The wedding Photography thread

Wall

Wall

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Hello Good People

So I'm in the process of getting quotations from photographers for my wedding and would like some advice from members so that I don't get a rough deal or get a **** photographer.

Is there a ball park figure that I could use as an estimate?
How to judge quality of photographer?
What should the package include? ( prewedding celeberations + wedding dayt itself, prints, photoshop etc)
Do all photographers do videography as well? I would prefer getting an all in one service, if possible.

Also, it's a Hindi Wedding if that makes a differenc to the cost?

I know the quote would vary drastically on the package selected but useful advice is most welcome :)

Thank you
Wall
 
All photographers have their own unique style. Best bet would be to look at photos that they have taken previously - any tog worth their salt will have a website/blog etc. Then see which fits your needs in terms of style/cost etc
 
Wall said:
Is there a ball park figure that I could use as an estimate?
Click to expand...

Not really, because of the differences in quality, but I'd say most go for between R10k-R20k.


Wall said:
How to judge quality of photographer?
Click to expand...

The quality of the photographs. Sorry, no other way to do it.

Wall said:
What should the package include? ( prewedding celeberations + wedding dayt itself, prints, photoshop etc)
Click to expand...

Each photographer usually has their own package sets, which will include different things at different price points. Less time, less physical product > lower in cost. More time, more physical product > higher in cost.

Wall said:
Do all photographers do videography as well? I would prefer getting an all in one service, if possible.
Click to expand...

Do you mean one person in charge of both? I'd stay away from anything like that. Hire a photographer. And a videographer. Getting both from the same person will lead to mediocrity in both. I've noticed that videographers that work for themselves have a higher quality point. There will be exceptions, but that's just what I've noticed.

Wall said:
Also, it's a Hindi Wedding if that makes a differenc to the cost?
Click to expand...

Only if you need more time, but the time of the ceremony is usually offset by the fact that generally after chowing and family pics, every one goes home. In other ceremonies, the religious part is shorter, but there are more celebrations at the reception.


Wall said:
I know the quote would vary drastically on the package selected
Click to expand...

Definitely.
 
Wall said:
Hello Good People

I know the quote would vary drastically on the package selected but useful advice is most welcome :)

Thank you
Wall
Click to expand...

Very true... having just gone through this a few months ago I can tell you that the prices, packages and photo styles vary drastically. Some guys quoted us R52 000 for 8 hours and some were R6 500 for 10 hours. The unfortunate thing is that you get what you pay for in this game.

The best thing to do is find someone that has not been around for longer than 5 years and is still breaking into the Top 20 photographer market BUT is still very good. There are many!

Here are a few to consider:

http://www.chaniquefourie.co.za/ -> We used her for our engagement and wedding, she is excellent. Mention "Francois and Wendy"
http://www.creativeemporium.co.za/
http://carolineplusben.com/

and if you can afford them

http://www.droreyal.co.za/


There is a big movement towards these soft, retro style photos and then on the other hand also classic, elegant super hi def photos as well. Find someone that does both.

Definitely go to the wedding expo's and grab as many photographer cards as possible and start googleing them all. Also ask you wedding venue for a APPROVED SUPPLIER LIST, these also include ones that know the vevue very well.

With regards to packages, MAKE 100% sure the packages includes the following:

- DVD with ALL your FULL RESOLUTION wedding photo's WITHOUT the photographer logo's on them
- 8-10 hours of photo coverage INCLUDING an assistant
- A photo album option to be added at a later stage if needed
- A date and time range of when to expect your photo's
- A guarantee that they will be ON TIME
- A signed contract stating all of the above

Another tip is to ensure that they wear black semi smart clothes. It looks so horrible having photographers is neon coloured clothes walking around and do the same for the DJ and videographers.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!
 
Randhir said:
Not really, because of the differences in quality, but I'd say most go for between R10k-R20k.




The quality of the photographs. Sorry, no other way to do it.



Each photographer usually has their own package sets, which will include different things at different price points. Less time, less physical product > lower in cost. More time, more physical product > higher in cost.



Do you mean one person in charge of both? I'd stay away from anything like that. Hire a photographer. And a videographer. Getting both from the same person will lead to mediocrity in both. I've noticed that videographers that work for themselves have a higher quality point. There will be exceptions, but that's just what I've noticed.



Only if you need more time, but the time of the ceremony is usually offset by the fact that generally after chowing and family pics, every one goes home. In other ceremonies, the religious part is shorter, but there are more celebrations at the reception.




Definitely.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input, much appreciated.
 
FrannyBenanny said:
Very true... having just gone through this a few months ago I can tell you that the prices, packages and photo styles vary drastically. Some guys quoted us R52 000 for 8 hours and some were R6 500 for 10 hours. The unfortunate thing is that you get what you pay for in this game.

The best thing to do is find someone that has not been around for longer than 5 years and is still breaking into the Top 20 photographer market BUT is still very good. There are many!

Here are a few to consider:

http://www.chaniquefourie.co.za/ -> We used her for our engagement and wedding, she is excellent. Mention "Francois and Wendy"
http://www.creativeemporium.co.za/
http://carolineplusben.com/

and if you can afford them

http://www.droreyal.co.za/


There is a big movement towards these soft, retro style photos and then on the other hand also classic, elegant super hi def photos as well. Find someone that does both.

Definitely go to the wedding expo's and grab as many photographer cards as possible and start googleing them all. Also ask you wedding venue for a APPROVED SUPPLIER LIST, these also include ones that know the vevue very well.

With regards to packages, MAKE 100% sure the packages includes the following:

- DVD with ALL your FULL RESOLUTION wedding photo's WITHOUT the photographer logo's on them
- 8-10 hours of photo coverage INCLUDING an assistant
- A photo album option to be added at a later stage if needed
- A date and time range of when to expect your photo's
- A guarantee that they will be ON TIME
- A signed contract stating all of the above

Another tip is to ensure that they wear black semi smart clothes. It looks so horrible having photographers is neon coloured clothes walking around and do the same for the DJ and videographers.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thank you, much appreciated.
 
Wall said:
Hello Good People

So I'm in the process of getting quotations from photographers for my wedding and would like some advice from members so that I don't get a rough deal or get a **** photographer.

Is there a ball park figure that I could use as an estimate?
How to judge quality of photographer?
What should the package include? ( prewedding celeberations + wedding dayt itself, prints, photoshop etc)
Do all photographers do videography as well? I would prefer getting an all in one service, if possible.

Also, it's a Hindi Wedding if that makes a differenc to the cost?

I know the quote would vary drastically on the package selected but useful advice is most welcome :)

Thank you
Wall
Click to expand...

Also depends on where you are in relation to them. If they have to travel, or take a flight, it may be more.
We had a Hindu wedding in 2013, and one thing is certain, you pay for quality. Get someone who knows / has done hindi weddings before. We paid around R14k for the photographer. But that was for a bit of extra time also, not just the package.
Also, if you want the night/s before done also, it will be an extra cost.

Check out Colin Browne, he's damn good, reasonably prices, quality photo's and a great guy.
www.colinbrowne.co.za

Good luck.
 
Yeah Colin isn't bad at all. @Wall, in which area are you?
 
Wedding photography/videography

Wall said:
Hello Good People

So I'm in the process of getting quotations from photographers for my wedding and would like some advice from members so that I don't get a rough deal or get a **** photographer.
Click to expand...

I photographed a Hindu wedding last weekend as a second photographer so I will try to answer my best.

Is there a ball park figure that I could use as an estimate?
Click to expand...

We charge around R10K for a full day which includes video recording and photography plus editing, but never trust a photographer based on price alone. Unfortunately you can even see on hello peter of "photographers" who have done injustice by producing bad images or missing important moments in a wedding. These are people who thought they can cover a wedding with no experience just because they have a camera.

How to judge quality of photographer?
Click to expand...

Referrals
A lot of our clients are referred clients (brother gets married, then refers sister who will get married next)
therefore I would advise you to ask friends/relatives who had a wedding recently and whether they would recommend their photographer......if they weren't happy and they don't like their photos then you have avoided a bad photographer altogether.

Meet in person
This is very important and necessary if you don't know the photographer, during the meeting your potential photographer must show you photos of a full wedding that they have done.
The more willing they are to do that the better, it means they are proud of their work and have nothing to hide.
Ask to see photos of weddings in the outdoor and photos that were done indoor, this way you can see if they take good photos in different light.
When looking at the photos/videos you will be able to judge for yourself if they
captured the importance of the moment and make sure to take your time.

Has the photographer done a wedding like yours
A wedding photographer has to anticipate what will happen next
and with the hindu tradition there are some rituals that are repeated many times and some are not repeated
which is important to get them as they happen otherwise the photographer might miss them, this is improved with experience mainly.

Get a contract
As the other forumites stated, definitely get a contract as that shows a level of professionalism.

Do all photographers do videography as well? I would prefer getting an all in one service, if possible.
Click to expand...

Not all photographers do videography, but we do both. Hiring an all-in-one team benefits you so you have less to organize and it benefits the said team since they would plan beforehand when not to be in each others' way which would be harder if you hired more than one providers.
Likewise with the photography, ask for videos of Hindu weddings that they recorded, this will show you whether they
use good quality equipment AND if they can record video that has meaning.

Also, it's a Hindi Wedding if that makes a differenc to the cost?
I know the quote would vary drastically on the package selected but useful advice is most welcome :)
Click to expand...

It does make a difference because the Hindu weddings I've been to span more than one day, however not every day of the wedding is a full day so you should get charged accordingly.

Here is a short highlights video of a Hindu wedding that we've done, let me know if you like it.

[video=youtube;ifRpSan2mQk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifRpSan2mQk[/video]

If you are still many months away from the planned wedding date, I would recommend to do a couple engagement shoot with the photographer you feel is best, we had to do one last year and the couple(also Hindu) were so happy that they booked us for their 4-day wedding, this will at least ensure that the photographer can take quality couple photos and that you can get along with them.

Randhir said:
Yeah Colin isn't bad at all. @Wall, in which area are you?
Click to expand...

This
 
Last edited:
IzZzy said:
We're using Christiaan David. Slightly expensive but his quality and style is just amazing (to us).

http://www.christiaandavid.com/
Click to expand...

Really good choice. I have assisted him and also done a workshop with him.

Great guy and his work is amazing.

I booked him for my wedding later in the year. Being a photographer myself I wanted someone I knew I would not have to worry about.
 
I used to be in the Photography game shooting for Super 14 back in the day and had a photo lab. What amused me is the number of people who call themselves photographers because they own an SLR. Make sure you do your research and don't be shy on your budget. A good photographer is expensive. Spend your money on your photos as they last forever and not the bar bill.
 
dynamyt100 said:
I used to be in the Photography game shooting for Super 14 back in the day and had a photo lab. What amused me is the number of people who call themselves photographers because they own an SLR. Make sure you do your research and don't be shy on your budget. A good photographer is expensive. Spend your money on your photos as they last forever and not the bar bill.
Click to expand...

This seems to be happening more and more these days...
I own an SLR, Love photography and have done quite a few shoots where people have loved my work (mostly family and friends who I have not charged) but definitely will not call myself a photographer.

I do know enough about it to get really irritated every time i see a new "photographer" popping up on Facebook etc taking horrible photos on auto with their new SLR.
Ask them what white balance, aperture or ISO is and they have no idea...

Now with my vent being over, I too am seeking a photographer for my wedding next year so following this thread :P
 
Any recommendations for someone in Cape Town? And videographer?
I really just want the digital photos, no photobooks etc (may opt to take them up on that at a later date). And for videographer, edited video and highlights video.
 
AvatarS said:
Any recommendations for someone in Cape Town? And videographer?
I really just want the digital photos, no photobooks etc (may opt to take them up on that at a later date). And for videographer, edited video and highlights video.
Click to expand...

I know of both if you're still looking.
 
Bump.

Any suggestions where to do a post wedding creative shoot in Durban?
 
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