SAVING MONEY ON A PHOTOGRAPHER…

Saving money on a photographer can be achieved through several strategies without compromising the quality of the service or the final results. Here are some tips:

Research and Compare Prices:

Look for photographers in your area and compare their prices. Many photographers offer packages at different price points, so finding one that fits your budget is possible. This doesn’t mean ghosting, you can let a photographer know you got a price that was within your budget.

Ask for Referrals:

Seek recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have recently hired a photographer. They may be able to suggest someone within your budget.

Consider New or Upcoming Photographers:

Emerging photographers often offer lower rates to build their portfolios and gain experience. While they may not have as much experience as established professionals, they can still produce excellent work. There’s definitely risks that come with this, you can read more about this in my blog “10 beige flags that are actually red”

Negotiate:

Don't be afraid to negotiate with the photographer. Ask if they can customize a package to better suit your budget or if there are any discounts available.

Things I wouldn’t ask for “ HST off” - we have to pay taxes so its not going to save you money here. Inquiring for the second to start before the primary photographer will also not save you any money, don’t Promise Exposure! Here is how you can ask a vendor for a discount

Limit the Coverage Time:

Instead of hiring a photographer for the entire day, consider hiring them for a shorter duration, such as only during the ceremony or for a few hours during the event.

Opt for Digital Copies Only:

Skip purchasing prints or albums from the photographer and opt for digital copies of the photos instead. You can always print them yourself at a later time, potentially saving money.

Choose Off-Peak Dates or Times:

Photographers may offer lower rates for events held during weekdays or off-peak seasons when they have fewer bookings.

Photobooth:

Instead of hiring a photographer for the entire event, set up a DIY photo booth with a camera on a tripod and props for guests to take their own photos. Guest do need help to use these at events, so setting up a friend to help out is key. Photobooths: The average cost can vary as wildly as the poses your friends strike inside them. However, typically you're looking at a range of around $300 to $1000 for a standard rental. Factors like location, duration, features, and whether it dispenses unicorn-shaped confetti might jiggle that price tag a bit.

Disposable film cameras:

The average disposable film camera at Walmart is $50 for two fuji film cams, if you have two per table. that could be a few hundred. Sending the film to be developed and scanned is additional, $20 per roll for developing and printing services. However, this cost can fluctuate based on the size of the prints, additional services like scanning. Total for this could be 10 tables X 50$ for two cameras (500) + 40$ per rolls (400) = $900. It might be in the budget to keep your photographer around, for example I only charge $400/hour ( outside of my 8 hour package). Here is my investment page

Be Clear About Your Budget:

Communicate openly with the photographer about your budget constraints. They may be willing to work with you to find a solution that meets your needs.