Photographers...yet another question from me!

First off, Seldex is a quality product, top of the line. They do both matted and flushmount albums. The art album you mentioned (matted) is really best suited for portraits. They can do a selection of matts but, more than one image in a 9x9 album on a side, means very tiny images. I wouldn't bother to be honest, because it's still not a cheap product, just smaller.

I would bet that it isn't 15 pages in that album package tho, probably 15 leafs ( 30 pages, or sides), which is quite a nice size for a wedding album. I don't know what you were quoted, so it's hard for me to say much really. Without knowing the coverage offered, etc, I can't speak for the absent photographer on if it's possible to reduce the coverage to lower the package.

If you like the photographer, just ask them what other options in albums you could use, they know that there are loads of album companies out there. But I doubt you will get much of a discount on the album, because there is a huge cost of them to the photographer, and that's before a single shot is taken, or the album is designed.

Best to talk to the photographer really.

Good luck!

Teri

WTS

Hi,

I'm a wedding tog and I would certainly ask him/her if you can have the smaller album.

I've had couples ask for something slightly different to what I offer and I'm more than happy to oblige. I can't see them not meeting your needs. After all, they want your business!

Hope everything goes well on your big day!

AJ

Thanks for your replies.

I'd asked about reducing the coverage to get the price down at my consultation and they will look into whether they can negotiate on the price of the listed 11x14 album. But I know that the album is a large part of their costs and don't want to do them out of their profit.

It was £1300 ( I really don't want to spend more than £1000 absolute max!) for coverage from me getting ready to the fake cutting of the cake. I've seen their work and it's really good. A DVD slide show is included (not printable form but really well done and set to music) and a couple of 10x8 folder mounted pics (which we probably wouldn't include) and 3 single sides in the album as flush printed....

I'm thinking of suggesting coverage from the ceremony only, no folder mounted pics and only one double page flush photo, if this is possible in the smaller album. Not sure now though as a couple of you have said they would be really small images.

I've got another couple of photographers to meet with but I did feel I had a rapport with them and a have a very good recommendation. I'll see what the others have to offer and then speak with them again.

Thanks again, it's really invaluable having your input!

It sounds like you love their work and got on with them very well. They may be a little more than you're willing to spend but i'd def push the boat out if at all possible. You could go with a cheaper photograpehr that includes more for your £1000, but if their work isn't as good as your first guy then you've seriously lost out. All photographers are not the same, better ones can charge more for their services, it's no different than with any other product or service you purchase.

If I meet with a couple who really love my work but just can't quite stretch to my prices then I will offer a compromise on what's included and this does generally mean time or album cuts. If I meet a couple who seem shocked by my high prices when compared to other photographers and ask me for a discount I say no - the difference being they are comparing me on price alone, not quality of work. A bit rambling but what i'm saying is that when asked the right way your photographer will probably accomodate you in some way!

And teri's right, the album prices are incredibly expensive to the photogapher, I don't use Seldex and so haven't got their prices in front of me but your quoted album could be in excess of £400 and the smaller one probably not much less.

Good luck though!

Nicola

x

I agree with the other togs, it's best to compromise on what you get, rather than go for a cheaper photographer. It's no good having big albums etc with rubbish pics in.

I think you're doing the right thing by trying to cut the package down so that you get the photographer you want.

Nicola is right, the Seldex range (as are most albums) are expensive for photographers to buy, so they probably can't knock anything down on that. I think that £1300 is a very good price for what they are offering (if they are a good photographer).

I agree with Nicola that you can't just compare prices, it would be the same as comparing Tesco Value Beans to Heinz, yes they are both beans, but one is a much nicer product!

Perhaps you could even have an album with less pages in? I don't know much about what Seldex offer as I don't do them myself, but hopefully you'll find something to fit your budget.

Great comparison....(although I personally hate beans)

Personally, I am a branston beans snob, LOL.

For that package, and that size album, including the album design, the images in the album,, I have to say, at 1300, they aren't making much profit to begin with. Not when you add in the time costs involved, time spent editing the images for the album, time spent on the wedding day phtographing the event, and other incidentals that each wedding costs the photographer. I would be surprised if they can move much on that price and that album.

Nic hit it on the nail tho, you love the photographer, and you seem to trust that they will take great photos. In the long run, years from now, how much is it worth to have great photos from this great day? I don't know the person you are considering, my interest is in making sure everyone out there has great photos from the day, I hate hearing stories that people felt they didn't get great photos. It really makes me sad.

All the best,

Teri

This is a lovely way of putting this Teri! I bet all the above togs have heard MANY MANY stories from heartbroken brides about this - I know I have! and i've actually seen the albums to prove this!

Nicola

Ok just for Peter: It would be the same as comparing Tesco Value 'scratches your bottom to pieces' toilet paper and Andrex 'Soft as a feather' qulted toilet paper ?

I have heard and seen some real doozies. Definately, lol. Makes me cringe to think about some of them. EEk!