Wedding photography can cost a fortune. I once had a summer job at a photography place. Wedding packages were in the 4-digit price range, and often didn’t include every photo taken. Yikes!
Having great wedding photos is crucial. In the whirlwind of the day, you probably won’t be able to take in all of the action going on around you. Hopefully, your photographer can capture most of it for you.
If you go with a regular photo studio, see if you can negotiate the package to fit your needs. Will they allow you to have all of the digital files of the photos so you can make your own prints?
If you go with a freelance photographer, be sure you’ve seen his or her work. If you don’t know the photographer well, ask for references.
And: Sign a contract.
If you live near a major university, check to see if the school has a photography department. Some budding photographers might want to build their wedding portfolio, and they’ll often be able to give you a great rate.
Or, seek photographers at the campus newspaper and yearbook.
Since I have a journalism background, I knew I wanted my wedding photography to be more photojournalistic in style.
Be sure to discuss the specific types of shots you want taken before the big day.
I hired an extremely talented photographer from the paper/yearbook. Everything went well, and a few days later, he gave me all of my photos, burned to DVDs.
As part of our agreement, I made my own prints.
I saved thousands of dollars for going this route. The photographer made some money and added to his portfolio, and I got a great deal on my photos.
Above is a photo that’s one of my favorites. My husband says it looks classic–like it could have been in a magazine in years past.
Check out my dad, wiping a tear from his eye with his handkerchief. We were about to go up the stairs leading to the church sanctuary.
I saw the photos immediately before this shot. They were average–Dad and I were talking, he started to reach for his handkerchief, I turned to look at the girls… and this image is priceless.
Great photography means anticipating the moment and being ready to capture it in a partial second.
Beautiful photo! Your tips are very good. I am NOT happy with our wedding photographs because they were simply too posed and formal and I realize now I would have preferred lots more candids. However, it’s still a lovely lovely day in my memory, so I’m not bitter!
It’s a fine line here. I refused to pay such a fortune from these wedding photographers. So I went with someone that was new to it but did a lot of art photography. She did a lousy job! Be careful if you don’t use a pro.
a family friend of my matron of honor does photography and i paid her $150 and gave her a list of what i wanted. she printed up a lot of the photos, put them in a nice wedding album, and also gave me the photos on DVD so I could make duplicates. saved a TON this way.