Is it really worth getting a photographer?

j&n3 · July 2010

Most photographers go, at the cheapest, for a grand for a couple of hours. I have a tiny budget to work with, and hiring even for this would be a 1/3 of the price of my wedding! I know that pictures are beautiful to have, but is it worth it? Could there be another way, besides guests taking photos? Thanks!

~mRm~ · July 2010

I would try looking on your local Craigslist.org for some leads. I've seen start-up photogs offering free or low cost shoots (under $500) just to build their portfolios. I would also contact any local high schools or colleges in your area to see if any student photographers would be interested in a wedding for experience.

Best of luck!

j&n3 · July 2010

Great ideas! Thank you so much!

Speechie1970 · July 2010

I think it really depends on what is important to you. A friend of mine had friends take picture at her wedding and regrets it. She wishes she had a photographer for a couple of hours to really capture her day more beautifually than the photos she got. Know ing there was no official photographer we all did the best we could and got some really nice pictures but in all honesty it looks like like her friends took some nice pictures. Another friend had her uncle take pictures. He was good in that he knew who it was important to photograph but again - it looks like her uncle took the pictures. There is a big difference between having people take pictures and having a few really beautiful pictures. You have to decide what is important to you. I agree that you can find a better deal on photos. The local college is great place to start. Having nice pictures of my wedding day is important to me but I am also on a really limited budget ($4300 for our entire wedding - not honeymoon) so I asked around until I found someone. A friend told me about a friend who is breaking into the business and wanting clients. She works really hard and does a great job. I would say I am compromising slightly on quality (but very slightly) for a great price but I know the photos will be much better than if my friends (even the ones who take pics as hobbies) took them for me for free. My photographer has given me such an amazing deal she has asked me to not tell people what I am paying. I can tell you we are getting engagement photos and two photographers (she is apprenticing under a professional and he has agreed to come help her the day of our wedding) for unlimited time on our wedding day. We will get 100 pics for enagagement photos and 500-600 for wedding day, we will own the rigths and be able to re-produce anywhere we want to, get an album of 100 wedding pics, 20-30 pics wiht special effects, touch-ups as needed, and an online album for our family. I am really lucky I can do this within my budget. Think outside the box and start asking around - you never know who people know and what they will do. Don't give up yet if you want nice pictures. If it is not important to you to have the professional ones make sure you give friends/family (that you trust to follow through - and won't cut your husband's head off on all the pictures) a list of specific people and moments you want photographed. Make sure you let them know if they have permission to stop you to pose for pictures or not. Also if you hear of a friend of a friend who takes great photos make sure they do a good job photographing people - not flowers or landscapes or something else. I am sure It will work out for you like it did for us!

ChristyPooP · July 2010

I had a late afternoon wedding, and it was VERY low-key (backyard barbecue style on our birthday). I went to www.thepros.com

I got David H. to come out to our house for 4 hours, take all the pictures and I paid a total of $595. Keep in mind that I had the wedding July 3, holiday weekend, so I actually got a discount for that. Typically it's $895 for the Simplicity Package I went with.

I got amazing photos, the money was worth it and well spent. He was a lot of fun and a great photographer. I know what it's like doing a budget wedding cause I did it. My advice is make sure the food is good and the photos turn out great, the rest is just for show.

Best of luck to you, make your wedding everything YOU and your spouse want!

latty27 · July 2010

I think you will regret it if you do not hire a professional photographer. There is a lot that goes into photography, the average person has no idea how much work it is. I would put an ad up at a local university art department if you are on a budget. Be sure to check the portfolio and try to hire a senior student... most of them need the photos to build their portfolio and will be grateful for any type of payment. I would also put tons of disposable cameras out at the tables. Pictures last a lifetime, your future children and grandchildren will want to see them. Make sure they are quality. We are on a budget too but we are by far spending the most on our photographer.

good luck!

kimp67 · July 2010

The pics are one of the most important things to us. Just have to decide what's important to you.

swissarmymelody · July 2010

I've known a few brides who didn't have one and regreted it later. Personally, I think you can save on other areas, but having the memories of pictures are important. In the end, it's your budget and choice.

j&n3 · July 2010

Thanks everyone for your help! I do agree, I would love some great photographs for keepsakes. I never even though of looking on craigslist...just did and what do you know: cheap photographers. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[Deleted User] · July 2010

Photos are said to make someone remember that special moment and without them we probably wouldn't remember.

Is it really worth getting a photographer?

Re: Is it really worth getting a photographer?

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