A couple of weeks prior to the wedding, I made the executive decision to hire a second photographer who would be with us to shoot getting ready shots. My photographer would have charged us a couple hundred extra per hour to be there while my bridal party and I were getting ready, and it was money I really didn’t feel like adding to the budget and spending at the last minute. I looked on Craigslist and found a photographer who was experienced in other areas who was willing to trade free photography and a CD of all pictures taken in exchange for building her portfolio. I figured there would be no real loss anyway — if the pictures sucked, I wouldn’t use them and I’d be at the same position I was prior (no pics of getting ready). If they were great, then I’d be ahead of the game.
With that said, here are a couple of the getting ready pics from our second shooter:
The second shooter info:
Robbie Kreinces
Robbie Kaye Photography
www.robbiekaye.com
I love the one of you laughing in the mirror! Actually both of the mirror pics are great. I especially like that we can see your back tattoo at the same time. It’s encouraging to hear that you can get such good results with a last-minute Craigslist post!
ChicagoSarah already wrote what I was thinking. =)
You were beautiful!
Great pics and great idea Mrs. Pearl! I would like to add (and just in case someone else is thinking of doing this) that our contract with our photographer SPECIFICALLY states that she will be the only photographer doing our event - so if you’re thinking of this, scour your contract to make sure it’s ok!
They turned out nice, good call!
Thanks for such a great idea! I’ve been wanting a second photographer, but was afraid it would be too expensive. Just found a girl for the right price on Craig’s list and her portfolio looks wonderful!
I second LS’ statement. Make sure it’s okay with your photographer - check the contract! 
Duh me…of COURSE make sure it’s OK with your photographer. The contract with my original photographer made no mention of having another shooter and before we hired our replacement main photographer, we let him know there was someone else.
One way we balanced this potential issue was that we had Robbie come for our getting ready pictures and she shot some of the reception room prior to it being opened to our guests. That way she (and we) got our shots, but there was no issue with messing up the other photographer’s light or getting in the way or whatever else.
Mrs. Pearl, Los Angeles
Age and Occupation: 26, High school history teacher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 37, Software engineer
Engagement Date: No official date, we just decided :-)
Wedding Date: July 2007
Venue: St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church, Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel
About Me: Mr. Pearl and I have been together for about four and a half years now. We've been "engaged" since 2004 and were originally supposed to get married in June 2006, but postponed the wedding to July 2007. I love shopping for housewares and office supplies, music, reading chick lit, football, and the diverse world of Los Angeles dining.
Glad you used her! The pics are great!