$500 to bring in my own photographer!

just a quick update.

 

WAS $500 fee or 2 nights hotel reservation for outdide photographer and videographer

 

NOW $500 fee or 3 nights hotel reservation for outside photographer and videographer

Why would these resorts be willing to lose many thousands of dollars in revenue over a bride/groom bringing in an outside vendor That is just absurd!!

Quite simply- because the brides are still sucking into the idea of "the perfect day", which requires the perfect place, which requires paying the fees, etc....
So for every 1 bride who is willing to say no, I'm not going to pay that fee- there are countless others willing to step up to that plate, pay the fee, and the resort wins in the end...

Stupid, yes- but true...

Totally agree!!!

I just wanted to follow up to this post so the awareness is still fresh on folks minds. In the Riviera Maya, there is this franchise giant named Karisma. They own 5 hotels opening 2 more soon. They host thousands and thousands of weddings annually.

 

We have been trying to talk to them about their fee policy and all they care about is $$.

Our studio had an inquiry today, with the response from the bride:

Now, here is a slight problem we have been running

into with the Azul (Fabio is the person I'm now

working with, I think he is in the States). I have

asked to bring in a photographer, they told me I could

not unless i paid for a 3 night stay!!! Obviously, you

have worked there and I have friends who are also

getting married at the Azul right before us and guess

what? you or your wife are shooting their wedding. I

know my friends did not have to pay a crazy amount to

the hotel to bring you guys there. So, any

suggestions? Sorry to put this on you...

 

 

Previously, Azul actually worked for us... not anymore. My advice to this bride is to state the obvious. We are actually acting as a referral tool for this Hotel, shouldnt there be some sort of deal? NOPE, $ talks.

 

 

 

Just FYI

 

Matt

 

PS, we have had tons and tons of requests for Karisma Hotels since the original posting of this thread. They are hardcore about this fee / 3 night thing....

I am having my wedding at the Iberostar resort and they are charging a $300 outside photgrapher fee. I am hoping I can negotiate that fee once we get there since we will be paying for a lot of "extras" maybe they will cut us a deal. If not, we just have to cough up the $300 so we can have the photographer we want. I didn't mean to hijack, but all these fees get me fired up!

My main problem is that the guests don't need to stay 3 nights. Also, the photographers that they offer are charging 500 for top packages, and after reviewing their portfolio, I don't actually classify the work being delivered as even medium quality. 3 nights stay in one of these resorts at $250 per person...



good luck though with your endeavors to get the better rate, you deserve it, I'm sure!

Cheers,
M

I know it really sucks. However, before you make any arrangements with the resort photographer, I'd check with the photographer you hired to make sure it's okay if you have the resort photographer there as well. Many times photographers don't want other photographers there because they might get in the way, ruining shots and also taking photos which would lead to lost reprint sales. Many photographers have a clause in their contract that they are they only paid photographer attending.

Just a heads up on that.

They really can't do anything if your photographer is already staying at the resort. But, if you hire a local photographer who is just coming in for the day, technically they can do what they want. Even though it's not right. I'm not sure how to get things to change other than telling resorts that do this, that you will take your business elsewhere.

If brides take a stand against these policies, eventually things will change. You really need to find out about their policies very early on so that if you want to take your business and money elsewhere, you can, without losing any money. If you do have to make other arrangements, make sure these resorts know how much money they are losing out on.

It's really their choice, they can lose the $500 fee they want to charge you, or they can lose the $1000's by not having you and your guests stay there.

It might be more worthwhile to address this fee before you get there. We had chosen Iberostar when we were first planning and were told of the fee. I guess I look at it like this....once your guests start booking and you start planning the wedding there, what is the resorts incentive to cut you a break on this? You have much more "power" to negotiate NOW, before you're locked in and your guests start booking...

This is ridiculous! My TA emailed to enquire about this and got an email yesterday saying exactly that! 3 nights or $500 bucks - ... let me get this straight.. we will basically book out the majority of the resort and they want to charge me an extra amount for a good photog? Makes me sick..