WR- Is this a horrible idea?
So with a little less than 8 months to go FI and I are looking for a photographer. The woman we used for our engagement pics doesn't do weddings any more, so she is out. We found a girl (a friend of a friend) that is into photography and takes some good pictures, but she has never done a wedding before. This freaks me out!! But she would only charge $500. And I do like her pictures. And she would bring with a second photog for free. We CAN spend more than that on photography. But, why do it if she can do just as good of a job. I don't know what to do. We found a few other photographers who have done numerous weddings, but they are all in the 1500-2000 range. Which is fine, but I don't really see much of a difference in quality. Other than that they have done weddings.
Okay, done rambling. Here is the girls photography fb page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/KelliMariePhotography/240525489299625 Specifically look at the engagement shoot she did since that is a 'couple' one.
Here is another one that we love but is more than a thousand dollars more:http://www.elisabethannphotography.com/
What would you do??
Re: WR- Is this a horrible idea?
Have you met the other photographer?
[QUOTE]Both pictures look really good. I would be worried about the friend's lack of experience though. Will she get all of the shots you want? Have you met the other photographer?
Posted by bethsmiles[/QUOTE]
Nope, I have not met either photographer. Both of them do engagement sessions, so we'll do those. I suppose if the engagement session totally sucks we could always change our photog...
[QUOTE]Good thoughts. Yeah, photography is really important to us since it is the only thing we'll have to remember the day afterwards. But I really love her photography. I'm just not certain she will know what pictures we need which does worry me.
Posted by polkadot111[/QUOTE]
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</div><div>I would suggest this for a professional as well, but whoever you go with make sure you give them a list of people you really want photographs of, and a list of moments you really want to capture. I don't think it's at all too micro-managey if you specify that you'd like some candids during dancing, or any special moments they catch between the two of you during dinner (looking at each other/or sweet glances, not you chowing down or anything, haha). You shouldn't have to chase the photog down during the day to get what you want, but you can sort of pre-prepare them for the images you'd like to get if possible. </div>
I feel like you get what you pay for in photography. When I was looking for photographers, the difference between the $1,000 and the $3,000* was like person with a nice camera and a profession photographer. It was crazy. I would never have someone who had never done a wedding do my photography, but only because photography is one of the most important things to me on my wedding day. I do like the $500 girl more but there are no wedding pictures.... It all depends on what you are comfortable with. Are you willing to possibly have terrible wedding pictures? If not pay more, it makes a difference.
*I also realize this price is relative to CA’s economy
Married! May 27th, 2012
This is a tough one. I don't know if I would be OK with a photographer that has never done weddings before but I really like the engagement pics she did. Also, like a few other people said, everyone's gotta start somewhere. So I'm not really being helpful lol but I like her photography and might wanna give her a chance!
Life is good today.
Weddings are a whole different breed when it comes to photography. They're pretty fast paced, and a lot of the moments can't be repeated. My favorite wedding shots are usually candid... the bride laughing at something a guest is saying to her, children dancing during the reception, the facial expressions of women as the bouquet is being tossed. The cheesy "smile and look at the camera" shots are alright, but it's nice to have variety.
This girl could be an awesome photographer for weddings, there's just no way of knowing that until she does it a couple times. Has she ever been a second shooter for a wedding? Second shooting is pretty much like training for the wedding photo business... you learn what shots are needed, how to pose people (including non model-esque ones), how to change camera settings and lenses QUICKLY, etc.
Equipment is also important... is she using a built in flash or is she bouncing a flash off the wall/ceiling? Does she have a lens that can take good low-light photos without blinding everyone with constant flashes during the ceremony? Does she know how to blend in with the background (and not block the view of guests or irritate people during the ceremony/reception).
It's really up to you whether or not you want to take the risk, I'd talk to her and ask a bunch of questions about what she has/hasn't done, and if you hire her I'd make sure she has a contract stating when you can expect photos after the event, whats included with the price, etc.
I will say that the friend of a freind's pics are very cute and natural. But, so are the pros, and she does have more experience. I would just decide how you feel about the price difference. Good luck!