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When we first started wedding planning, I knew from the get-go that choosing a photographer would be a problem. I’m always the one snapping away at friends’ weddings, and it makes me crazy that I’m doomed to spend our own wedding day without a camera in hand. And I’m very picky about photographers. I took a grad school class in Documentary Photography that taught us to view photos with a critical eye — interesting and fun, but something of a handicap when looking for a wedding photographer on a low budget!
After many sleepless nights reviewing online galleries, poring over Craigslist posts from inexpensive photographers, and reading discussion board threads about various options, last week I found The One. They say finding The One is like finding your perfect dress, or even your groom: “When it happens, you’ll know.” It was exactly like that for me — I was so overjoyed to find a great photographer within my price range, I actually cried.
But over the next few days, I started thinking about the real cost of her fee, and I’m seriously wavering. The money could buy a whole list of items we’ve been dreaming of for ages. As much as my heart yearns for beautiful photos of our big day, I just don’t know that we can justify that kind of expense. It doesn’t help that married friends all say after a while they never look at their wedding photos.
I still believe my photographer is The One and that she’s more than worth her fees in relation to the wedding market. If it’s a question of which photographer to hire, there’s no question. But we’re not sure it’s a question of “which,” but of “whether”….
We see 3 options:
1. Skip the pro. Use family and friends. This has to produce at least a passable record of the day. I took the 3 photos featured here at friends’ weddings, and 2 of them with the very basic manual camera I got when I was 15. With all the fancy, high-megapixel, zoom-lens, point-and-shoot digitals everyone is sporting these days, we’ve got to get at least a few good shots, right?
2. Hire a different, cheaper pro. But what worries me most is that the photos won’t meet my high standards and I’ll cringe every time I look at them.
3. Go with the family/friend option for the big day, but hire “The One” for an engagement or trash-the-dress type session so that we have at least a few fancy photos to mark the event. She’s willing to do this for about 1/4 the price of a full wedding shoot. And we’re leaning this way. But should we just suck it up and pay the whole thing for the whole wedding?
Does anyone have advice for us? Has anyone else made a choice to skip the photos, or found a creative way to approach the issue? (Thanks!!)
Mmmm. I am a graphic designer and my fiance is a photograher (wildlife). I shoed him some pretty nice photograhy the other day and all he could see were the flaws–out of focus here, too much contrast there. And once he pointed it out, I couldn’t see the photo for the errors either. If you are like that, go for a good pro–maybe just for the ceremony and part of the reception? A little less pricey, but you’ll be confident in getting some good shots. Photography is more than just having a good camera–these guys earn their living I think.
The photography was one of the most expensive things I picked out. (And it’s pretty budget friendly compared to what other people I’ve heard have paid). To heck with flowers…even my dress was a fraction of the cost. But it was important for me to have tons of great pcitures. I may never look as pretty ever again!
I think I would skip option 1 or 3– your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. You want it to be documented well and leaving it up to chance by having friends or family photograph it seems risky to me.
I tossed and turned forever about choosing a wedding photographer bc of how expensive it was and everyone I loved was so costly. In the end, I ended up going with a midrange photographer. I’m happy with my choice. I say either go ahead and book the photographer you would love (I would guess few ppl regret the decision to splurge on photography) or find someone you like who is a little bit less.
For me I spend a lot on things that are heirlooms for our kids: dress, veil, rings, photographs. The rest is important, but fleeting…
We went through a similar process, and I am VERY happy with what we ultimately chose. At first we were thinking we wouldn’t hire any pro photographer because we have a fair number of very good amateurs that were going to be coming to the wedding anyway; then decided we HAD to have a pro, but all the ones I liked were way too expensive; then found The One, who was affordable (although still quite a bit above what we were “hoping” to pay). In the end, we splurged a bit and got The One (Jane Heller! She rocks!) and seriously I am sooooooooooo glad that we did!!!! A couple of our friends got some really fantastic shots, but most of them have someone standing up front, or some other little “doesn’t quite look pro” touch because they didn’t want to get in the way of other people (which is nice, but just means they don’t have as good access as a designated official photographer would be willing to take). But aside from that her photos are just gorgeous and, it may just be me, haha, but I really do look at at least a couple of them every single day and i’m approaching 3 months since the wedding now. 
I’m sure I won’t keep it up forever, but knowing that we have these perfect gorgeous photos is really really deeply satisfying, for whatever that’s worth! So I obviously say - since you said she was within your price range, even if still a lot of money - go for it!!! I think people who really care about photography really DO care about whether a picture just keeps a record of the day or perfectly captures the moment. Okay this is long, but that’s my 2 cents!
Hi Miss Tulip,
I’m from the MD area, so I’ll help as much as I can. I’m on a budget, too, but photos are the most important to me next to my [numerous] change of dresses on the wedding day. So far, I’ve looked into different photographers and these are affordable for our budget. We went with J. Stuart Harris, whom we met at a bridal event. My friend went with Anne Lord, and she was soooooooo nice. She even brought 2 assistants to capture all the shots.
Both had excellent personalities and was willing to accomodate the couple.
I’ve looked into
http://www.annelordphotography.com/EOP_Content.aspx?Menu=51
Try them.
I agree so much with maverika! And when I plan I’m always keeping my dad’s motto in mind: If you’re going to do it, do it right, do it once, and don’t have any regrets! Can’t go back and recreate the moment again, so let a fabulous photographer capture it right! It’ll take lots of research, but I just know you’ll find the *one* in budget like we did! Good luck!
I found The One–completely out of my price range and 6 states away as a matter of fact. After a few email exchanges with her, she gave some great advice which I will share with you. Use craigslist to find someone in your range and once you narrow it down, they should show you any publications they have done, a full set of proofs, you should contact several references and you should click with them …they will be in your face as well as families all day!! I was very particular about having a photo-journalist style photographer so I cross referenced the craigslist photographers with the WPJA site to find a qualified person. I’m extremely happy with my choice both for quality of work and affordabliity.
Just as a side note from a bride who was married on Sunday— don’t count too heavily on friends and family. Things happen (like they get so wrapped up in the emotion they forget to shot it) so have a professional whose job it is to capture the moments. Good luck!!
I went through the same dilemma. What we settled on was going with the awesome photographer but making sure the contract gave us the rights to all digital negatives. So we invested in the photography service (which we could not DIY) and saved in the processing/album service (which we can do a lot of DIY, with amazing variables, great competition, online, thanks to digital photography). When negotiating, don’t tell the photographer you aren’t buying any of their processing or they might jack the day-of cost!
Whatever happened to the good old days when the couple went to a studio for one or two magnificent photos and then enjoyed their wedding day with friends & family taking the occasional candid snapshot. We do treasure those studio portraits of the older generation.
For what it’s worth, our #1 favorite photo of the day was taken by a relative (free!) with an awesome camera. Lucky shot?
Hands down one of the most common regrets I’ve heard from former brides is that they didn’t get a good photographer.
The photos are one of the very few purchases that will last beyond the wedding day. As the years go by your memory will get fuzzy and it will be a shame to lose record of all those lovely little details that you’ve been putting so much time and money into. And maybe you won’t pour over those albums immediately while everything is fresh, but I really think you’ll appreciate having them later.
I really think this is one of the areas where you shouldn’t be afraid to spend to get what you want - get your dress on ebay, make your own invitations, use silk flowers, have a mid-afternoon cake and punch instead of a later four course dinner, scrap the favors and out of town baskets, but please hire a professional photographer that you love!
If you think you’ll cringe looking at a cheaper pro, I think you’ll cringe looking at what non-professional family and friends do. Sure sometimes it works out, but if you have a discerning eye…
Please please please don’t go without a pro photographer on your wedding day. My insides kind of hurt at the mere thought of you not having a cohesive unit of photos from the day! Maybe some people don’t look at their wedding photos that often, but what about 20 years from now when their kids want to know what their parents’ wedding day was like? I feel like then, they will really be glad that they spent the money and did it right to have professional shots.
I think what Mrs. Bluebell said hit the nail on the head — friends may capture some great moments, but the difference between pro and amateur photos will always show…. for someone like you who has a critical eye for photography, I think you will regret not having professional shots of your day.
I had a very similar problem, but then a friend of mine said something to me that made me throw caution to the wind and just go with “The One.” She said, there are only two things that are last after your wedding — the husband and pictures! So make sure you have a good husband and good pictures.
I think you will regret it if you skimp on the pictures.
My vote goes for splurging on photos and saving on other stuff, too. You can’t rely on your guests to take pictures– after all, you want them to be crying during your ceremony, and partying during the reception, not trying to line up that perfect shot! You’ll never get the beautiful closeups and great lighting that you would with a professional.
I think you could also get The One for a post-wedding shoot, and hire someone cheaper for the day of. My husband and I loved a photojournalist but were concerned we wouldn’t get any artsy posed shots of us in our finery. So we hired him for the day of and got another photographer for a pre-wedding shoot earlier in the week! Best of both worlds…
If you want to continue your search, I started on craigslist. I put up an ad looking for students and pro’s who are trying to get into the wedding market. Some have done a few weddings but want more experience.
I have gotten over 100 responses and seen some amazing photographs.
I sent out a second email, explaining all that and asking for prices of just an engagement shoot and availability. Most of the responses have given me oppurtunity to have free engagement shoots or ones at deeply discounted rates.
Most of them are willing to do the TTD session for free for experience. Some of them with experience already.
Basically, if I am willing to let them use my photos, I get it all for free.
See more in my blog:
xing5683.wordpress.com
it seems that photography is quite important to you. i’d probably splurge in that one area, if nothing else. i’d say go with “the one” or option #2. perhaps you could shorten the time of photography to lessen the package. does she have an option to just document the ceremony and bridal portraits, plus maybe one hour of the reception?
Well Miss Tulip… let me start by saying that I too am VERY picky about photography. I also thought about some of those same options. In the end I decided it would be worth it to up the budget for photography and cut back in other places.
IT WAS THE SINGLE BEST DECISION THAT I MADE ABOUT MY WEDDING!!! I can’t emphasize that enough.
As far as hoping that family/friends will get good shots… don’t count on it. Most of the shots we got from friends/family were no where NEAR the quality of our pro shots. Plus, he was there to capture things they wouldn’t have.
Many, many things in our wedding went wrong, and if it wasn’t for the gorgeous photos that I have to remember the few things that went right I would be soooo disappointed. And by the way, I really don’t remember much clearly… the day went by so fast and it’s all a blur.
As far as getting a cheaper photographer, I wouldn’t go too cheap. Othewise, what’s the point, KWIM?
Here is my post about deciding on a photographer, it might help: http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/07/02/radish-a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-dollars/
Also, if you want, you can look at my Flickr photo group. It has some pictures from family/friends and some from our pro photog (forbes creative is the username). I think it clearly highlights the difference in pro/non pro. I’ll send you the link in a message.
Anyway, that’s my 2 cents. I really think you’ll regret it if you skip on good pro pics.
I think that, like all wedding choices, you’ll utimately go with your gut. For me, though, the photographer is the most important vendor. I love photography, I scrapbook, I take pictures all the time, and I am more than willing to spend less in other areas (like, waaaay less) to have a photographer that I love.
Also - the people you have talked to may not look at their wedding photos a lot, but it sort of sounds like you love photography and YOU will. Also - personally, I *love* looking at family members’ wedding albums. Seeing the whole family together, in group shots and candids, over several generations - it’s so fun. I hope I have a great wedding album that my imaginary future children will love!
In response to a completely separate part of your post, I say you CAN take pictures at your own wedding. I took a few shots before the guests arrived, and a few during the reception, and yeah, I got yelled at (”you’re not supposed to be taking pictures!” “Yeah? Why not?” “Uh…because!”), but forget them. I love the fact that these few pictures are from my exact point of view.
I totally agree with MissBlushing. You may not look at the wedding photos everyday now. But in the years to come, they are one of the only pieces left of your day. I would definitely splurge. I was in a similar situation with a good photographer with a good price and an even better photographer with a high price (3K more than the other)… my FI convinced me to go with the best photographer. So I’m biased, but I say splurge.
Hmm, sometimes it takes me a while, but I do think I’m starting to sense some sort of a trend in the responses….?
For a day or so I felt good about deciding “no”, but then I started to really miss the idea of pretty pictures. But it’s so hard to know the difference between what the bridal industry talks you into and what really does matter, you know? Your responses are really helpful in that respect.
There have been too many helpful suggestions to single out for thanks, so just want to say an overall THANKS to everyone who has offered up ideas so far. They’ve been great!!
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Mrs. Tulip, DC Age and Occupation: 36, Retired Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't Contractor Engagement Date: August 8, 2007 Wedding Date: March, 2008 Venue: Still Looking! About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
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