Dear Bride....A letter from a Photographer

I also want to second Brian - when you "hire" friends to do things and something goes wrong, no matter how well said it is, the friendship will never be the same. I would never want to bet on a friendship like that. Just sayin.

Also, Analy, I totally got what you were saying when this originally posted, and I am UBER surprised the conversation went this way. Oh well. [shrugs]

Kristen, I can't tell if you're purposely misspelling "matter" to further portray your bitterness; but I think your issues run a little deeper than "expensive" photogs... Something to ponder.

I don't think anyone is mad at Analy. I think the point was that when some are basically saying "why bother if you don't have pro pics - don't bother with a nice dress; don't bother having a pretty cake; just don't bother"....it's upsetting because that would mean for several of us you're saying we should...what?....go to the courthouse? I mean really. My budget for the whole shebang is 2k. That's for food, drinks, cake, dress, husbands clothes, linens, flowers, fixing up the yard so it's nice (since we don't have the money for a 'real' venue) and buying our girls a cheap sundress to wear.... So we shouldn't bother because we can't afford ANYTHING for a pro photographer? Really? That's where the feeling of being put down comes from. I feel sorry about all those thousands of years when there were no professional photographers....aaaalllll those women who just shouldn't have bothered.......

I've been wondering about the photography situation myself, Analy. I believe that what Brian C. posted was spot on, however, if you KNOW that you're friend is a good photographer, then I would go with it. But if you're choosing her just because it's gonna save money and she's good with a camera, I wouldn't do it.

But hey, if you really trust her to do a good job, go for it.

To me, photos are the most important aspect (other than marrying the love of my life) of my wedding & I didn't want to skimp in that area. However, we did negotiate a little & instead of getting a credit towards our prints, we got an extra hour & money taken off. I would hate to think that I hired someone cheaper & less experienced & ended up with no pictures.

On the other hand...we thought a videographer was out of our budget (since everything else cost ALOT more than we planned). However, we just found one who is a quarter the price of the rest. Although he is Emmy award winning (in news video, not wedding video) he has nothing to show us. So we decided that our choice is either no video, or a $500 gamble. We're taking the $500 gamble.

Basically, if you have no other way of getting photos, videos, or whatever else it is for your day other than hiring a friend or your cheapest option, I say go for it. For some people it is a choice of cheap vs zero. In that case, I say go cheap!

I, am also in agreement of hiring a professional. The day goes by so fast. If you want to be able to relive it, you want some nice photos. Professional ones. Our venue is a bit different, so I asked my photographer to meet us there so he could use his "eye" to see where we should take pictures,etc.. he talked about when the sunlight is at its peak, where it would be coming from, etc... Stuff I don't normally think about. They are professionals for a reason. If you can't afford too much, then don't go all out and get the biggest package. Most of smaller packages (ok all that sounds dirty and will work w/your budget. IMO its worth it, but that's just me.

This letter was written perfectly! We hired a photog based on a friend saying " i have a friend that her mother does excellent work and she highly recommends". DUMBEST mistake i have ever made!! We went to her house and she showed us a few images on about 3 different computers, completely unprepared and flustered. We still chose to use her and have our engagment pics done the next weekend. I was very glad we had her take the engagement photos, because she showed us her true colors when only about 3-4 shots were decent! On the disk was a photo of a fox she had seen on her trip over to take our outdoor shots...Now wth do I want a photo of a fox?!? one image was cropped and b&w'd, no lie, 10 times!! Again, "ok" picture, but was the 10 (almost the same) edits necessary. While we only paid her $100 and the remaining was to be paid before the wedding, I was still disappointed. Completely my fault for trying to be cheap. We ended up hiring the photog that I had originally sought out

And decided to try and find cheaper. The new photog has since done enagagement and boidior shots and I absolutely LOVE his work!! So incredibly happy I chose a professioinal photographer. Ugh... no more disappointing wedding day pics for me! He is $2000 more than what we were paying for the other lady, but demonstrates a much better quality of work!

Of course I agree with the letter, and should use it as a canned response, or a "signature" on the outgoing portion of all of my request emails.

I'd like to comment on something that hasn't been touched on in the 5 pages (so far) about lowering the cost, or doing it for free. Of course you're paying for the experience, but as a photographer grows and matures into an experienced photographer, typically their gear does as well. We're not coming with one base model Rebel (or insert Nikon base model) with the kit lens. Heck my lenses cost more than the mid tier Canon models. One of the brides I just booked sent me an email yesterday, "I hope that this isn't an issue, but the church has a No Flash policy." Of course not, this is what separates the fauxtographers from the photographers. I have invested the thousands of dollars on my bodies and glass to work in these environments and still give a consistent quality product.

(cont)

Further, cameras DO have a theoretical life span on their shutter, so it is an asset which depreciates with use. Every wedding is taking away from the "life" of the camera. When you get a new photographer, that is charging nothing, or next to nothing, you aren't going to find them in business in a year or two. They will eventually find out that they've been working not for free, but losing money when they walk out the door. Heaven forbid your house burns down with all of your photos in it. Your photographer is long gone, there go all of your wedding memories.

As much as a planner may not agree with my statement here, but your photographer is going to dictate the flow of your wedding day. If you have someone without experience, dragging you through the formals, and the obligatory images to make you shine, you're going to be late for cocktail hour, dinner, whatever you're doing after your service ends.

(cont)

Yes. Anyone can look and see how the images come out, we all do it. I do it to ensure that there are no blinkers, eye contact, etc. But if that person "Pushing the button" doesn't know how to correct the situation presented, what good are they doing even wasting your time?

We all have our budgets, find a photographer you like, and see if they can work within your means. The two hour quick shoots have been so popular for me lately, that I added it to my pricing sheet. This is a great option if you can't afford a full day of coverage from a reliable professional photographer. As some others have said, don't be put off by the initial investment that you may see listed. We're all human, ask for any discounts, see if there is anything that can be done to bring the price into what YOU can afford. Don't slam a photographer because they/we charge too much. There's a reason!

6 pages! Now I have to jump on...

I agree with some and disagree with others. We are hiring a professional, mostly because I am not going to be posing for 2 hours beforehand, I wanted someone who can get really wonderful candid shots.

Ok, but some have mentioned not being able to afford a pro. I totally understand that it's worthwhile to ask pros to lower rates, give discounts, etc. But let's say your budget for photography is low (pretend $200) and you can't find a pro willing to do you wedding, because you're getting married during the spring or summer and there are better paying jobs out there. Seems likely, right?

Matt and Brian - maybe you could give advice to those ladies on what to look for if they do need to ask a family friend or someone from craigslist to do their pics? I understand that isn't your first recommendation to begin with, but I can just imagine that for some girls, finding a pro might be impossible. Do you have any helpful thoughts for them?

Plan! I don't turn down a 2 hour wedding shoot over a full day shoot just because I will net more at the end of the day. But if your wedding is the same year and you're just starting to shop a photographer, you're way behind the 8 ball. For example 2012 is the common booking right now. So if you're a 2011 bride, and looking for a date, you're getting to the point now that you're not so limited by your budget, but by who would still be available.

Look at your invite list. You may have 200 people on there. Do you really need 200 people? Start with close family and important friends, all the required ones. Does your employer from both sides need to come? No! Even if you invite 200 people, you're not going to have that many show up. What do they say, expect 25% to not show up. That's 50 people. So if you budgeted for 200, and are feeding 150 at a modest $50/pp you've got $2500 back right there.

(cont)

If you really have to go there, again I say, ASK some photographers. They may know of some people who are a bit less experienced and looking to get some bookings. I have some people that I refer to who don't cost as much as my services. But 99% of the responses that we send out, we never even know if the requesting person received it. You leave a voice mail, send an email, etc. and the bride/groom NEVER call back. How can we help you or work with you in those situations? They look at the bottom line price, and say, "Next."

(adding some more to my thought) - Sometimes our second shooters aspire to be on their own. They might be willing to work within your budget, and if they have a question on post processing after the fact, they have the luxury of a professional to bounce things off of. Granted you can't change the composition, but they can have their mentor look at their final product for critique. My second shooter is my business partner, he critiques everything prior to delivery!

Rosemary, thank you. Every one keeps justifying why you should go with a pro and I get it, but not everyone could afford it. I spent more time looking calling and emailing photographers than any other vendor. Tryin to fit my budget and get good photos. I am not an album person and have decided to get a digital photo frame for my wedding photos instead. So all I would need are the pics on a disc. Like 2d said you don't need pics to remember your day. I initially got married at a courthouse and the memory of that day is ingrained in my mind and the memories are not good. I posted about hiring a new photog and I admit I felt overwhelmed by the responses. Everyone was saying what not to do but not giving me any usuable advice on how to stick to a small budget and get good results. They made it seem impossible. I went with a photog who is offering 5 free weddings to build his portfolio. He is a second shooter for a big company and has done lots of weddings. He has good editing skill

I have to totally agree with the photographer from the letter, Brian C., and Matt. When I first started my wedding planning I was looking for someone cheap, but I realized the photos are the second most important thing on my list (first getting married to FH). I love photography and looking at professionals photos. It's been so hard to find the perfect one. I've looked at "low budget" photogs and their photos didn't impress me, wow me, or do anything for me. I want a photographer that when I look at the picture I feel like it my day, my photos. I've seen tons of great photos. I've seen tons of prices, and in all honesty the professionals are the ones I want.

I want to hire someone who can take great photos almost every time, who has the best camera and lenses, who knows what they are doing. I've seen some "professionals" as they would call themselves and their photos were horrible. No one here is trying to hurt feelings and everyone has their own opinions. (continued)

Is personable and i love the photos he showed me he has insurance and back up equipment. So ladies don't give up. I'm my area (the DC) they're are less expensive photogs some were decent and others not so good but still a better option than a point and click if you can afford it. To the ladies who can't afford anything, don't feel bad your day will be beautiful with or without the photos and you will remember marrying your soulmates.

As someone who is on a low end budget ($7500 for entire wedding) I've been looking at ALL options for everything. I am doing a lot of stuff myself and other things with the help of my older sister (who happens to be very craft in all areas). I am paying for the wedding myself. I found a venue for $100 an hour (that is to die for), I am only having only very close family and some friends, I am doing flowers myself (simple carnations or gerber daises), I am making table cloths myself (for me, way cheaper then renting or buying), we are doing food ourselves, I am doing invitations myself, my older sister is helping make our cake. All this so I can afford to have the BEST photos I can. That is where the biggest part of my budget is going to.

I've pretty much budgeted everything up (I always over estimate) and I will still be under $7500 with spending about $1500 (hopefully a little more) on my photographer. We are paying for everything ourselves.

As someone who is on a low end budget ($7500 for entire wedding) I've been looking at ALL options for everything. I am doing a lot of stuff myself and other things with the help of my older sister (who happens to be very craft in all areas). I am paying for the wedding myself. I found a venue for $100 an hour (that is to die for), I am only having only very close family and some friends, I am doing flowers myself (simple carnations or gerber daises), I am making table cloths myself (for me, way cheaper then renting or buying), we are doing food ourselves, I am doing invitations myself, my older sister is helping make our cake. All this so I can afford to have the BEST photos I can. That is where the biggest part of my budget is going to.

I've pretty much budgeted everything up (I always over estimate) and I will still be under $7500 with spending about $1500 (hopefully a little more) on my photographer. We are paying for everything ourselves.

My gf got married recently and they had a friend do their pics. And it looks just like what it is - someone with a fancy camera taking pictures. No creativity, play on lighting, etc.

I feel fortunate to be able to afford a good photographer. On our wedding day I want my photog to capture all of the little moments and make them look magical. I love the way he captures emotion. And I can't lie - I'm looking forward to looking flawless thanks to his professional equipment, skill, and editing. :-P http://www.samdeanphotography.com/#/best-of-2010/best_of_2010_-26