To splurge or not to splurge

That's about average for where I'm from

If you really want to use this photographer and can afford it or can reallocate money in the budget to make it work, absolutely do it! You won’t regret having amazing photos afterwards.

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That is an amazing deal and I would absolutely take it, especially if you already love the work.

3k sounds high for 5 hours. Again there are 2 photographers and it could just be the area. Ours is just under 2k for 2 photographers for 4 hours.

View Quoted Comment Thank you ALL for your input. She emailed me back and apologized for the inaccurate original email. It’s 3,000 for two of them and for 8 HOURS not 5. Retouched images and a photo book. I will also have a vintage van for photo-booth photos as well. I guess there won’t be any shortage of pictures. Thanks for all the feedback I really appreciate it. Also, to everyone asking I live In NY. The land of everything being overpriced

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I would say join a California or a fbook page of your city because I was browsing through the one I joined for my area and saw some reasonably priced photographers. Just found another that will charge $400 for up to 4 hours.

I believe that's around average. I would recommend splurging for a photographer you're really confident in, as long as you can make the necessary adjustments in your budget to account for it.

Everyone will always say it depends mostly on where you live! Of course also you get what you pay for in quality and experience. Average prices near me I believe are $3,500+ just for minimum prices. I originally budgeted $2,000, however when I found someone who was $2,900 fitting exactly my style, I decided to splurge a little more

View Quoted Comment In that case, she’s giving you a good price If you would book the van photobooth alone it would probably cost around $1000. I say go for it if you love her work

That sounds like an average price to me- especially if engagement photos are a part of the price! Are photos included or are those extra?

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With that new info in mind, the price is very reasonable!

We were originally paying $2,400 for 8 hours of coverage, 2 photographers (the lead and her assistant), and that included an engagement session as well. We just recently upgraded to the $2700 package after our engagement shoot because we were so thrilled with the results. That basically adds on two additional hours of coverage, longer online gallery access, and a photo album. (& this is northeast Ohio for reference.)

I got married 2 months ago, I paid close to that and I do not regret it at all. There are def other things I would have cut corners on. Photos will be there forever. Just remember that. And if you LOVE her, go for it

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That sounds like a good deal to me. We agreed to splurge a bit on photography, since it documents the entire day. One of the most important factors for me was to have someone I felt comfortable with, since this person will be with you all day.

I think that price is pretty average for around me however that usually includes coverage of the entire day! I think 3000 is a little much for only 5 hours of coverage. However, it is totally up to you! Maybe you guys can work out a deal if you voice your love for their work but preference on having more hours if you’re going to be spending that much.

I’ve been going by the quote “my prices reflect my experience, not your budget” if you are going to regret not hiring her then go for it! However, if you’re going to have to skip on other important details to make up the cost maybe you should look for a more affordable pro. For comparison my photographer is $1,200 for rights to all of our photos, 6 hours day of, and our engagement session included and her pictures are gorgeous!

I’m looking at something like $3900 (after tax) for all day shots, 12x12 book, $250 worth of prints, engagement shots, the whole 9 yards. But they did my friends wedding and I LOVED how comfortable they made us feel and how beautiful the shots came out. I’m sure it will be more because we are doing a destination wedding but totally worth it for shots that will last a lifetime

We get married in June! I splurged on the photographer it was about that much! She did our engagement pics and I felt beautiful in them. I wanted beautiful pictures and I so far think it was extremely worth it! I love knowing I am not going to be one of those brides with some horror story of ruined photos and I will have something I will love showing because I feel good working with her and her shots make me look beautiful..

WORTH IT

I think with photography that is the one area that you should most definitely splurge. In my area, the average is around 5k.
Pictures are something you are going to have to look back on for the rest of your life so I say do it.
We ended up paying 7k for a package with engagement shoot and album ect and it was worth every penny.

View Quoted Comment I would jump on that. In Columbia, SC you get basic photographery at 3000. You need to spend closer to 5K to get what you describe. We choose a photographer on IG that I liked that is just starting out and paid 2400 for 2 photographers for 9 hours and a "free" engagement session.

We paid just under $1700 for ours. That included engagement shoot with edited images (digital), 9 hours, second shooter, and digital rights to 800+ wedding photos. We are located in the Midwest and she is only a few years into her professional business so I think we got a really good deal. $3000 seems high to me for only 5 hours.