Photographer - company vs individual?!!

We worked with a similar company for our DJ. He ran the company and worked with 4 or 5 other DJs to offer different price points and DJ styles. We hired the guy that ran the company though because it was huge thing for us to know we were getting the best entertainment possible (he was also the most expensive). With that said, I think if you're looking at it from a budget perspective, it's a great way to hire someone that you know has a company depending their reputation but is still a slightly lower cost than someone independent.

Can you review the portfolio of the photographer you'd be hiring through the company? Are you assigned a specific person that you'll get to meet with ahead of time? If I didn't get to see their work or meet with them to know if I'd like them or not then I wouldn't go with the corporate group.

Personally, as a a general rule, I would rather spend my money with a small local company than a big corporation. With the corporation, do you actually get to interview the photographer that will be at your wedding, or do they just send out who ever is available? If you cant pick your specific photographer with the company I wouldn't like that. But ultimately I would go with whoever is going to give you the best pictures, if you can get the pictures you want from the company with the discounted package, go with them.

There are a bunch of photographers who work for this company, so we would be able to look over their portfolio's and choose one that we like, depending on availability. Their package includes 2 photographers and also includes an engagement session - so I figured that would be helpful in that we'll get to meet/become comfortable with the photographer before the big day.

If you get to pick the photographer you like at the company, then go with them. If you don't you're running the risk of getting photos you may hate. Narrow it down to one then ask about doing your engagement photos so you get a better feel for the photographer before hand. You'll probably even get a discount for adding the engagement session if you do go with them. Unless you already have your engagement photos then forget what I just said lol.

Sorry we must've commented at the same time lol. Don't forget to check into reviews for this company as well! Google the heck out of them!

We are going with an independent photographer that my FH's family knows. She has shot weddings, including one at our venue. I am taking a big risk in choosing her because she doesn't have the amount of experience of large companies (or even some independent photographers), but her camera is exceptional and her photographs are top quality. If you are strapped financially, I would recommend hunting for a similar photographer. Since they are trying to break into the business, they are going to try even harder to make sure you have the best photographs. Plus- we get her all day, a second shooter, all copyrights, and an album for $1,000!

Which style of pictures do you like best, that's in your budget? I'm all about the pictures. A few hundred dollars will not matter over the course of your marriage, but the quality of your photos will last forever (and for generations to come...)

If all are within your budget, definitely pick the one that you like the best not the one that offers the best value as you said you want amazing photos to remember the special day!

I'm all for personalized service...that's why I chose my individual photographer...we email periodically, we share ideas, we are even meeting for lunch. I know that my money will be helping her and her business...not pay for extra things, etc. That you'd deal with for a large company...just my personal preference.

I also looked at a large company for my photographer, but decided I wanted a more personal touch, so I went with an independent photographer instead. Not being able to meet the photographer until two weeks out was a deal breaker and I was also nervous about the last minute substitution possibility, which I read about happening with a few of those companies.

Our photographers are a wife and husband team...I have found they are great. Its wonderful to have a woman and a man because you get both perspectives and also married couples make a great team.

It's such a personal service, and when hiring a national company, you don't even know who they are sending. I hate that idea and the fact they even exist. A wedding photographer typically spends more time with you before, during, and after the event than any other vendor. Individual all the way Here are more detailed points. http://www.jayfarrellphotography.com/national-companies-wedding-photography/

And like I would advise my own sister, best friend, etc. when looking for photographers, stop looking on such a large scale, and overwhelming yourself. Emailing 20 plus photographers gets you nowhere except exhausted. It's better to take time to look at their style and blogs, etc, and know their style is right for you and your wedding, before even contacting them. That way in the final stages of narrowing down, you are left with 2 or 3 to choose from, and personality etc. and overall passion about their work can help you make a better informed decision. I've heard of some who just end up saying F it and hire the one stop shop and get whatever they give, all because they made it hard on themselves.

Good point Nicoletta, and it's a commonly used marketing tool. Sometimes it's accurately represented....other times it's marketing fluff, and in reality only one of them is really a photographer. The other just knows enough to put it on auto and hope they get a few. I meet them all the time at wedding networking meetings.

Then again if I had a wife who wanted to be involved, I'd market the shit out of that, even if she only came along as an assistant to me! Somehow added credibility.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone! I really appreciate the feedback. I'm afraid to say, we ended up booking a photographer through the company. We met with a consultant and had a great experience - he didn't pressure us to buy anything and seemed to have a great grasp on what we're looking for. We got to look through full wedding albums by a bunch of their photographers, and chose one that we absolutely fell in love with. She's already been in touch with me and we're planning an engagment session in the next couple months, so I'm really happy that we'll get to meet her and work together before our wedding in October. And in the end, their price was something that we were much more comfortable spending. So hopefully it all works out! Thanks again all