them and give them as a present to my guests. Again, there is a difference between what one person is willing to do and what another is willing to do. It honestly feels like I'm being lied to when someone says "no one will do that" because I know we can make it happen. Again I might wrong about this, but it seems a lot of these people say it because they don't want you to go find the person who will do it. Contrast that to handful of interactions I've had, where a vendor I contacted said we don't do that, but x person over there probably can. Those people I respect.

Jacks, if I'm spending money, I'm getting what I want, not what I need. Like jorocka pointed out, we don't really need much at all. I need my pastor and my fiancé. That's it. I totally get that I don't need RAW files, but I want them. I also don't need a photographer, but I want one (well, two actually). We are picky, and we want certain stuff. I imagine all of us here have lines in the sand that we must have to feel like you've planned a successful event. For me the two biggest sticking points were the tasting menu, some caterers hated that, and these darn RAW files. Do I need to have them, nope, but I want them and if someone is willing to sell them, you can bet I'm willing to pay because they are important to me. Maybe for you that important thing is a certain pattern in the dress, or a certain phrasing in your ceremony. If you really want something, you beat the bushes until you find someone who will sell it to you.

Jacks, if I'm spending money, I'm getting what I want, not what I need. Like jorocka pointed out, we don't really need much at all. I need my pastor and my fiancé. That's it. I totally get that I don't need RAW files, but I want them. I also don't need a photographer, but I want one (well, two actually). We are picky, and we want certain stuff. I imagine all of us here have lines in the sand that we must have to feel like you've planned a successful event. For me the two biggest sticking points were the tasting menu, some caterers hated that, and these darn RAW files. Do I need to have them, nope, but I want them and if someone is willing to sell them, you can bet I'm willing to pay because they are important to me. Maybe for you that important thing is a certain pattern in the dress, or a certain phrasing in your ceremony. If you really want something, you beat the bushes until you find someone who will sell it to you.

"A three hour dinner is boring"

It is boring. And that caterer has probably heard your requests before and seen how bad they turn out. The reason they say "no" is because you're going to have a guest in there who says "Jesus Christ why is this caterer so slow? I will never hire this company or recommend it to x person who asks for suggestions."

5 -10k on just Photography?

If you did't warn me that it was a bad idea, you'd be remiss in your responsibilities as a doctor.

Your notion that you are reinventing the wheel because the rest of us are too lazy to do so is just getting old.

I rest my case.

Yep 5-10k on photography. I haven't actually spoken with a photographer that is less than that. We kind of just contacted people we liked to see what their price range was and went with that.

You realize what you liked was photography they edited, right?

Why the fuck are we still talking about this?

You know the answer to that. If you don't remember, read up thread. I'm done arguing because I don't care what you think. I'm just here to collect recommendations or have constructive conversation with people who want to do that.

Nothing about this is constructive.

like.

at all.

edit- and I'm an engineer- so I'm pretty familiar with what "constructive" means.

*************.****@*****.*** you can email them here.

Thanks mrsfg. I'll reach out.

Thanks mrsfg. I'll reach out.

Here's a story that might help you. I personally wanted to find a videographer who would give me raw video files on a hard drive, so I could edit my own video. I'm a professional video editor who mostly works in TV. I get paid to edit for a living. I had tons of trouble finding a videographer who would put their work on a drive for me. I do 100% understand why as their work is their brand. What I do to their work, could affect their image and I made sure those willing to work with me knew I understood that. Had I posted what I wanted to do on here, I would have gotten similar responses because it is an unusual request and most videographers won't do it. I did find a few people who were willing to do this for my budget, which was super small compared to yours. I looked at their work and many looked like novices for obvious reasons. I choose the videographer whose work looked the most professional to me. Did I get the work on a hard drive as I wanted? Yes. My point is that if you want something super specific, you need to do the leg work. Be kind to the vendors who you are asking a special request from. Know that most vendors won't do what you want and when you have found two or three, those are who you have to choose from.

I just need to point out the major difference between my story and yours. I am a professional. I had a long technical conversation with the videographer about the work I do and the work he does before he agreed to shoot my wedding. Your profession is a doctor. Photography is your hobby. You may have a hard time finding photographers who will take your seriously as you are an armature with a condescending attitude asking them to do something super unusual that probably isn't really even necessary.

Now to address some of what you've rudely said in your posts. The reason you haven't really gotten suggestions for a photographer that will give you RAW files is because not many good photographers will do that. Despite many posters telling you this, you refuse to believe it. You've found two vendors who will do what you want, book one of them. You likely will not find another.

Jane, I really think you need to lurk before you post again. This forum has a great group of people who give excellent advice. Some of our most valuable members are our vendors. We don't sugar coat things. No one here will be at your wedding and therefore no one has a vested interest in your wedding except you. What Celia, Jay, and others are trying to tell you, comes from them trying to help you. You don't have to take their advice, but you also don't have to insult them and their jobs as wedding professionals.

Eta: I agree with everything Jay, Celia and PPs have told you.

Jane, I'd love to remind you that you aren't the only person who plans events for a living. I constantly do, with the largest being 250 people a few months ago. Its still different than what these Vendors do daily.

I chose my venue and vendors because they are the best. They have far more experience than me and are well known in their field. With my venue for instance, if I asked for your plated dinner I may have received it. However, they probably would have warned me against it. Instead my dinner is an honest to God farm to table meal where the head chef explained where everything is coming from. Its only a white glove four course meal, but it will be delicious and they know how to serve it appropriately. They'll keep the pace of the wedding. Also keeping the pace of the wedding is the DJ, who is an honest pro and one of the best we've seen. I got him through Celia, a vendor you dismissed for her ideas. Our photographer is one of the best in New York City. A small boutique photographer who is coming with one extra photographer and an assistant. They book up quickly and do two separate edits. There is a reason he's got a good reputation, and I'm not going to interrupt his vision.

Also, please stop bragging that you are a Doctor and rich. Those who genuinely have and aren't Nouveau riche don't brag. It takes a lot for me to brag about my plated meals, my awesome photographer, my awesome dj, my awesome videographer, my awesome venue, and my awesome shoes (which I'll bet probably are worth more than the art on your walls). Those who do actually have don't flaunt it like you are trying to. We were raised better!

Jane you're missing the point. Yes you asked a specific question, and if you have been on here for any length of time lurking you would know, when we see and idea that seems a little outrageous, we will voice our opinions. It's done to help brides realize that just because it seems a great idea to them (in their heads) may not be so great. You had VERY respected vendors reply to you, and you completely insulted them and others in their field. You then got on your high horse because well you're a doctor and you've planned tons of events. So which is it? I don't know many docs who have time for event planning.

You have already found photographers who will do what you are wanting, and yes I do understand what you are saying about 2 different photographers editing a different way. I don't know about you, but when I looked at photographers I looked at the over all work, not just the image because it's what they do. It's their art, and their name on the line. You do photography for a hobby I assume since you know you're a doctor and plan events. Best to you at planning, but it sounds like you have some severe control and trust issues.

Also to your comment about vendors telling you something is a bad idea. Do you think it could be because they've had experience with that situation and it didn't end well? Probably not. You are a get what you want kind of bride, and when someone tells you it's a bad idea, you immediately put them down, and say they are horrible at customer service. Most vendors are just trying to help you. It doesn't make them a bad vendor because they aren't gung-ho about your idea. Personally as a wedding guest, I don't want a 3 hour dinner. That's just way too much time eating. Most guests are ready for the party.

I foudn this group when I was looking. I ultimatly decided against them because I wanted a quality photographer, but it looks like they may fit your bill. http://www.dirtcheapweddingphotography.com

I actually think the rudest people on this thread have been the vendors, not the OP. Certain vendors have been far ruder to her than she has to them. They seem to be getting their panties in a twist because she is asking for something out of the norm. It may not be what YOU (or many others) would personally do, but that doesn't mean someone won't, and she was simply asking if anyone knew of someone who would meet her request. This didn't require 100 comments of "you're asking too much; you will NEVER get that; you're a know it all; you are crazy for asking for that"...blah blah. She knows what she wants and is looking for someone to provide that service. Big freaking deal.

I also find it hilarious that photographers are being compared to heart surgeons. They aren't remotely within the same realm and any analogy or comparison is just stupid. One is a matter of life or death, is required to meet a very high level of education and training, has obligations to standards of evidence and practice, and is accountable to a governing body. The other is an art form with none of those things. No one will die of the OP receives raw files.

Jesus Emily white knight all you want. It's something that NOONE in the industry will do.