Is it advisable to go without a wedding photographer on wedding day?

francefong

Hi, just wanted to ask and see what the thoughts on this were.  I know everybody says that getting a photographer on your wedding day is very important for capturing those moments, BUT...

About two months before our wedding, my fiance and I will be heading out to a wedding photo studio in Asia to take a variety of different photo shoots. 

Given that we are currently living in the digital age where almost everyone will be certain to bring their digital cameras, and that we will also have photos from our shootings in Asia by the time of our wedding, is it still advisable to get a photographer for the wedding ceremony and reception? 

Thanks to all who reply. 

LauraT25

Well, it's really up to you, but there are a lot of moments at your wedding that probably won't be captured by your guests, especially at the reception.  A lot of my favorite wedding photos are not of just me and my husband, so your private photo session in Asia will miss out on that.  I understand why you might be reluctant to spend money on a wedding photographer when you're having the session in Asia, but if I had to pick one or the other, I'd have someone present at the actual wedding, personally.

If you decide not to have a photographer, I would ask my closest friends and family to remember to take pictures of important things (first kiss, first dance, cake cutting, family photos) so they get captured on film.  We had a lot (over 500) of amateur pictures from our wedding, but most of them were pretty terrible and of the good ones, there was one shot of our first kiss, none of our first dance, very few of other people dancing at our wedding, etc.  I would request that someone goes around and takes pictures at all the tables so you at least get some photos of guests that way, but I wouldn't assign it as a job to anyone and I would be sure to get them a gift as a thank you.

francefong

Thank you so much for the advice, Laura.  I hadn't even thought about that aspect. 

I think I will check out a couple of the "budget" photographers and see what their packages/offerings are.  Or maybe even an amatauer photographer, and give them a list of "wanted" shots.  If we can work out something that sounds reasonable, then I might just go ahead with it.

RoMy215

Exactly what Laura said and then some..even though you're taking the pictures in Asia they'll be posed. I love that there are so many pictures of me and H from the day that captured our genuine feelings. When I've gone to weddings as a guest, I have taken my camera, but I often get distracted with the emotion of it all. I prefer to try to be in the moment and enjoy (especially the ceremony) without watching it all through a camera. If your friends get distracted/forget or someone doesn't come at the last minute, you'd be disappointed you didn't get whatever they were supposed to get.

francefong

Thank you for the input, too, RoMy.  I am really thinking about playing it safe now, and getting a photographer.  Plus, when I looked at the online albums of some of the photographers...they really do capture the emotions of the wedding day.  For the samples that I saw from some of the Asian studios, while they were certainly quite glamorous and cute at times, still...I had felt that there was something missing.  Earlier, I couldn't quite place my finger on it, but now I think I know what it is:  those genuine feelings you'd mentioned. 

Thank you for bringing that up. 

michelgauthier

I hope you get to read this message.

1st: don't confuse the image from a studio to the one take the day of the wedding... its like comparing Barrack Obama to Quentin Tarantino.

2nd: don't look for budget photographer. They are budget for a reason, your guest will do a better job.

3rd: get someone in your family that has a digital SLR to do the wedding for free.

4rd: put an add for a second shooter. You will then get a tons of reply from the real talented upcoming photographer. If you are wondering why would they reply to such an add when they can do wedding themself? simple, they are in for the quality and satisfaction, not the money, and want to be experienced enough before they accept a client on their own. (unlike ANY 500$ photographer).

5th: have the second shooter contact the main photographer (amateur). Then sweeten the pot (100-200$ should do it)

Michel Gauthier

jwdeldotto

ditto LauraT25!  At the end of the day, you will only  have your wedding photo and videos to relive that special day of yours.  Photography and/or videography should be something I would splurge on.....

See if you can cut your floral budgets...or maybe limit your guest count a bit....and allow for the budget to go w/ a professional.