Claudia Rodriquez vs. Vanessa Vargas

[lambert13]

One more thing with Vanessa is that she is very accommodating as far as editing styles. As a photog wanna-be myself, I knew what we liked and did not like as far as editing and Vanessa even went as far as to include the un-edited versions of the photos for me to tinker around with.

[pdcbride09]

I think i'm just going to go w/ Claudia. It's hard because there is a $700 difference for the same package! but their pics look great. However, I just received a PM from a bride on here and she is not too pleased w/ her pics from Citalli(Claudia Rodriguez) this is what she said:

I just got my pro pics and honestly it did not exceed my expectation. I guess I got used to seeing pictures from Sol Tamargo's website and she is awesome (also much more expensive).

I paid $1,850 for Citlalli, but I think I got the highest package (5 hours). Depending on what you choose, it'll be cheaper. I guess for the price I paid, they were good pictures, but nothing special. Although some photos came out very nice. Most are regular. One of my friends had a nice camera with great lens and I liked some of his photos better.

If Vanessa Vargas is much cheaper than Citlalli and you think you'll be happy with her pictures then go for it. I'll still recommend Citlalli for the price range she charges and also because she was very nice and easy to deal with.
I'll have to get my husband to post our pictures online. Stay tuned![/i]

So, this review bum's me out..but at the same time she is comparing the pics to Sol's which are phenomenal and VERY expensive. So I don't quite call that a fair comparison.

I just never knew that picking a photographer would be THIS stressful!!!

[lambert13]

I say, go with your gut feeling. Price be damned!

[RyanAmanda]

Originally Posted by pdcbride09

So, this review bum's me out..but at the same time she is comparing the pics to Sol's which are phenomenal and VERY expensive. So I don't quite call that a fair comparison.

I just never knew that picking a photographer would be THIS stressful!!!

I don't mean to stress you out even more (sorry!!!) but, can I throw another photog in the mix? For Del Sol, yep, Mateo and Sol are expensive (but worth every penny if you have the money!). BUT...they have associates that are a lot less. If you hire one of their associates you get the same editing that makes all of the Del Sol pictures look amazing. We hired Sol for our TTD (I'm SOOO excited!!) but for our wedding day itself, we'll have Diego. The associate that's featured on their website is Vincent but he'll be in Europe during our wedding date. So Mateo offered up Diego who's their newest associate. He's been an assistant for them for a while...I think we might be one of the first people to book him as a primary photographer though. I hate to say prices on here (especially since we booked a while ago so it's likely prices have gone up since then) but for Diego (plus his assistant), we're paying $500/hour. You said Claudia was $1500 for 3 hours so really, you could hire a Del Sol associate for the same price. I think Del Sol has a 4 hour minimum but I'm not positive.

[pdcbride09]

Thanks! I didn't know that..I was just on their site looking at their pics and actually went on to the associates page. It states that their packages start @ 3500 so I just forgot about that idea.

What exactly comes w/ your package w/ Diego?

[SunBride]

Originally Posted by pdcbride09

IHowever, I just received a PM from a bride on here and she is not too pleased w/ her pics from Citalli(Claudia Rodriguez) this is what she said:

I just got my pro pics and honestly it did not exceed my expectation. I guess I got used to seeing pictures from Sol Tamargo's website and she is awesome (also much more expensive).

I paid $1,850 for Citlalli, but I think I got the highest package (5 hours). Depending on what you choose, it'll be cheaper. I guess for the price I paid, they were good pictures, but nothing special. Although some photos came out very nice. Most are regular. One of my friends had a nice camera with great lens and I liked some of his photos better.

wow, I think that is the first review I read of Claudia's team that is not completely positive. But it's great, so often we only read positive reviews, and people who aren't happy don't say anything (who came blame them? Some of you will remember reading about what I went through after posting a review of my photographer).

she must have booked a long time ago though, because when I was booking last december teh price for the 5 hour package had already increased to 2200 or 2300$ and it was the same price for the other photographers. I tried getting a discount since Claudia herself wasn't busy but she was firm on the price even for her associates.

I personally would definitely go for Claudia (she is who I planned on getting before booking my photographer). Vanessa's photos are good but Claudia's team seems to get a much larger number of AWESOME photos.

Keep in mind, you may regret splurging on other stuff that doesn't matter so much, but it's very rare that a bride regrets splurging on photography!

[RyanAmanda]

Originally Posted by pdcbride09

Thanks! I didn't know that..I was just on their site looking at their pics and actually went on to the associates page. It states that their packages start @ 3500 so I just forgot about that idea.

What exactly comes w/ your package w/ Diego?

When you go to the associate's page it's Vincents (Diego's isn't ready yet). And yeah, there prices must have gone up. When we booked Vincent's packages started at $2800. We have the smallest package (4 hours) and it includes editing of the pictures and a DVD with 200-250 images all in high resolution. They do packages with albums and stuff but since my sister is a professional photographer, she's going to do that and printing of the pictures for me at cost.

[pdcbride09]

Diego just contacted me and informed me that he is indeed $500/hr at a 3 hour minimum. You can view his work on their website now..if you go to del Sol Photography - Associate Photographer - Diego

All their work looks great! It's just very hard to pic who to choose. There is also another GREAT photographer that I have been in contact that I haven't seen any threads on in here. The website is Zasil Studio I Advertizing, Documentry & Wedding Photographer I Riviera Maya

Their work is comparable I feel to Del Sol! very nice almost magazine like!

I recently asked Claudia's assistant if 3 hours would be enough to film any of our dinner. She stated that if I don't want any getting ready photos that they could switch it around to have some shots of the dinner. She also recommended for us to have the 5 hour package so that we won't feel rushed. I don't want to spend that much money and I think 3-4 hours is plenty. I don't want them there the whole dinner either, seeing that it will be at a restaurant not a reception like atmosphere. I guess the hunt goes on!

[SunBride]

Originally Posted by pdcbride09

She also recommended for us to have the 5 hour package so that we won't feel rushed. I don't want to spend that much money and I think 3-4 hours is plenty.

Why not ask if they can come for 4 hours instead (and charge you halfway between the 3 hour and 5 hour package). I think you would be rushed getting photos of your supper with only 3 hours (especially if it's at another location and you have to include travel time).

[pdcbride09]

Well, our ceremony will be held at Blue Parrot Beach club and the reception will be right next door at Playasia resturant. And if we end up having more people, we would have it at the actual beach club so no travel really needed. Plus I would think since its at the restaurant..how many pics can be taken of us sitting at the table right? Am I thinking this through correctly I think I'm thinking about this too much but I want good pics at an affordable price.

Sorry..I'm just a little stressed w/ this photog issue.