Posts by Daniel King4

Bradley Wright said:minie, I picked up some envelopes at Allstate, and one of them was only $0.20
It was totally worth it for me, especially since we’re going with the same design for the invitations anyway
so they actually look pretty great.
Just plain white ones—it felt like enough for what I needed
I mean, why overthink the envelopes? It's all going to end up in the trash eventually

I grabbed mine for like 12 cents and they're perfect, just pure white and totally fine...

Look, you guys can come at me all you want, but I’m not out here trying to push some product or whatever... I just know enough about this stuff to have an opinion, so I won't be repeating myself. Honestly, I was just trying to warn people not to get ahead of themselves because I learned the hard way, falling for a bunch of empty promises and getting burned by costs they never even mentioned... anyway, cheers to everyone and sorry if I stepped on any toes, wasn't my intention.

Paul Garcia20 said:I suppose I should just mention that one day, when I finally decide to tie the knot, I’m definitely going to book 😍 Z_Maju to handle the photography (assuming they don't retire before my future husband actually makes up his mind🙄), because honestly, I haven't seen anyone take better photos...
plus, I don't really know anyone else whose profile picture looks quite as pleasant—which matters to me, I guess, since I have no desire for a photographer who seems unfriendly, never smiles, or might just get drunk and forget they even have a job..

So, on another note, I was wondering if anyone who’s had their makeup done by Jelena Marjanović could maybe drop a link to some photos? I’d love to see her work. A friend of mine is getting married soon, and since I’ve stepped up as the organizer🤣, I want to be sure before I give my recommendation..
If I recall correctly, she did my makeup a few times during those promotional events over at Martimex, but she always seemed to apply way too much foundation😢 (though, then again, almost every makeup artist I've ever used has done that, so maybe it's just me and the fact that I naturally look a bit darker than I actually am)

Thanks in advance, I guess😉

Mad respect to the pros out there, but people were coming at me for trying to promote www.fotostudio-ivan.com when it's pretty obvious who's actually running ads here... just look at Maya's shots versus the hundreds of photos from John and make up your own minds... peace

just another drugstore brand making stuff that looks okay until you actually look at it... honestly, who even cares anymore... kaže:
I still don't get how you can be this stubborn, like why won't you just respect what everyone else thinks... when we're all saying we're into Marko, Pero, or Duro, but John just isn't doing it for us, and honestly, there are definitely better guys out there...

I didn't really get what Boldan was trying to say because it honestly made zero sense... though if he actually managed to pull off like a hundred weddings a year or something... 😲So, explain that bit a little more... if I'm not mistaken, that would mean having a wedding every third day or something like that... ☕

Whether you're actually talented or just a total hack... honestly, we all figured that out from your very first post on this thread...
Look, I’m seriously asking you to stop with the insults and the constant put-downs in your posts... just give it a rest...

Look, just think about it for a second... there's more than that, probably like six or eight people in the mix. I can handle way more weddings than that, too. The guy just focused entirely on the wedding side of things... anyway, cheers. No hard feelings, just my two cents...

Henry Ortiz18 said:Honestly, his work looks pretty standard to me—nothing special about those shots from John, if you're really that curious... I honestly can't tell if you owe John something to be promoting him this hard while trashing everyone else, but seriously, take it down a notch... we don't all have to be John's biggest fans.
As for Studio 69, they don't cost $4667 or whatever amount you mentioned, because I actually reached out to them myself. I told them what I wanted and the guy gave me a quote of $2667, and keep in mind, I'm not even friends with him or anything; I just stumbled upon him on Facebook. So, that theory about "friends getting a discount" doesn't really hold water here...

This really isn't the place for bickering, so I'm done with this conversation... sorry if I offended you, I truly didn't mean to...
Best regards!

I don't have anything going on with him, we barely know each other, I'm just looking at things realistically by comparing him to the rest, whereas you're busy tearing him down and trying to boost others even though you know I'm right. Anyone with actual taste would say he's the best in the business, it's just a shame he's not from Indianapolis so people won't give him the credit he deserves. He'd probably have hundreds of clients working all over the US and abroad if he wasn't stuck in this local bubble. Personally, I think you just lack any sense of style, so maybe take a breather... the truth hurts...

Henry Ortiz18 said:I don't know, everyone has their own take, but my personal view? I don't think John is all that much to write home about—at least based on what I've seen. Look, I'm not claiming to be some kind of expert, because I'm certainly not, but his photos just feel uninspired to me... totally ordinary. I really hope I'm not offending anyone here, but that's just how I see it...

Mind sending over a photo that actually catches your eye, or maybe just show me where we can see it
so I can get a sense of your taste. Cheers

rapidfox42 said:I'd probably have to agree with most of that—but hey, tastes differ and everyone’s got different options, so we can't really generalize. I know plenty of people who think Teddy, Krizmanić, and Bot are top-tier. As for John... he's just okay.

Just so there's no misunderstanding—I'm not playing favorites here—but honestly? None of them are really my type.

You're right, everyone wants something different, but you really have to weigh the price against what you're actually getting
not even mentioning how much stuff you get from each guy or whether they're just ripping you off...
You need to see way more of their portfolios before you can judge who's actually good, which is exactly what me and my crew have been doing over the last two years...
I'll stand by the fact that Studio 69 costs $4667 though we give our friends a deal, whereas if you drop 9k on someone like Smith, you basically get nothing but a headache and a lot of regret, and then out of pure disappointment, people start claiming he's great even though they haven't seen any of his actual work...

rapidfox42 said:gentledriver92 thanks! finally getting some first-hand info!

Now, hopefully I can return the favor a little bit.
If you need photos taken in Indianapolis—I’d definitely suggest Leon Productions.
Over in Columbus, you could try Studio 69 or Krizmanić—though I've heard a few complaints about Krizmanić before.

Just my two cents. Indianapolis Leon Productions is around $4667 pretty solid
Des Moines photo Zoom $1500 decent
Columbus studio69 $4667 the best
krizmanići $2333 but they'll pull the old "oh wait, there's one more thing" routine... kind of mediocre, sometimes they try, sometimes they don't...
photo studio John from Ivan around $1667 pretty good stuff overall
Bot $2333 bad video
Rachel 7500 classic bad video
Viki $2000 everything's pretty rough
Cibalia $1667 all the usual clichés
Teddy $1667 everything sucks
Smart $2000 ends up being way too many clichés
Lidija awful
no-name cliché photos, terrible video
Štimac not sure, haven't heard anything good...
I've double-checked most of this and I'm sticking to it, but hey, it's just what me and my colleagues have seen happen...

gentledriver92 said:Maybelline... I was actually thinking about ham... not focus (not sure what their deal is with that either) 🙂 I checked out their online gallery and honestly, I wasn't impressed. It’s just the same old classic stuff. I gave them a call, though—they were super nice and the pricing is actually pretty reasonable. What they offer in a package costs twice as much everywhere else. So, I was just checking if anyone here has worked with them before? I want to know what the actual album and video look like. It’s a totally different story when you see someone's finished work instead of just a few random photos and clips online. Well, whatever, looks like I'll just have to head down there myself. 🙂 Anyway, thanks a ton for the effort. And hey, if you have a photographer you'd recommend, let me know... I've heard some rumors 🙂 (I'm from Indianapolis, so somewhere nearby works too)

They're just used to doing the same old thing, I've seen plenty of their work. It's all classic. A few good shots here and there, but their video style hasn't changed in four years. Cheers

Henry Ortiz18 said:I just took a look at those photos of that much-hyped John from Jackson, and honestly? I wasn't exactly blown away... I mean, wouldn't anyone be able to pull that off with a slightly better camera? But hey, that’s just my two cents—I certainly don't want to start any drama or offend anyone here...
Does anyone actually have experience working with Smart and Rachel over on Facebook?

Either way, it's better quality than both Smart and Rachel, and cheaper too...

Henry Ortiz18 said:Here I am again... and once more, I find myself needing a little insight from any ladies or gentlemen on this forum 🙂 located near the University of California area. Has anyone ever heard of that photo studio, >? Specifically, does anyone know what their workflow is like? I was digging through some old thank-you notes recently and stumbled upon one of their advertisements; I distinctly remember a bride mentioning how thrilled she was with her wedding photos. As it happens, they shot my five-year high school reunion, and the pictures are actually fantastic—the photographer was such a sweetheart, too. So, I suppose I’m just curious: has anyone here actually worked with them? Thanks!
Grateful for any info you can share 🙂

I wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole, honestly. He spent ten years working under the table and stealing business from people actually paying their taxes, and when the feds finally came knocking, he just registered as a videographer because technically he isn't licensed for photography... zero style, too, unless you count him hijacking shots from Studio 69 once a year and passing them off as his own work to everyone else. Just my two cents, though... worked in the industry for two years myself...

casualbison8 said:Look, I’ve been following this forum for a very long time, but I rarely post because I never want it to seem like I'm just self-promoting. But honestly, I can't stay quiet right now... WHAT DO YOU MEAN $50,000?!?!? Someone who owns $50,000 worth of photography gear simply cannot afford to do photo and video services for $1.25. They just can't! Period.
I work in this industry, which is why I’m speaking up, and I stand firmly behind everything I'm saying. My overhead is massive once you factor in materials and staff, not even touching on taxes and equipment depreciation. Besides, it's not like the newlyweds dictated a price of $1.25; they set their own rates themselves. It's hardly fair to complain that they aren't providing enough value for the price the clients agreed to pay. They chose the rate... And let's not forget, you get what you pay for. A girl—who actually booked this specific studio—even mentioned that herself. I respect that some people don't care about high-end photos and want to save money, but expecting premium or even just very good service for those prices is pure science fiction! That's all there is to it....

Go ahead and do a little research on what it costs to buy a high-end setup ranging from $40k to $90k, and that's not even touching the other expenses

Sarah Taylor4 said:Man, you really need to pick a lane here, and honestly, it would be a huge favor to everyone if you learned how to use a comma, because reading your rambling is a struggle.
So, what, you’re suddenly an expert on the industry now? Is that why you're lecturing us about "not talking about things we don't know"?

I spent two years working in that field. You aren't really in a position to lecture me, and trust me, I'm not looking to correct you either...

Jason Howard5 said:I honestly don't get why you're even bothering to argue with people, trying to convince them that "certain" photographers are "PROFESSIONAL AND TOP-TIER" when those people had the exact opposite experience with them... It's their opinion and they have every right to say it...

I think we've had enough "PROFESSIONAL AND TOP-TIER" advertising for one day, and I'm pretty sure those "top-tier" photographers don't want this kind of publicity at any price.

Look, honey, if you could actually read, you'd see my opinion is right there above...
Plus, I spent two years working in this industry, so I actually know how things work on the inside...

Nicole Cox said:Savannah’s Zoom Photo did a pretty amateur job back when my godmother got married three years ago. They finally delivered the printed photos intended for the thank-you cards, but half of them were totally distorted—specifically, the groom's face looked warped because they messed up the editing. When they brought those into the reception hall, the bride and groom sent them right back to be redone. The bride actually insisted that half the thank-you cards shouldn't be charged for since the work was subpar and everything was running behind schedule. We ended up assembling the thank-you favors right in front of the guests because they showed up so late, which caused us to delay giving out the gifts. Apparently, the photographers took issue with not being paid for those specific cards, claiming it was the bride's fault initially, and in the end, the couple didn't get a single photo—not even a digital copy on a DVD. Just a completely empty album.

Look, mistakes happen; I get that. But there has to be room for compromise and a little bit of good faith. Based on that terrible experience through second-hand info, I wouldn't dream of working with Savannah’s Zoom Photo. Maybe they’ve turned things around since then; who knows? But if they’re still operating this way, I’m certain they’re just driving business away.

I think the photography service works great and is super professional, so maybe look at what you're paying musicians... you give them 1500 bucks and they play for five hours and head home, while photographers have five more days of work and gear worth at least 50k... people really shouldn't talk about stuff they don't understand, especially when you see how much worse people work in Washington, D.C. while charging $3333 basic rates for standard shots. If I were the photographer, I wouldn't give you anything for $1200 pennies, because honestly, it's not easy money and you're stuck with the consequences for life... peace

Henry Ortiz18 said:I just took a look at those photos of that much-hyped John from Jackson, and honestly? I wasn't exactly blown away... I mean, wouldn't anyone be able to pull that off with a slightly better camera? But hey, that’s just my two cents—I certainly don't want to start any drama or offend anyone here...
Does anyone actually have experience working with Smart and Rachel over on Facebook?

I wasn't trying to hype him up or anything, it’s just that his work is solid and he's easily the best guy around here, so just look at the rest of his portfolio... maybe I went a little overboard with the praise, but that's how I feel... he's number one in this whole area for me, besides Studio 69, and even they could pull off the same stuff if someone was willing to pay the price... anyway...

Robin Cruz16 said:Hey, Henry Ortiz18, I’ve got nothing but praise for Smart! My sister used them and gave them a perfect five-star rating. On the flip side, though? I’ve heard a ton of negative feedback regarding Rachel’s work.

I’ve heard Rachel can pull off something decent once in a while, but don't hold your breath... and as for Smart, all I ever hear is how they try to nickel and dime you at the end. A friend of mine visiting from Germany used them this past August and was totally let down—just boring, soulless video and photos, yet they still charged her something like $600... whatever the conversion is... just a total rip-off. Peace.

Justin Martinez3 said:Wait, what "nonsense" am I talking? 🤷

I don't agree with this at all!
I've checked his website and I've seen their work too, which is exactly why I'm saying there are better photographers out there, purely based on personal taste! 😉

And as for his prices—hey, you get what you pay for. If someone wants to hire him, that's their business.🙂

If you actually checked the site, you'd see he has style, and while others have it too, the Krizmanić crowd just lacks it in general—people have already figured that out, which is why they hire outside photographers and videographers instead... though I guess it wouldn't surprise me if you were his sister or something. I'm not hating on them, but from everything I've looked at—and I've seen plenty—not one single shot comes close to the quality of someone like Danijel Soldo from Brod, seriously, he's way better than John, just go look at his portfolio, I think it's under the DEanijel Art Studio or something similar... I won't say anything else because people will start thinking I'm running an ad for him. No hard feelings, just my two cents...

I’ve been following a lot of their work, so don't talk down to me just because I'm still figuring this whole scene out...
What do you mean, granitemoose7? I never said he was the absolute best, but I really dig his style—he’s constantly shooting all over Osijek, Washington, D.C., and California. Just check out his page and those poses, then look at theirs and see the difference for yourself. Sorry if I hit a nerve, I didn't mean anything by it... Everyone in the Indianapolis area tries to mimic him, but they just can't quite pull it off.
I just meant that for what he charges, it's a total steal. No hard feelings intended, and I'm not trying to plug anyone, I'm just being real about how things look...

James Lopez8 said:Honestly, isn't the whole point of this forum to share suggestions, offer help, give advice, and spread the word about what's available in the Midwest?
I'm not quite sure why there's an immediate assumption that women here are just advertising their friends, relatives, or whoever else.
In my post, I simply mentioned a few photographers I happened to come across by pure chance; I don't know them personally, so I certainly have no motive to push them or try to make them money. I suppose any sensible person would visit several different photographers in person anyway to see what they offer and what their rates are... what we do here can only expand our options and perhaps introduce us to talented people and deals we didn't even know existed.
For instance, I mentioned Oliver, who is actually in high demand in Indianapolis (I made a mistake regarding his pricing—it's not $9,000, but closer to $6,000 and some change). I also mentioned Mijić, who is more of an amateur—he doesn't have a full photo studio and does this mostly as a hobby—but I can honestly say his photos are excellent, and I'd recommend him to anyone. And, purely by coincidence, I stumbled upon his work while browsing through Facebook.
Of course, I would also recommend Art Studio and Leon P., though I realize they might not be within everyone's budget.
Maja, comments like "these guys are better for the same price" don't really add much—you could have just said you recommend those specific photographers from the Indianapolis area, and we'll take it from there and decide for ourselves if they are better or worse.
I felt I had to respond because Maja's comment was a bit distracting. No offense intended! 🙂

You guys totally misread me, I just don't want people rushing into something and then crying later about overpaying or getting nothing like they were promised, so just look for yourselves and decide... The guy is alright, he might charge you less than more, but you have to stick to the agreement or he won't work, especially if he doesn't get at least half an hour to shoot the wedding... Cheers, I'm not trying to run an ad for anyone, but my cousin was recommended the Krizmanić musicians and the venue owner Renić because apparently one of them is pushing $167 them just to get business without actually knowing how to do the job. They don't know how to shoot and provide barely any photos. The video is just mediocre. They just try to stay visible at weddings by hanging around, but once you see the actual results, you realize it's all just smoke and mirrors...