Video/Photo Package Deals

[barrow]

Hello, My fellow Brides

I need your guidance. My FI and I came across this deal on photography and video package. I try to sign up for any thing possible that we can get services for free, I received an offer from the Knot for a free picture package. Now we are getting married in Ocho Rios Jamaica, so even if we get the free package we would be ok with paying for travel expenses. So, we won, and the deal is never what it seems, we received a free photo shoot for a free 11 X 15 picture of us and a 2 night/ 3day stay at any hotel in a few places across the US. Thats' good but not what I originally wanted. Atleast we could use the free 11X15 for everyone to sign. But, the next step was for them to pitch their services to us at what they call wholesale prices. And for 3 and 1/2 hours that man pitched it. Pitched it so good, we never thought we would be considering to pay 6,000 for these services. We really thought it would be better and cheaper to get someone in Jamaica to do these services, but he brought out points about that that we did not think about. Not getting pics and them being so far away for access, the quality, not seeing their work in hand, websites can be altered, printing pics on CD for us in low resolution, ect. So, let me get to the pictch.

-The company will pay for the video and picture person to travel to Jamaica, and pay for their accomodations
-We will get unlimited hours of shooting while they stay
-100 pictures mounted in a book "magazine style"
- 2 mini photo books for parents
-Website with all our pictures and video for family to view
-all our negatives, without the stamped across the faces of who did the pics so that we can print then anywere
-3 DVD's
All for 6,000/if we opt to help on accomodations they will drop it to 5,000. Or we can just get them to come take pictures and video for a smaller fee, and upgrade to all the goodies later when we get back and can afford more. What should I do?

[Be Photography LLC]

that does not sound bad..... especially for both video and photo. - of course, quality, style and approach is more important than price! -- but for 6,000 they are probably competively priced for travel photogs - so you should have your choice of pretty much any travel photog in the world!

I'm sure the points they made about local photogs vs. travel photogs are valid -- but there I'm sure the local photogs would make their share of good points as well.

Of course, I am biased - but i tend to lean towards travel photogs who regularly shoot at all kinds of differnet locations. -- There are some other threads on this site about the benefits and drawbacks from both sides of the argument.

Best of luck in planning!

[barrow]

Thanks so much. I am sure everyone has there share of points.

[O'Driscoll Photography]

Whichever way you decide to go, make sure you get a contract which clearly spells out everything that you'll be getting included in the package such as the amount of hours of coverage, albums, travel, etc.

Best wishes,
Tod

[cheese_diva]

My first thought was if their work is that good, why the 3.5 hour pitch? I would be leary of the great "deal" you're getting. ($6,000 is allot of money!)

Just be sure to check all your other options before signing a contract. Have you found other brides that have used their services for a destination wedding? Seen samples of full weddings and not just the great photos? Video can be either really good or really bad depending on the editing.. be sure to see several samples.

Best of luck!

[barrow]

Thanks guys. I think we are opting to go with a photographer in Jamaica. Many of them come so recommended and if others have used them with no compplaints i guess I can.