CraigsList Photography

Yes, it does take heart and passion. But it also takes skill, lots of knowledge of lighting, knowledge of project management and being able to work efficiently with assistant staff, having backup equipment in case of any failure. (I had a flash die 2 weddings ago, good thing I had others with me or I'd have been screwed). Oh and liability insurance. This is someone else's no do over event. A professional takes it seriously and has systems in place to make sure all goes as planned and is prepared for Murphy's law.

It's fine if you can't afford a service provider with those qualifications as long as you have some latitude when things don't go exactly as you planned, and are of the mindset that as long as you have at least some photos you like in each part of the wedding, you're good. The cheap people are needed, not all can afford a photographer at all. But you have to be happy with what they can do.

I wouldn't put an ad on craigslist in the first place if I was expecting the work of a $3500 photographer. I simply cannot afford that so I go with what I can afford and take the bad with the good. CraigsList is a great avenue for advertisement and just because they put an add on there doesn't automatically mean they aren't going to give me good work. I have been emailing back and forth with one photographer whose work is amazing and exactly what I want. She emails me back within the hour and is generally interested in learning about me and me fiancé. I tried to look for established vendors on a higher budget and went without responses for days and that is a huge turn off. I'm happy with my low budget photographer!

Wow I don't know why their communications aren't more on point....that is an embarrassment for them. You clearly know how Craigslist works and I am glad you found a good fit! Some others want the new Mercedes at the price of a used Kia. lol.

Be careful on craigslist. My friend found her videographer that way. Sadly, she has been married 1 year and 8 months...

she still has no wedding video.