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Master October 2009

Dear Bride....A letter from a Photographer

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Analy aka T-waffle, on March 31, 2011 at 7:55 PM

Posted in Planning 216

Hi Bride, Thanks for the opportunity to talk with you and Groom about your wedding. I realize that you've decided to go another direction. That's ok. I'm not offended. But I do want to make sure you know what you're doing. If it were another professional photographer, I wouldn't say anything, but I...

Hi Bride,

Thanks for the opportunity to talk with you and Groom about your wedding.

I realize that you've decided to go another direction. That's ok. I'm not offended. But I do want to make sure you know what you're doing. If it were another professional photographer, I wouldn't say anything, but I have to say something this time. It's all well and good that your friend is a photographer and is offering to do work for free. But you need to ask how important your photography is to you. The reason I ask this is because weddings take a certain amount of skill to do. They're not just show up with a camera. They're also, about knowing how to anticipate the height of expression, and the pivotal moments. It's knowing how to take romantic portraits of the bride and groom in less than 20 minutes without making them feel rushed, and worst of all, looking like they're rushed. Then there's the family pictures, the lighting problems when there isn't enough light, and knowing how to use speedlight

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216 Comments

Leighton DaCosta · on April 3, 2011 at 5:46 PM
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Also Chuwana, I would say while you may still end up paying them $**** for all day coverage, that will probably include the DVD of images. Compared to paying the same for only 6-8 hours and no rights to images.

Just a few different options.
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Ping Nepo · on July 28, 2011 at 6:45 PM
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I agree with the photographer, nowadays, there are tons of what we call "im a photographer" just because i have a DSLR camera, im a photographer, you dont go to your uncle for your dentals, you spend huge amount for your wedding, "at the end of the day" after a few years, you will not remember all of your guests, the food or song that was played, but in the end, great photos are great photos, you only get married once, there are no take two's in wedding... when there is a flood , fire, earthquake, according to surveys, photos are among the top 5 that people are going to put in their save list.. good luck
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Kalli Pavon · on January 2, 2012 at 1:52 AM
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Sometimes you do what you have to do because you have no other option. I have friend who, for medical reasons, was very much in debt. She is no longer connected to her family, her fiance's family was dirt poor, and she was in college barely living off a pell grant and student loans. Suffice it to say, she had no budget. At the time I had shot 3 weddings, and in order to build my portfolio and help a friend out, I made hers #4. At the time, it was a win-win situation, but if someone really is good at photography they won't do cheap weddings for long, if at all.
Do whatever you can to hire someone with a portfolio that blows you away. If you can move things around, go without fast-food for a while, quit smoking, ask for some donations, etc... and afford a professional photographer, then do it. If it's not impossible, it'll be worth it.

For those who are bitter about the investment, read this: http://chrisheatherlilly.com/?p=5318. Many times $3000 = $15-$20/hour for the pro.
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Master April 2021
Mrs. Spring · on January 4, 2021 at 11:32 AM
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This is too much. So what if someone wants an inexperienced person to do pics! Look at wedding photos from brides (middle class) decades ago. The photos look just fine.
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