STOP YOUR SEARCH NOW, HIRE RAYMOND. (I hired him for both photo / video)
But if you'd like a little more background than that...I can elaborate on my strong opinion.
Like many other brides I was overwhelmed at the thought of picking from what seemed like thousands and thousands of vendors; and after going through recommendations from friends, bridal fairs, and yelp---I STILL didn't know who to pick. Then by some serendipitous/fortuitous Instagram searching, I stumbled upon Raymond. I liked what I saw, I liked how he captured moments, I liked how he edited. So I sent him an email, and he responded PROMPTLY.
BOOKING: Raymond's pricing is more than fair for the work he puts out there--but is also comparable to many other photographers. However, he is not nit-picky when it comes to, the number of photos you receive, or charging more for the number of shooters he brings or calculating a per mile fee for the distance to your venue. He is so personable--and makes the booking feel less transnational and more personal! Wedding planning is stressful enough so I was ecstatic to work with Raymond, and booked sight unseen!
BEFORE WEDDING: I only booked Raymond for photo originally (more than a year in advance), and a few months after I booked he told me I had won a complimentary engagement session! (I originally had not booked this due to budget constraints). Our engagement session was our first time meeting Raymond in person--and he had 2 other shooters with him! I thought this was above and beyond for a complimentary session. My husband and I are the most awkward people ever, but Raymond and his team made us feel comfortable and made the whole thing a lot less weird. After seeing our pictures from the engagement session we KNEW we made the right choice, even our awkward selves could look like MODELS. Raymond has the right eye to make any background / any awkward subject come out amazing looking. So after that session, my love of Raymond grew and I booked him for videography for the wedding day as well!
Raymond stayed in contact with us prior to the wedding---hes a professional and understands the different considerations we would need to have for the wedding day. We were very chill--and honestly did not consider many things--but he brought them to our attention (I swear he's part wedding planner!) We knocked out the timing of his arrival, and different shots he was going to take---of all my vendors i felt most at ease that Raymond and his team were going to get things done.
WEDDING DAY: Raymond and his team arrived in full force right on time, documenting all the before wedding photos, capturing all the little details I would definitely overlook if he didnt capture them. The best part of his presence is that he doesn't feel like a burden---with all the people walk in and out of my room on the wedding day it was so stressful, but Raymond is stealthy and calming! He made sure his team had my husband taken care of--I wasn't in contact with my husband--but Raymond kept him and his groomsmen all on track. He knew all the right shots for myself and our bridal party--we're all awkward/chill so we hadn't thought of poses ourselves; Raymond handled that.
At the wedding, Raymond again captured all the little details, flying a drone over the top of our ceremony site, had shooters catching all angles, and kept me at ease that our big day was being captured properly.
PRODUCT: The very next day Raymond gave me some previews of some pictures, which were AMAZING. A few weeks later I received the fully edited photos, wedding feature video (5 min), and full video coverage (1.5 hrs).
The photos were exactly what I wanted, all the little details, all the emotions, and every shot was frame/instagram worthy! Raymond's true talent lies in catching emotions--the photos even though just a moment in time will capture and bring back all the feelings around that moment.
The wedding feature video is the envy of all my friends and relatives! His editing skills brought out laughter, fun and tears all in 5 minutes time! It was the best way to show a quick recap of the wedding to coworkers and friends that did not attend. Go to his website and watch a few, and that alone will drive you to book his team!
So here I am, a year after my wedding still singing Raymond's praises. After our wedding, two of my friends have booked him for both photo and video and they are just as happy as I am about him. I think of Raymond as a friend--he was there to capture the most important day of my life and I tell EVERYONE about him. Please do yourself a favor and book him, you will not be disappointed.
LOVE YOU RAYMOND! read more