Life in San Francisco is expensive, and hiring a San Francisco wedding photographer is no exception. The city is full of qualified and well-trained photographers, but many charge rates ranging from $2000 for a budget package to deluxe $7000 or $8000 deals.
To learn how you can find a quality wedding photographer in the Bay area for less, keep reading. With the following three tips, you're guaranteed to save money.
Play the Price-Match Game
When requesting quotes from multiple wedding photographers, don't be afraid to ask a favorite to match a competitor's price. Most photographers are willing to negotiate, especially if it means they may lose a valuable booking. Obviously, the provided packages should be comparable before you request a price match.
The best way to request a price match is to respond to a photography quote with examples of prices from other local photographers. Explain that you're on a budget but would love to work with your particular photographer. You'll find that many are willing to do a little negotiation.
Book Last Minute
Yes, booking your wedding photographer last minute means you might not get your first choice, but in a city bursting with creative talent, there are lots of options. You'll find that as your wedding day approaches, prices will drop dramatically, especially during the non-peak season.
Booking last minute also gives you room to wiggle and negotiating power. A San Francisco wedding photographer is more likely to drop their price by a few hundred dollars than spend a valuable Saturday bring in no income.
Try Looking Outside the City
You may have to pay for travel time or gas expenses, but you can often still save money by booking a photographer outside the San Francisco Bay Area. Check rates of photographers in Concord or San Jose and you'll see discounts as steep as 50%, meaning that extra $100 to $200 for travel is worth the added savings.
Shop the Bridal Expos
A bridal show or exhibition is a great way to meet lots of wedding photographers in one, easy location. You'll also find most providers offering unique specials or discounts as a way of luring prospective brides to their booths or tables. Many also provide discounts for booking at the actual Bridal Fair.
Try the San Francisco Bridal Show or the Bay Area Bridal Expo, both of which are big wedding shows with numerous vendors. Take the opportunity to meet and greet photographers, interview them and get a feel for their personality and style.
You can find an affordable San Francisco wedding photographer, but you just have to be willing to negotiate, take the risk of last minute booking or invest the time into hitting the pavement at a bridal show.
About
The Author...
For great information on wedding preparation tips, see weddingpreptips.com, a popular site providing helpful pre-wedding insights, such as finding a San Francisco wedding photographer, Sandals honeymoons, and many more!
Read More From Trevor Price
|
