As a wedding photographer, I am regularly contacted by couples who are looking to save money on their wedding photos. This is understandable as it can be a considerable expense. Unfortunately, most couples sacrifice quality in order to save money.
In this article, I propose five simple ways to save money without foregoing quality. Hopefully, you the reader will find them helpful in planning your wedding.
1. Add Your Photographer to Your Registry
It may seem strange but it is actually a very simple and cost saving process. There are many programs already in place that allow you to add not only your photographer but other vendors to your registry. Some of these programs require a minimum contribution.
The system I use is to create a web-page for the couple which has a "donation" button allowing your family and friends to contribute any amount they want towards your wedding or album package. You are notified before the event what your balance is and you receive a custom gift-certificate at the wedding from each guest who contributed.
2. Opt for Digital Proofing Only
Another simple idea since 75% of wedding photographers shoot digitally these days (and the percentage is growing). Your photographer can either create an online gallery for you to view your photos and purchase prints or they can supply you with a CD of digital images you can use for proofing.
How is this saving you money? Printed proofs cost the photographer money. Then they have to pick up the prints from the lab (or pay to have them delivered) and take the time to put them in a proof book for you. All of that adds up to more money the photographer is going to charge you. And with digital photography allowing photographers to take more and more photos (sometimes over 1000 pictures for a full day wedding), do you really want to have to sort through hundreds of proof prints?
3. Make Your Own Prints
Many photographers will provide you with a set of digital copies of your photos - some include it with their packages, others require an additional fee (depending on the resolution of the images), and still others release the images to their clients after a set period of time following the wedding (6 months or a year usually). This way you can print your own photos as needed.
The drawback to this strategy is that your photographer will be able to provide you with higher quality prints than you will get at your local lab. However, if you know you will only want mostly smaller prints (4x6 or 5x7) - you could save money and just purchase larger prints a-la-carte from your photographer.
4. Get a Set Print or Album Package When You Book Your Photographer
If you know exactly how many pictures or what type of album you want when you book your photographer, it is possible to save money by creating a custom package with your photographer. With the amount of time between booking and your wedding, it is possible for the cost of prints or albums to go up by the time you decide to order (or your photographer may raise their prices). If you lock in your price from the beginning, you can save money.
Also, I have found that couples who think they can save money by ordering their album after the wedding end up taking at least 12 months before ordering their album - at which point album prices have gone up considerably.
5. Marketing for Your Photographer
Many couples in the process of planning their wedding are in touch with many other couples. Whether at bridal expos or using online bulletin boards, you can be of great use to your photographer in reaching other potential clients.
Approach your photographer about marketing for them by spreading the word about their business. If you refer a customer who books with your photographer, see if they can credit you a percentage of the package the client you referred books (or a flat dollar amount - whichever works for your photographer). Just remember you only get a credit if the person you refer books with your photographer - and make sure there is a way for you to find out if they booked with your vendor.
I hope you find these tips helpful - feel free to visit my website - www.fatchett.com - or email me if you have any questions.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Proposal Photography
With the holiday season upon us, it is that time of year when men decide to pop the big question.
Whether you are planning to ask around Christmas or New Year’s or you are waiting for Valentine’s Day, it is already time to be putting some more thought into how you are going to propose.
I’m sure you have put a lot of thought into where and when, but have you considered documenting the big moment? More and more men are hiring photographers to snap candid photos of the event. And why not? What better way to show her that you really put some effort into your proposal than by getting a photographic record of it?
Now if you are looking to hire a photographer to shoot your proposal, there are some things to consider:
1. The Element of Surprise - You don’t want her to know that you are about to ask so having a photographer standing next to you with an elaborate camera set-up is probably not a good idea (unless you tell her you hired someone to take some pictures of the two of you - it is an idea but you have to set that up beforehand to avoid arousing suspicions)
2. Location, Location, Location - I can not stress enough the importance of choosing your location properly if you want someone to photograph your proposal. Many men come to me saying they want to propose to their girlfriend in Central Park after dinner . . . while this is very romantic, it poses a number of problems. From November to February, it gets pretty dark in Central Park after 5 pm and there are not a lot of people around (so your photographer may look suspicious). Wherever you decide to pop the question, if you want someone to photograph it - choose a location where there are going to be some people around (or where your photographer can hide a reasonable distance away) and there is going to be a fair amount of light.
3. Find the Light - You don’t want your photographer to have to depend on using a flash (giving away the surprise) so if you are proposing at night, find a spot where there is light on you (a street light above you will provide dramatic lighting if nothing else is available). If you can manuever into a place where there is light hitting your face, all the better.
4. Your Photographer - Hiring the right photographer is of the utmost importance. To shoot a proposal properly your photographer has to be part actor, part papparazzi, and part spy. I have had to pretend to be a tourist, hide in bushes, and tail a couple for close to an hour just to get the right shot. A clumsy or ill-prepared photographer could give everything away. Your photographer also needs to have the right equipment for the job (low-aperture, high speed lenses that work in low light conditions so they do not need to rely on a flash)
5. Preparation and Planning - Go over your plan with your photographer several times (at least) beforehand. Have a back-up plan in case the spot you are going to is too crowded or there is some unforeseen occurrence (police activity, car accident, labor strike - don’t laugh I have seen it happen). Also have some way to communicate with your photographer - I find that text messaging is a very good way to stay in touch and doesn’t seem odd.
In the end, remember that you are showing her that you want to remember the look on her face when you asked her to marry you - FOREVER! And that, is priceless…having the photos to show afterwards earns you some major brownie points…
Whether you are planning to ask around Christmas or New Year’s or you are waiting for Valentine’s Day, it is already time to be putting some more thought into how you are going to propose.
I’m sure you have put a lot of thought into where and when, but have you considered documenting the big moment? More and more men are hiring photographers to snap candid photos of the event. And why not? What better way to show her that you really put some effort into your proposal than by getting a photographic record of it?
Now if you are looking to hire a photographer to shoot your proposal, there are some things to consider:
1. The Element of Surprise - You don’t want her to know that you are about to ask so having a photographer standing next to you with an elaborate camera set-up is probably not a good idea (unless you tell her you hired someone to take some pictures of the two of you - it is an idea but you have to set that up beforehand to avoid arousing suspicions)
2. Location, Location, Location - I can not stress enough the importance of choosing your location properly if you want someone to photograph your proposal. Many men come to me saying they want to propose to their girlfriend in Central Park after dinner . . . while this is very romantic, it poses a number of problems. From November to February, it gets pretty dark in Central Park after 5 pm and there are not a lot of people around (so your photographer may look suspicious). Wherever you decide to pop the question, if you want someone to photograph it - choose a location where there are going to be some people around (or where your photographer can hide a reasonable distance away) and there is going to be a fair amount of light.
3. Find the Light - You don’t want your photographer to have to depend on using a flash (giving away the surprise) so if you are proposing at night, find a spot where there is light on you (a street light above you will provide dramatic lighting if nothing else is available). If you can manuever into a place where there is light hitting your face, all the better.
4. Your Photographer - Hiring the right photographer is of the utmost importance. To shoot a proposal properly your photographer has to be part actor, part papparazzi, and part spy. I have had to pretend to be a tourist, hide in bushes, and tail a couple for close to an hour just to get the right shot. A clumsy or ill-prepared photographer could give everything away. Your photographer also needs to have the right equipment for the job (low-aperture, high speed lenses that work in low light conditions so they do not need to rely on a flash)
5. Preparation and Planning - Go over your plan with your photographer several times (at least) beforehand. Have a back-up plan in case the spot you are going to is too crowded or there is some unforeseen occurrence (police activity, car accident, labor strike - don’t laugh I have seen it happen). Also have some way to communicate with your photographer - I find that text messaging is a very good way to stay in touch and doesn’t seem odd.
In the end, remember that you are showing her that you want to remember the look on her face when you asked her to marry you - FOREVER! And that, is priceless…having the photos to show afterwards earns you some major brownie points…
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Great Idea - the Busy Bride Calling Card
From our friends over at C and G Weddings comes the Busy Bride Calling Card. Couples spend countless hours visiting vendors and the process can be very daunting. Filling out forms at every location can lead to possible mistakes in your contact information.
Now it is no longer an issue! Save time and frustration by handing your calling card to vendors, family members and friends.
Click here to view more details and order.
From our friends over at C and G Weddings comes the Busy Bride Calling Card. Couples spend countless hours visiting vendors and the process can be very daunting. Filling out forms at every location can lead to possible mistakes in your contact information.
Now it is no longer an issue! Save time and frustration by handing your calling card to vendors, family members and friends.
Click here to view more details and order.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Jess & Rob in the New York Post
Always nice to see clients in the newspaper...
Check out more of their story by clicking here
Always nice to see clients in the newspaper...
Check out more of their story by clicking here
Labels:
announcements,
new york post,
photographer,
wedding
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Free Engagement Photo Day!
It's that time of year again - time for the Fatchett Photography Free Engagement Photo Day! This season's session will take place on Sunday, October 7th.
Each couple will receive one free high-resolution retouched digital image from their session. Additional copies and prints can be purchased at your convenience.
If you or anyone you know is interested in having engagement photos taken, this is a great opportunity. Space is limited so sign up soon. Contact me at photo@fatchett.com to reserve a space.
It's that time of year again - time for the Fatchett Photography Free Engagement Photo Day! This season's session will take place on Sunday, October 7th.
Each couple will receive one free high-resolution retouched digital image from their session. Additional copies and prints can be purchased at your convenience.
If you or anyone you know is interested in having engagement photos taken, this is a great opportunity. Space is limited so sign up soon. Contact me at photo@fatchett.com to reserve a space.
Labels:
engagements,
free,
new york city,
photographer,
photos
A link between Fatchett Photography and fertility?
Yes, I realize that most couples decide to start a family after getting married, but a dozen of my clients from the last two years have welcomed babies into the world in the last year.
Coincidence? I wonder...
Yes, I realize that most couples decide to start a family after getting married, but a dozen of my clients from the last two years have welcomed babies into the world in the last year.
Coincidence? I wonder...
Labels:
babies,
children,
photographer,
weddings
Friday, June 22, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Free Engagement Photo Day
Yes, I know it has been over a month. But I have been swamped with weddings, events and other photo shoots. So you finally get to see some of the pictures! Thanks to all of the couples who made it such a great day. I am looking forward to making it a regular event.
You can see what I have been up to, including the Free Engagement Photo Day, in the posts below.
Yes, I know it has been over a month. But I have been swamped with weddings, events and other photo shoots. So you finally get to see some of the pictures! Thanks to all of the couples who made it such a great day. I am looking forward to making it a regular event.
You can see what I have been up to, including the Free Engagement Photo Day, in the posts below.
Labels:
central park,
engagements,
free,
new york,
photographer,
photos,
portraits,
weddings
Many thanks to Sarah and Andrew for coming all the way over from England with their family to get married at the Waldorf Astoria. I had a great time being part of what was a wonderful wedding!
Labels:
england,
photos,
waldorf astoria hotel,
wedding,
wedding photographer
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