10 Reasons to use a professional wedding photographer
Many couples would like to use a professional wedding photographer to capture their wedding day, but when they discover how much this can cost, they start to think of creative ways of getting their wedding photos a little cheaper. Some couples simply opt for getting a friend of family member who has a digital camera to photograph their wedding for them. Whist I am a professional photographer I feel the need to address this issue in an unbiased manner.
10. We know weddings. We photograph so many weddings every year that we know what to expect. We know the best angles for bridal preparation, wedding vows, formal shots, first dances etc. We know what lenses to have ready and where to be to get the shots that mean the most to you. A friend who is doing this for the first time is not likely to have this inside knowledge.
9. Let Guests be Guests. Let your friend enjoy your wedding and not have to work for you. They will have to work hard, doing something they most likely have never done before…and you have given them a huge responsibility, this can lead to an awful lot of pressure and stress. Is that fair to them?
8. Professional Equipment. Photography gear is eye wateringly expensive, with some cameras costing over £4000. Us professionals have investment heavily in top of the line cameras, storage, lenses, lighting, you name it. We also have backup equipment to cover us in the event of an equipment failure.
7. Training. As professionals, we spend a great deal of time getting to know how to get the best out of our equipment. We attend training courses to stay current with the latest changes in the equipment and to hone our creative skills. As we are photographing most days, we become extremely competent with our equipment. Ameture photographers don’t have the time or finances to ensure the same level of training.
6. Contacts. As a photographer in Surrey, I’m constantly bumping into other professionals in the wedding industry, Florists, Hairstylists, Makeup artists, Venues, Wedding car drivers, as well as fellow photographers. Should anything go wrong on the day, we have the contact details of other suppliers who may be able to help out at very short notice.
5. The best computers. Many people do not see the detail of work photographers put into ensuring your images are securely backed up. What good are the best cameras and lenses if my computer dies and I lose all your wedding images? Most photographers have backup external drives, online storage, and offsite backups to protect YOUR images. Most people never think about this. Neither will your friend who has just taken up photography as a hobby.
4. We have a network. Another element most people do not consider is the reach of the photographer. I have contracted with you to be there on your wedding. But what happens if I am in a car accident on the way? What if I am hospitalized? Most professionals have a diverse network of other professionals that are friends that will always ensure you are covered.
3. Standards. Lets say a family member photographs your wedding. The camera was left on a setting that they don’t understand and they provide you with a CD of images that you can’t open on your computer because it was saved in a strange format. What if this person can’t convert these photos for you, will it mean you have lost all your photos? Professionals work very hard to ensure this is all sorted and simplified for you and you don’t have to worry about it.
2. Post production. When you see the photographs price, its difficult not to wonder why they cost so much money for only a days work. Most people don’t think about the time to email, setup meetings, research the venues, shoot the wedding, download and backup the images, edit the images, burn the assets, design layouts and albums, place orders, receive orders, deliver items, and follow up. It’s a lot more than 8 hours! I typically spend a week after the wedding on editing and organizational tasks.
1. It’s your best day. You were so excited when you said yes…the feeling of that ring on your finger. You have thought of this day since you were a little kid, and now it is approaching. Why would you settle on a non-pro to document it? As a professional, nothing bothers me more than hearing from people that say “our wedding images were horrible…we thought we’d save some money.” Basically, those memories are just that…
This post is not intended to sound negative, merely to highlight the possible problems that can go wrong while photographing a wedding, it something professionals think about a lot and work very hard to overcome. That’s why we are the professionals.
At Bluejay Photography, our motto is simple. To provide high quality wedding photos at a affordable price. If you would like to find out more about Bluejay Photography or our packages and prices, please click here.
This post has been adapted for the UK from material written by McManara
no comments