Question about wedding picture prints.

Tammy, I asked Juan what company he would recommend (if not Pictage) and he gave me a few names, I can't remember them all, but I did order from MPix.com. The quality was great and the pricing was very reasonable. He told me absolutely not to get prints at Walmart, Walgreens, kinkos, cvs, etc...but to go with an actual printing company. MPix was fast and relatively inexpensive...I ordered a bunch of prints of my e-pics through them. I haven't actually ordered my wedding pix yet.

Anyone able to pass along any of the Pictage promo codes or email discounts? I am signed up with Pictage but have never received any and want to get some BD prints before my time expires.

Pictage has sent me 2for1 deals but it has been for other weddings that I have viewed. It seems like if I sign up to look at someone else's proofs, then I get a coupon for that wedding. I'm still actually waiting for a deal for my own wedding!!

 

Tammy - I really want to buy some pics soon too and have been debating about ordering from Pictage. I'm not sure when I'll get the CD of all of my proofs from Juan to order on my own.

 

Let me know if anyone finds out how to get the 2for1 deal.

Jen I talked to Juan today and he didn't end up mailing my packet out on Tuesday he said it will go out today.. I'm guessing yours will be mailed out at the same time.

Just a little insight from a photographers point of view who used to use Pictage. I was a Pictage member for about 8 month and just quit a few months ago because I hated their interface, especially on the back end but the customer interface isn't great either. I also kept hearing horror stories about how other photographers clients would call with seriously messed up orders and very bad quality. I didn't want to take that risk with my clients so I terminated my relationship with Pictage.

 

I didn't like that Pictage would send out emails like crazy to my clients as well. Yes, it might be nice to get a sale every now and then but some people we getting constant emails from them. Not cool. This year I wanted to focus more on quality control and branding and I wanted to make sure I knew what my clients were getting and be able to package the prints with my own packing, rather than having Pictage's name all over the packaging.

 

So, I think there is a risk in quality. Most people are fine, but sometimes there are issues, Which usually get resolved. But, there are better options from an interface standpoint as well.

 

I always tell my clients that for 4x6's, Costco or someplace like that is fine. But for larger prints, order through me because the lab I use has great quality. I would find a pro lab near you to order larger prints from.

 

Hope this helps a little.

thanks Jonathon, that does help a lot

jonathon- thanks that does help a lot!

thanks that does help

Thanks Jonathan! Another ? for you. Which matters more the paper or the printer/ink? Some tout Kodak papers etc. What should we really care about?

Most professional labs aren't using ink. Prints are actually printed in a true photographic process so the prints are true photographs and not printed with ink printers. Paper quality is somewhat of a concern but that almost boils down to what your preference is. Glossy, matte, textured, etc.

What really makes the difference is how the machines are calibrated, how often they are calibrated and how well they are maintained. I could run the same print through the same machine at two different times and it may come out different, if the machine isn't well maintained. The true test of a real professional lab is consistency. Some labs will print with slightly warmer colors and some cooler. Most professional photographers will find a lab they want to use and calibrate their monitors based on the calibration formula's the lab will give them. For me, i've found that the color I see on my monitor is pretty consistent with the lab I use. I'm not terribly picky about color but that's because the type of photography I do doesn't need me to be dead on with color. If I did more commercial photography I would need my color to be exactly how I see it on my screen when I print so my clients can have consistent color. Sorry... I'm sure that's more than you need to know. :-)

Basically, I would suggest paying more for larger prints by using ordering through your photographer or by finding a pro lab. The paper is more your preference.