Photography Deposit?

I think half is reasonable.

The photographer I want is asking half as well, which I can't do at all. Hopefully she doesn't book my date by the time I can

Mine asked for 1/3. Seems reasonable, with a contract of course!

I paid a $1,000 deposit for my photographer. It was less then half, but still a hefty amount.

Hey that was me! The photographer I chose out of the all the responses I got requires half down as well. I think that is pretty much the norm. I'm willing to give it to her because she really negotiated well with me. Definitely pay with a check, not cash so at least you can have a paper trail if something goes wrong. Keep in contact with her over the next few months as well.

My photographer asked for half. It's pretty common.

Yes my top two asked for half down but one in particular said 25% down which would have been 290

Ok! Thanks, everyone! I feel better about it now - I was just a little concerned since I didn't find him through normal channels!

And, I feel your pain @KirstenMichelle! I think this deposit might be FH and my Christmas present to each other! haha

My photographer only took $200 as a deposit for our wedding day. We used her for our e-shoot and she didn't take a deposit at all for that, we just paid her after our shoot was finished.

However, our DJ/Officiate took a 50% deposit. I do think that is the norm... as long as they have really great reviews, I would feel comfortable giving them that amount of money up front.

Yes - I paid half down when I booked him and the rest is due the day of the wedding.

Ours was 50% deposit when we signed contracts. She is essentially family too, but it seemed standard when we were looking. The lowest deposit we heard was 33%.

My photographer also asked for half. I think it's common. Thanks to my amazing grandma, I am actually paying my photographer in full today.

@Jillian! It was you! THANK YOU!

I was having the hardest time finding someone and now I'm getting this amazing guy who I never would have even considered (b/c his normal prices were so high)! This is the happiest I've been in the whole planning process! Thank you for sharing your experience with all of us!

Half is normal.

We put down 1/3, seemed reasonable to me.

That sounds reasonable. Our package is $2,000 and we gave a $600 deposit and our second payment of $700 is due 2 weeks prior and the final payment of $700 is due when we order our pics and albums

Reasonable. Both my photographer and videographer requested half as a deposit. Actually even my venue requested half. The other vendors I used requested anywhere from $200-$500 as a deposit. It just varied.

You're welcome! Glad you found someone I'm very happy with my girl she really has been awesome.

I am with everyone else half is about right.

Half doesn't seem unusual. just make sure you are getting your contract when giving the deposit just in case. make sure you go over the contract before signing and that it is what was agreed upon by the 2 of you. if you have been going back and forth by email keep the emails as back up just in case