Jeff Hawkins?

[Majekmoon14]

Anyone have good experiences with Jeff Hawkins? I just booked him because I've seen his work and loved it but just wondering what he's like to work with. Also, I was a little reluctant about the $1,000 up front non-refundable retainer fee which I had to ensure before I could even see the contract. Did anyone else freak out about that? Thanks!!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Well I didn't have him but was very tempted - I know 2 past brides that did have him and were happy with his work, which looked fabulous. Personally I wasn't a fan of the non-refundable deposit but he is so popular and acclaimed that I guess he can make this request.

 

[jlovesee]

My husband and I used Jeff Hawkins three and half years ago for our wedding, and all I will say is that if you can afford it, go for it.

My husband is a professional photographer for our magazine, so photography was his major focus on where he wanted to spend money, flowers where mine

We now have beautiful photos, and all of our photos on CD as they where shot digitally (that was a new thing back then), its really nice to have them set up that way.

Also you have to realize that the retainer fee is while odd in the wedding world not completely unheard of for someone of high professional quality. After all if you book and then bail a week ahead of time he can't reschedule that quickly and he is out for that weekend entirely.

Plus also he shoots and shoots and shoots, there is no time limit and no picture limit like some photographers have. We had him from the morning (ceremony was at 2PM) until the end of our Dessert Party, that's 10-12 hours of work.

So by all means I recommend him

Jennifer

 

[Mary626]

...
Plus also he shoots and shoots and shoots, there is no time limit and no picture limit like some photographers have. We had him from the morning (ceremony was at 2PM) until the end of our Dessert Party, that's 10-12 hours of work.
....

Jennifer

That's interesting, that's kind of what I want in a photographer. Does anyone know how Randy Chapman compares in this sense? I really want someone to take a LOT of pictures. I haven't signed with Randy yet, so I still have time to consider Jeff Hawkins as a possibility. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Mary to be totally honest I love Randy, I really do after all he took some fabulous pictures of us and at a great price but in terms of comparison of price and times (Randy has different packages with different time scales on) Jeff Hawkins was charging almost double the price of the exact same package that we'd get from Randy. I then looked at an associate of Jeff's , Melissa, and if I'm being completey honest I really preferred the look of her work in comparison to Jeff's LOL. But that said the price comparison there was that Jeff Hawkins' Photography would have charged me a little more for Melissa without album in comparison to Randy's with album, Thank you wallet and pictures and 2 parent albums.

At the end of the day - I think you have to go with what you are willing to pay for the standard of photography that appeals to you most.

 

[VowRenewal05Bride]

We had Jeff for our vow renewal this past March and he was beyond amazing! He's work is outstanding, and personality wise, my kids (8 yrs. old and 9 yrs. old) adored him (he got down to their level). Everybody, including our guests, got along with Jeff. We felt he was very laid back, not cocky. In some instances, he plotted things with my kids (a joke, a surprise hug, a kiss, etc.), to snap the moment. Like I said before, the kids had a blast with Jeff. He also had me cracking up during the formal pictures.
Our proofs were on his web site a week after our vow renewal. There were some pictures we wanted switched from the album and he made the changes while we were on the phone discussing it with him. He made sure we were completely satisfied with the end product. Ok, I'm biased ... you can call me a fan!