Please recommend a family photographer (Wokingham)

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My wife and I just had a photoshoot with our 6 month old son at Venture Twyford. They produced some great photos but we almost fell off our chair when they presented us with the price list. I was hoping you guys could recommend a photographer in the south of England (Wokingham) that can produce similar images. Ideally we'd like to be able to buy the digital images. I would expect to pay c.£300 or am I way off?

Many thanks

Nick
 
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I think you'll find someone to work and supply for that price.But thats true of any price you name. I'd be expecting to pay more then that to cover sitting and digital files from a good photographer. In your part of the world I suspect ventures prices aren't far off what you'll pay most places. But I don't like the way they mug you with their price list after the session. Most people will be upfront about prices. Why digital files though. If you are spending a good sum isn't it better to have a really well finished printed product or two instead?
 
Hi, I bought some framed prints from Venture and it cost me £2,000 in 2007. I didn't like the way they operated either but at the time I had the money, so I went ahead. I think for a good photographer for an afternoon and some prints you would expect to pay circa £500-600, however, it is a strange economic time so who really knows what's available?
 
At the risk of obvioius self promotion feel free to contact me if you like. Everything is on my website and blog except digital files on disc. I have started to trial offer this at £600 for 10 high resolution images and then £50 for any additional images. The £150 sitting fee includes a 12 x 8 Artbox or Canvas.
 
Why did you do the shoot and not check prices first?
 
boyfalldown said:
I think you'll find someone to work and supply for that price.But thats true of any price you name. I'd be expecting to pay more then that to cover sitting and digital files from a good photographer. In your part of the world I suspect ventures prices aren't far off what you'll pay most places. But I don't like the way they mug you with their price list after the session. Most people will be upfront about prices. Why digital files though. If you are spending a good sum isn't it better to have a really well finished printed product or two instead?
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This, you will probably find people from £100 up to £1500, key thing is do you like the images they have previously done. Typically a mobile tog will be cheaper than a studio as lower costs to cover.

Probably disagree with the digital file thing though. Personally would only go for that, I have a mix of frames in the house and tbh the cheap ones look not much different to the more expensive ones.
 
Nick, the others are absolutely correct about pricing, I think it will be very difficult for you to find a quality photographer who can operate and sell at the sum you suggest. However photographers who are starting out can be very cheap particularly if they're building their portfolio, so you may be able to find that kind of arrangement. But I think you would need to lower your expectations accordingly. And as has been mentioned, not every photographer will sell digital files.

I agree with Simon in that pricing does need to be clear before the session. Did they give you different prices before the shoot, which made things sound more affordable than they actually were? Unfortunately Venture have become known (at least in the past) for high prices and a very hard sell. This is mostly because the studios are franchises and the franchisees are under considerable pressure by the parent company to meet sales targets.
 
Lindsay D said:
Nick, the others are absolutely correct about pricing, I think it will be very difficult for you to find a quality photographer who can operate and sell at the sum you suggest. However photographers who are starting out can be very cheap particularly if they're building their portfolio, so you may be able to find that kind of arrangement. But I think you would need to lower your expectations accordingly. And as has been mentioned, not every photographer will sell digital files.

I agree with Simon in that pricing does need to be clear before the session. Did they give you different prices before the shoot, which made things sound more affordable than they actually were? Unfortunately Venture have become known (at least in the past) for high prices and a very hard sell. This is mostly because the studios are franchises and the franchisees are under considerable pressure by the parent company to meet sales targets eat.
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Sorry that post above didn't come out how I intended.

"This is mostly because the studios are franchises and the franchisees are under considerable pressure by the parent company to meet sales targets." eat.
 
Indeed Brian, that's what I meant. They have targets which are arguably unreasonable, because of their costs and obligations, and the studios have to meet these targets before they can even survive. This is why many Venture franchises are short lived, and why the sales people are placed under so much pressure. I am not condoning any of that, I'm just saying that's how Venture operate and this can result in understandably aggrieved customers and struggling studios.
 
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