Last week I told you all about how my Offbeat Mama editor, Stephanie, is a wedding photographer in Alabama. This week, I'm going to talk to you about how the two editors in the Offbeat Bride LA Office do double-duty as wedding photographers in California.
So, Megan (Offbeat Bride's managing editor) started the aptly named Megan Finley Photography last year, and then hired Coco (Offbeat Bride's current intern) as her second shooter. This means that when you book MFP to shoot your wedding you get TWO offbeat editors showing up on your wedding day. (Hell, for all you know I might crash the wedding and start photo bombing.)
When I say Megan and Coco are “affordable,” what I actually mean is “I've had conversations with Megan about how she needs to increase her rates because she's selling herself short.” Her rates are designed with Offbeat Bride budgets in mind, and seriously: if you're in California and you're not taking advantage (and I DO think it's quite literally taking advantage, but that's between Megan and her therapist) of MFP's pricing, you're basically crazy.
Megan and Coco are digital photography nerds, and so they make sure you get all the digital negatives of edited, high resolution photos — as many as are fit to print, no limit to the number of photos, and no extras to drive up the prices. Basically, they take the pictures and then you own 'em. The end. No weird finagling over prints or prices.
Learn the secret of why wedding photographers love offbeat brides -- and what to NEVER say when negotiating prices with a photog.
Oh, and did I mention that these two ladies travel all over California? Half the time I'm all, “Dudes, could someone do this thing for the website?” and I get dueling iPhone responses that are like, “Sorry we're currently driving across the state to shoot a purple-dressed wedding in San Francisco.” And I'm all, “Damn you OBBs for hiring my editors to shoot your weddings!” But then I forgive y'all cuz, you know, it's cool.
Megan and Coco don't have any set poses. As Megan says, “We'd rather capture your actual behaviors and the moment then put you into pre-determined wedding positions… like freaking robots.”
And of course, if they're working for me … you know they're freaks. As Megan says, “Don't hire us if you don't want your photographers dancing at your wedding, because we WILL dance and we WILL have fun.”
Oh and PS: as if I wasn't already worried about Megan undervaluing herself she offers $100 off her already ridonkulous prices to Offbeat Bride Tribe members who send her a link to their profile. So go book that shit up, girls!
Oh how I love these two girls! LOVE them I say!! They are awesome photographers and just plain awesome people! They did my wedding in May, and my friends in June and had a blast with them both times! They did such a fantastic job my photos, I couldn’t be happier <3
And we had a blast hanging out with you both times! You and Eddie rock!
We totally love you guys too!!!!
I soooo can’t wait for Megan and Coco to come to DC to shoot my wedding in January. 🙂 And Ariel, you crashing my wedding would just be the cherry on top! 🙂
Im pretty sure I speak for both Megan and I when I say, OMG!!! We are so excited to go to DC for your wedding!!!
Holy crap. With those kinds of prices I suddenly feel the need to get married RIGHT NOW. I have a family full of photographers who are banned from shooting my wedding because I want photos OF them!
Megan is shooting my wedding in less than 2 weeks! Our engagement pictures were great, I can’t wait to go full wedding.
FULL WEDDING COUNTDOWN!!! We’re excited.
it so makes me sad that i live in washington
We are always open to travel!
The absolute best vendor decision I made was to hire Megan. Not only did she take fabulous pictures, but she was just a wonderful person to have around! And under extreme car stress and chaos, she remained delightful and managed to get photos of *everything* going on – of which there was a LOT! My friends and I adore her and are still having conversations about how to convince her to move to the bay area. Best wedding photography experience imaginable.
Oh. I thought you were joking. And then I looked at her rates. MEGANNNNN. Raise them. What? Whatwhatwhat? Too low! There. That’s two indie wedding bloggers ganging up on you. Because girlfriend, really.
Everyone else, um, BOOK HER NOW?
HA! Meg, I love you. Yes yes, the prices will go up (apparently soon before I get my ass virtually kicked all over the internets) very soon. I have been convinced from not only you and Ariel but OTHER WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS as well! I guess I’m better than I thought???? 😉
Seriously.
I booked a student for half that. In rural upstate NY. For 6 hours. No second shooter. Why did I book a student? Because my next-best quote was also one-shooter for 3x the cost. If you’re paying attention, that’s higher than you. Again, this is in rural Upstate NY, where things are a LOT cheaper than SoCal.
I wish I had friends in SoCal to refer to you!
(I don’t regret booking her, by the way, because she really was fantastic – the pics are great!)
Seriously, folks – get her while she’s hot and cheap! (Oh…wow…that might not have sounded right.)
I had the privilege of working that glorious Muppet Wedding with the Megan/Coco team and was SO impressed with how well they fit in with the zany fun of that day. And trust me, it was zany, and it was FUN – and it all shows oh-so-well in the photos they shot!
I triple-very-much recommend!
No, Laura that sounded AMAZING, in fact, I think it’s my new slogan — Megan Finley Photography “we’re hot and cheap” 😉
Hot and cheap indeed! Where to begin…Megan and Coco (and Aaron, as we were lucky enough to have him shooting too, though he isn’t a part of the usual “package” deal…which, I don’t know if anyone has mentioned, is INSANELY CHEAP…heh) were a dream to work with. We’re still poring over the hundreds (and I do mean hundreds) of amazing photos they took of our Muppetized wedding. Hotness/cheapness aside, I would have to say that what sets this team apart from the rest is their unbridled enthusiasm, coupled with their ninja-like ability to back off a bit and capture all the important stuff without forcing you to pose and constantly shoving a camera in your face.
The proof is in the pudding, we have amazing pictures, and we frequently discuss how this was our best vendor decision, along with Laura (Hi Laura!) and In N Out. I can’t think of a higher compliment than comparing Megan and Coco to two hot, cheap double doubles. 😉
Megan and Coco shot my wedding in June and it was a BLAST. I have gotten some of my photos back and they are WONDERFUL and capture my man me, and my party beautifully.
Seriously had so much fun! You guys are the best. I really think if we all lived in the same city the three of us would be best friends!
Wow, I’m OVERWHELMED with all the love. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it for the eleventieth time — I HAVE THE BEST CLIENTS EVAR! The best thing is to be able to love BOTH of my jobs so damn much and have both of my jobs intertwine so damn much. OBBS 4EVA.
Hmmm…. Since I live in Los Angeles, but Life Partner and I AREN’T getting weddinged anytime soon, I feel like we should get some couple portraits taken just for fun!! Might as well take advantage of the ladies while they are “hot and cheap!”
DO IT!!!! 😉
They travels???? …. *happily considers* Hmmm… I may have to talk to the FH about booking you ladies! <3
Megan is the cat’s pajamas…no really. Freaking love her and her amazingness.
I would have loved to have AMS photo bomb my wedding. I still count myself lucky to have had even just one Offbeat editor take photos at my wedding. Thanks again Megan!
*cough cough* Come to Canada! 😉
Oh dude, we will go ANYWHERE as long as ya cover the travel expenses. 😉
How does one go about becoming an Offbeat Bride member?
Join the Offbeat Bride Tribe!
I am so glad you finally featured MFP on the blog! My fiance & I were looking at a ka-billion photographers and when I became obsessed *ahem* started checking out OBB I said “Hey, this chic’s pictures are freaking awesome! Honey, come here & check this out.” He said, “Wow, those are really good. Can we afford it?”
“Yes!”
“I hate dealing with vendors.”
“This one has pink hair.”
“Done. Book her.”
I sent an e-mail, signed a contract, had to change some deatials, freaked out, sent another e-mail with said freakout concerns, and got a very personable response that calmed me down. Is there such thing as a no hassle vendor, yes… yes there is :)Now I can’t wait until our wedding so we can actually get to shooting!
PS Ariel, you can totally crash my wedding 🙂
incredible photos!!
as a MOFG (mother of the future groom) I am genuinely admiring the work (and secretly wishing my son and his B2B will choose wicked-cool vendors like Megan Finley Photography!)
“We’d rather capture your actual behaviors and the moment then put you into pre-determined wedding positions… like freaking robots.”
Best attitude a wedding photographer can have!
That philosophy was developed after being treated like that by my own wedding photographer. NEVER AGAIN!!!!
I would love to get info on how I can book Megan and Coco for my upcoming wedding. No contact info is available on their website.
Contact info: http://www.meganfinley.com/Site/Contact.html