Excerpts from the South Florida chat.

I saw you booked with 21st Century Photography. Was just wondering which package did you choose? I assume you went to his studio to look at pictures and albums. Are the photos on his website accurate of the work he shows you in the office? Any info is greatly appreciated)

From: Kris517

I interviewed about 12 photographers before I chose 21st. I researched him w/ BBB (no problems) and went to his office. First let me say, when I walked in an office he shares with a video guy I was not impressed bec. it was really small...but then I saw his work...gorgeous. I saw proof albums of two recent weddings and he offers about average 900 proofs, color & b/w. I actually arrived at the office the same time as a Federal Express guy was delivering a bride's two completed albums and was there when Roger opened the box. The albums were incredible and I wanted to cry even though I did not even know those people LOL. I was also impressed that Roger gave me a list of weddings he had done over a few years time and told me to pick any for a reference (I was impressed he did not tell me who to call: I called two brides, very good references.) I chose his biggest package for $2999 bec. of the two photographers and unlimited time. Roger can be a little passionate about his work so you notice his is really into it (sometimes a little intense but in a funny way). When I signed my contract, if I did not like the way something was worded (as I say I was very picky), he changed it. I also like his payment policy. 1/3 down, 1/3 at wedding and 1/3 on completion. Very fair. Some photographers wanted all up from before the wedding! I went over all his extra developing prices and they were very competitive if not cheaper as he has no overhead. He is also giving me my negs for free after two years (seemed fair). I am pleased with my choice. Good luck and tell him Krista says hi if you do interview him. Let me know if you need anything!

Thanks so much for the long post and the recomendation for Roger Lee...he s great. He called me up here in Jacksonville and yes, he has that charasmatic wedding photographer. . personality, but I think he's great:) now it's just a matter of me trying to get down to South Florida to see his work in person and come up with a pacakge plan with prices that fit my budget.

let me tell you that Roger Lee at 21st Century Photography in Boca is for sure worth your investigation! Roger Topalian and his assistants did a fabulous job at our wedding last June in Delray Beach at the Marriott! I never hardly spoke to him during our event and he came up with amazing photos he knew I wanted but never discussed after our initial meeting! He and his crew were so professional!!! They get a 100% thumbs up from us!!

I checked out so many photographers and I hired 21st Century Photography but they are in Boca that matters to you. Roger’s prices are pretty Competitive for what you get (negs free after 2 years, the proofs etc). For $3000 I am getting two photographers for unlimited time. I thought that was pretty good for unlimited. This thing is going to take up most of that day & night. When i met with some photographers, they were totally penny pinching minutes, I mean by the minute! I couldnot believe it. I guess I wanted peace of mind that if things are running late, I won't be freaking out about the time. :) l will be too busy freaking out about other stuff LOL

Okay, I also chose Roger Lee, as soon as I met him and so his photos, I was sold!! His albums look incredible, and when I saw the amount of photos taken I was impressed! You will find Krista's pics on his sight which came out great! Good luck! Natalie 2.28.04

There isn't too much information on them on the boards and I was wondering if anyone had met with them. I'd like to know if they are within my price range. Thanks in advance.

21 st century photographer's largest package is about $2995.00 & that includes an engagement sitting which you can substitute for something else if you don't need it! I am using them June next year and they are wonderful & extremely reasonable!

I also hired Roger and he is so great to work with. I did a lot of research here and I am happy with my choice. I think Roger is very fair as we went over a11 the Pricing including prices for extra copies of pics. I also got the biggest all day $2995 package but I believe he has packages under $1500. His work is beautiful and he really seems to be able to capture emotion. Tell him Krista said hi! He knows I am his biggest fan LOL.

From: Kris517

I can tell you off the top of my head some photographers I Looked at: Sherry Cowan (would not come to Boca), Wendy Brant, Tony Duca, Munoz, Zeke, J. Miguel (loved him but so Expensive), Tiffany, Nina Sutherland, Gary Fox just to name a Few. I decided on 21st Century for the following reasons:
- Loved the photojournalism, Roger & his partner seem to know what to capture
- saw proofs & albums of another recent bride, I almost cried and I didn't know them
- tons of proofs with no name across them
- unlimited time for the day; some photographers I met with were penny pinching minutes (ie they were even going down to the minute like their 4 hour pacakge was 4 hours not 4 hours 10 minutes)
- Two photographers; so I had one pre ceremony getting ready and so does my Fl
- again, LOVED the black and whites
- best price for all around what I am getting and I am getting the negs free after two years
- I like how Roger did not tell me who to call for references. He showed me his past client list and told me to call whomever I wanted.
- lastly, Roger was very accomodating with his contract. I was very picky and he made sure to add / subtract any wording etc that I did not like (which was not much).
Roger can be a little intese in a funny way but I think it is because he really does want the best shots. I do not want my wedding to be all posed. I was looking for someone who is really creative with photojournalism. Sorry so long, but it is some of the reasons after lokking so long, I picked who I did (and boy was it tough! Just like the video choice). I am very pleased so far!
Good luck!
Krista

From: NatandRick

My photographer is Roger Lee, you can see his work at www.21stcenturyphotography.net. He is a photojournalist that does amazing work. I got his most expensive package, in which I have him for unlimited time, we take an engagement portrait at the beach before the wedding and an awesome album. I was able to see a recent brides album when I had my appt with him, and by the time I finished looking at the album, I felt as if I knew them and I was at the wedding. If you go to Wedding VII, you can see Krista's wedding, a knottie who got married in May..and her pics are great. He took 1600 pics at her wedding! Hope that helps, if you have any questions, email me at Natalie27r@hotmail.com.

From: Kris517

My photographer was Roger at 21st Century Photography in Boca and I can say, I am so happy with my pics. They really turned out awesome. The price was real good too and Roger took an insane amount of pics at my wedding, about 1600. My photojournalistic pics are probably the best testimony I have. You can see them (and my engagement pics) at www.21stcenturyphotography.net under Wedding VII, the engagement pics are under Krista & Jim