finding a photographer

I am getting married in Tulum, and don't know the first thing about booking a photographer.  I have done some research on local vendors, and begun to get pricing.  My question is I need advice on going rates and how long I really need a photographer for?  What are the important things I NEED??  Thanks ladies!

Hola Bride81!

OK, so I hope that I can help a bit! I know it can all be so overwhelming! So, a few things to note, choosing a photographer is quite possibly one of the most important things you will do! Your pics will be with you forever, and you need to be sure you make the most of every second with your photographer! You want to be sure you choose a Destination Wedding Photog with a lot of experience as they are trained to get the best out of you for your pics too! They will know how to lead you properly, and get the "Money Pics" so to speak! So pay close attention to their portfolios!

As for cost, this can really range! based on packages, and overall experience and portfolios! Don't get fooled by the hype though either...Some of the best Photogs in this area may not have all the glitzy websites, but they are really really great at what they do!

As for timing, this is based on what events you will hold! Getting ready pics are great, and FULL of emotion! You will most definatly want a photographer for before, during and at least a one hour photo shoot after the wedding! If you give me a bit more detail on your day I can give you a bit more of a timeline!  I can also refer you to our photographers pricing and packages to give you a gage on what to look for! ALSO: are you wanting to do a TTD session? This is a ton of fun, and being offered as part of packages now as well! 

Hope this helps a bit, and let me know more deets so I can get you a bit more info to be sure you get exactly what you need!

Kristee:)

www.fresaweddings.com

thank you kristee!!  that is very helpful!  I am learning so much on all this wedding planning.  It's really pushing my creativity  

Picking a photographer is really important like Kristee had mentioned.  Make sure to have a connection with your photographer.  Prices can and will range.  

1) make sure you view a full wedding.  If you have a photographer in mind, be sure to ask them to see a full wedding. 

2) make sure you have a connection with your wedding photographer.  This is a person/people who you will spend your whole wedding day with.  

3) make sure their style matches what you like.   

Let us know if you have any questions, and we would be happy to answer them for you. 

Nora and Chris Photography

www.nandcphotography.com

Hello,

I hope I can give you a little help with your question choosing a photographer ??

Well it's very easy first you have to check a lot of websites of the photographers in the area, make a pre selection of 5 photographers you like the most, when I say ( you like the most ) I mean in your budget, in the pictures he makes, if is your style or the kind of pictures you want to be on it, in the experience, if you can have an outside vendor of photography in your resort, ( sometimes the resort charge you an extra fee to have an outside photographer ) if you are in touch with the photographer, how serious or responsible or commit is in his answers to you, the package he has, if he covers your expectations, if you came for the scouting of the resort you have to ask him for an appointment, also how is the way of payment, and after the wedding when you receive your pictures and how, I hope this helps you, feel free of ask me anything without any compromise have a great week

Mike Razo 

www.mexicanweddingphotos.com

You should look into Hideki Falcon www.buttonup.mx.com.

He shot my wedding last month and was incredible! He is a total doll, a handsome sweetheart and his photos are just lovely.

I worked in the photo business as an agent in NYC for years and am very picky about photography.

Hideki's was the best I found- a good deal- and a great guy!
Check him out. Seriously- he was FABULOUS!
 

Best of luck!
Megan

So many of the photographers sites I have looked at so far do not seem to list prices for their packages. Is this an industry norm? As I find it to be rather evasive. I am still in very early stages of wedding planning, so have not taken these steps yet, but are most photographers willing to give you straight forward pricing info if you contact them directly?

Yes, the will all give you their price list if you contact them directly. Almost none post their prices online. Keep in mind that most charge by the hour, so if your ceremony is at noon, with a reception at 6, you will paying for a lot more hours. Most will tell you to get a later ceremony time to not only cut down on costs, but to get the best light for pictures.

Thanks Tlseege for your post...

As I'm just starting out on the wedding planning journey (lol) I haven't even begun to look closely at options for photographers.  However, I do know that pictures are going to be one of the most important things to me and I will no doubt be spending countless hours trying to make my decisions.  I really appreciate your advice on some of the details to consider - really puts things in perspective. Thank you!!

.Quote:

Originally Posted by Tlseege 

Yeah, it's an industry thing to not clearly list out pricing.  I have it on my website and I actually get emails from other photographers asking me to take it down.  It's kind of ridiculous if you ask me.  Knowledge is power.

 

As for finding out what you NEED, that's always tough. 

Do you want prints for your house?  Canvas?  Large prints. 

  ie: take a piece of paper and hang it on your wall.  Step back.  That's larger than an 8x10 and more than likely, it looks really tiny on your wall.  So a photographer that gives you 5x7 prints isn't going to be what you want.  You'll want a DVD of images so you can make your own

Do you want a wedding album?

  ie: 20 years from now when your children want to see your wedding photos, how will you show them?  Will the disc of images you're given be like a floppy disc now, where there are no medias to play them on?  An album is timeless and classic and allows your images to be heirlooms

Do you want all day wedding coverage?

  ie: is it important for your wedding images to tell the story of your day?  To me, that story begins with the bride and groom getting ready.  All the anticipation and excitement.  And it ends at the reception dancing the night away with family and friends.  To others, they only need pictures of the ceremony and family formals afterwards. 

 

Good luck in your search!