This post is for my maybe brides… those of you who are doing the shopping circuit. I want to give you something to think about. I know full well that it is expensive to put a wedding together… all of the fine details and the talent involved really add up. They always have but today’s economy is putting all of us to the test in a way we have not seen in a long time.

I have several brides whose plans are shifting this year…they start with a certain vision in mind and as the wedding day draws near they find themselves cutting a few things back a little. Maybe the guest list, maybe the string of limos, maybe one less appetizer… but when the day comes, they still have this beautiful celebration with their special people…love, laughter, and great memories.

Now I know this is suspect, coming from me, but I think the photography ranks right up there as one of the most important pieces of the budget. Yes, lots of people will take random pictures at your wedding but the professionals will give you a collection of images powerful enough to bring that day back to you again and again. Isn’t that important? The pros will also take you through the whole process…start to finish so that your story is complete. There is a technical expertise, certainly, but the emotional expertise is the hidden talent. We know where we need to be and what we are looking for and that makes all the difference.

My fees follow in excruciating detail… please let me know if I can answer anything in particular. I have a nice get-it-done package and an options menu so you should be able to put together the pieces that are important to you. In most cases it takes about 6 or 7 hours to cover a wedding gracefully…keeping in mind that the photographers should be there from about the getting dressed time to maybe a little more than halfway through the party…as long as there is still a story to tell. There will be a point where it gets redundant so you shouldn’t have to pay someone to stay until the last person leaves.In any case, the most important thing is to have great pictures taken… a lot of the fluff can be had at a later date if it’s not in the budget for now. I’m not inexpensive but you don’t have to do it all at once.

I should explain the Thank You note prints… people always ask about that. They are small custom prints to be used as enclosures in your thank you cards… they will be 3.5 X 5 with a black film border …. just something your friends can put on the refrigerator or in a small frame….maybe tacked to the cubicle wall at work.

If you have a small, off season wedding in mind there is some flex in this… the Oregon high season runs from mid May to about November. Let me know if you are planning a Friday or a Sunday in the shoulder seasons. I may not be able to change out product as much but time is bendy.

The retainer is $500… if you think you might want to do this I’d recommend a sit-down to see if we connect across the table. I honestly believe that these relationships are  based on three points… style, price and personality… if we are a go on all of those things, great! If not, it would be best to find out sooner than later, yes?

Weddings 2010

◆Starter kit: $2400.00

6 hours

2 photographers

400+ images delivered as 4×6 prints in sturdy black binders

75 thank-you note prints

wedding website displayed online for 6 months

☞ optional

Additional hourly rate……………………………………………………$150

Engagement session (includes a 10×15 print)……………………………$250

3 sets of high-res files on dvd………………………………………………$600

36 custom prints in a flush mount 8×8 library-bound leather album….$1200

Upgrade to custom Thank you notecards w/envelopes…….50 for $62.50 or 100 for $125

◆ Custom wedding albums

tailored to suit you…finished as a flush mount 8×12 library bound leather album:

60 images – $1500

90 images – $1800

120 images – $2100

150 images – $2400

(Album pricing subject to change due to printing and binding costs)

Three sets of high-res files included with any album over $1800

Reprints –  first run 4×6 proofs – $7

Custom Prints:

4×6 – $12

5×7 – $25

8×10/8×12 – $30

10×15 – $40

11×14 – $55

☞ Expenses additional for travel outside of the Metro area….as quoted.

☞ Visa & Master Card welcome