Having an amateur friend do photography?

Murfle11 · May 2011

I know, I know: Biggest wedding faux paux short of wearing a bridal speedo. The thing is, my budget for the entire wedding is around $2000, including dress and reception and everything. My FI and I are engineering students so money is tight.

I read the posts in the photography section, but essentially they all say the same thing: don't do it. Since our budget is less than most people spend on the photo package alone, it's not feasible to hire a photographer, so I was wondering if anyone had advice for hiring an amateur, like what to tell them, places to be, what I should tell family to prepare, anything! I'm so lost!

Side note: She really is good, she's done proms for a local high school, graduation photos, family shoots, and her shots are very good and she is amazing at photo touching with the programs she has. I'm just nervous about getting everything together, because at the end of the day, all you have are the pictures.

zazelle · May 2011

I would make a lot of lists: timeline for picture-taking, must-have pictures, which pictures you want posed, which you want more natural, etc. Expect to have to ask her to take a lot of the pics, since she won't know from experience what is important to the bride, and expect to have to direct her a bit in how you want things. It will be more work for you, but will save you $$.

raspberrytart · May 2011

The difference between graduation photos, family portraits, senior portraits, etc. and wedding photos is that all those other photos are posed. There is time to get people in the right position, get the lighting correct, etc. During a ceremony or reception, there is no posing--you have 1/2 second to set up the shot (often in crappy lighting) and get it right. It's a lot harder.

Still, I understand your plight in regard to budget.

* As zazelle said, provide her with tons of info. You might have to take charge on this one in order to get the shots that you want. Also, bright mid-day sun or a "mood-lit" chapel or reception hall will make for a bad photography situation.

* If she takes your wedding-day photos and they absolutely suck, will you be able to forgive her, or will it ruin your friendship?

* Do your engagement photos with her and if you hate them, listen to your gut. Don't make excuses about money; there are always other people out there that you could get for cheap (including professionals).

Every professional starts out as an amateur, so you might be just fine and end up with okay photos. Good luck!

Murfle11 · May 2011

You both bring up good points. I will definitely give her a spreadsheet of what to do. My biggest concern is having a bunch of pictures that look like "Uncle Bob's snapshots," ya know? I have another friend who is actually working on a degree in photography, but these two friends don't exactly get along and I don't want a wedding day scuffle about who does what.

Thanks, gals, for letting me vent a bit and provide more information than you actually wanted!!

mob2689 · May 2011

awsome idea Mark!

LightSourcePhotography · May 2011

If you are in Texas, try Simone Epiphany. She isn't a $4,000 photographer by any means. I knew her in New Orleans and she is moving back to TX in 2 weeks and her wedding photography biz is moving with her. She is a self-proclaimed "budget-friendly" photographer. Most of her pacakges are under $800. Tel her Cathleen Warren sent you, maybe she will give her a better deal. Doesn't hurt to try!

monique026 · May 2011

I consider myself an amateur photographer, and I just shot my first wedding this weekend. As a recent bride myself, my hired "30-years of experience professional" completely screwed up my pictures (blurry, out of focus, didn't know how to use a flash, all the photos completely grainy, etc.) so it goes to show that a) not all amateurs are bad and b) not all professionals are good. To see the "amateur" photos I took of my friends wedding, you can look at my facebook business page (I'm a professional graphic designer but picked up photography as a hobby):

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monique-Tervo-Design/122265447792862

Having an amateur friend do photography?

Re: Having an amateur friend do photography?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards