how much does photography typically cost?are prints included?

I recommend hiring a pro. If it's not within budget, $300 is a steal.

http://weddingrescue.wordpress.com/category/not-hiring-a-pro-when-you-can/

If you wouldn't serve Twinkies to your guests at dessert time, then you shouldn't let throwaway cameras be the source of your memories. Ultimately, the goal with your photography should be "quality".

Another myth I'd like to dispell is that seasoned pros shoot film while new, inexperienced photographers shoot digital. Pure myth. I know many photographers that shot film for years (30+) and have turned to digital. I came from film- I am 100% digital now, and wouldn't dream of going back. I just got the new Nikon D700- OMG. Breathtaking is an understatement. Incredible, amazing files.

Best wishes to you.

My only question would be " waht kind of photos do they normally take?" Is this something that they do on a normal basis, or is it only a hobbie ? It is truly whether or not you feel comfortable with the idea.

I have seen alot of people who do this and everything goes well. On the other hand , I've seen just as many who end up regretting the decision only because something happens andeither the photos do not come out like you had hoped, or they dont come out at all. then , ...where do you go? Can you get your money back? what do you do with the wedding , but no pictures?

Friends are wonderful to help out on budgets. Just make sure, for your own sanity, that you know exactly what you are to expect , and that , God forbid, if something goes wrong, you have a "back-up" .

Otherwise , I've been known to photograph an entire wedding and reception for $5oo. This includes unlimited photos on disc w/copyright release ( You WILL need that no matter who takes the pix), 8x10's,and 3composits

That's really not bad considering the amount of time you are prob having them for I'm not doing prints just having the rights to the cd and i'm paying over 800. just make sure you see his other pics before you jump into it so you don't have any regrets. We just did a session with our wedding photog for fam pics and it was only an hour and we paid 150 no prints but rights to the pics so we can print them anywhere. MAKE SURE you get him to release the rights for you because walmart or any other place WILL NOT release the copies you make without that piece of paper

With wedding photography, you get what you pay for. Depending on your area, midrange packages usually range in price from $1500 to $4000. If it were me, I'd spend more for someone who is documenting the memories of my wedding and cut back in other areas. As for Walmart, the print quality is HORRIBLE. Get a professional photographer so you can have professional prints made. This is a once in a lifetime event, so treat it accordingly.

I need open heart surgery. My friend has a scaple and took some human anatomy classes while at college. He's charging me $500 to do it. Is that a good deal?

All kidding aside, if photography doesn't mean that much to you then yes, go ahead and spend $300 on your friend. You'll be more than happy. Even if they have some training in Photography (they take great cityscapes/landscapes/birds/sports, etc) wedding photography is a COMPLETELY different ball game.

What you pay for in a professional: quality work, experience (something that cannot be taught), back up equipment, back up photographers in case of emergency, insurance, professional equipment.

Again, it's all how you want to remember you day by because in the end, 20, 30, 40 years from your wedding day, the only thing you'll have left to remember your special day will be the photographs.

At the end of your wedding day what are you left with? A cake that has been eaten, flowers that will either die or sit on a shelf and get dusty, a dress you will never wear.. and memories. Memories fade too.

Photography is so important. It preserves the day so well. I am in Houston and I am using the photographer that my SIL used last year. Wonderful work!! Affordable price. Super affordable! Let me know if you'd like the contact info. My budget was $1000 for 4 hours and we came in way under that for the CD only and a few prints.

I'm going to chime in and agree with everyone else. $300 is an extremely good deal, but don't go cheap for your wedding pictures. This is one of the most important days of your life and it's going to fly by so fast that you will want these pictures to remember all the aspects of the day. I actually got into photography because we lost our professional photographer shortly before our wedding (there a completely understandable reason behind her having to back down!). We didn't have time to arrange another one, so instead we invested in our own camera equiptment. But even then I took two classes in photography and one in editing before our wedding. Without those classes I would've screwed up my own photography.

It's not just a camera that you point and click. There's an art that goes into it, and not everyone knows how to properly edit photos. I am still learning new techniques every single day and growing. It's an ongoing process, and that's why photogs are so expensive.

I am not a wedding photographer but I would not even consider asking a friend of the family to take my wedding photographs. This is your only remembrance of your wedding day and to cut back on this elemenet is in my humble opinion a very big mistake. My daughter got married 11 years ago when video was just entering the scene and my husband would not agree to pay $750 for a wedding video so we had several family members taking video. We do not have one complete video of the ceremony! This is not an area for amateurs. Cut your costs on food or liquor and be sure you have a wonderful remembrance of your wedding.

Photography is one of the most important aspects of your wedding because your photos will bring you back to that day over and over again. As someone mentioned in another reply, you're paying for the photographer's expertise. Expertise isn't just a photograher's experience in years or their technical know-how, it's also their ability to make you feel comfortable for posed shots and to remain unobtrusive when the time is right for capturing emotional, candid shots. In general, a family friend or the budget photographer will not provide you with this expertise. My advise, don't skimp on the photography budget...or you'll regret it 10 years from now. With digital, many photographers now offer high-resolution files with images that have been post processed and touched-up in the computer, then you get the prints done yourself as many times as you want...just don't go to places like walmart or walgreens with those files or they will not be of quality you deserve.

Hi and Congratulations!! I think your photographs is probably one of the most important part of your wedding!!! there are moments that you'll never get back, and that is why it's good tohave a professional photographer to do that for you!! And I think it's terrible to print your wedding pictures at Walmart!! you need photo paper with high grade qualitiy that will last you forever. Good luck;0)

Being a pro myself I thought I should say a few words about this as well... I pretty much agree with every statement made by all the others... not everyone on earth has a $10,000 + wedding budget that being said how important are photos to you... if they are #1 on your list hire a professional even if you can find someone for $500 - $1000. If you don't really care then go for the $300, but be prepared that this could ruin a friendship. Is this person also a guest to your wedding? A lot of times if they are also a guest they won't be concentrating on the work at hand and you won't end up with a lot of photos. Also if they are not trained on how to handle light, exposure, poses etc. you might end up with some horrible photos. Which I know you will bot be able to get over thus ruining a friendship... this coming from a couple who I photographed on New Year's Eve at their 20th wedding anniversary. Their biggest regret was that they never had professional photos taken 20 years ago!

What you should pay for your wedding photos depends greatly on the value you place on them, and what you expect them to be. Some people just think any photo is fine and really don't care as long as all the people they want in it have their eyes open and aren't picking their teeth. Some people view it as art and are extremely interested in the style of a particular photographer (and we're all different).

What do YOU want your photos to be like? Take a look at different wedding photographer's sites, regardless of their prices. See what catches your eye. If you really don't care what your photos look like, go ahead and let your friend/roommate/Uncle Frank take photos with his instamatic! If you decide you want your wedding photos to look a certain way, interview photographers who shoot in that style and expect to pay them for their creativity, expertise, and expenses.

If you want to know what photography cost in YOUR area, visit www.costofweddings.com and put in your zip code. This is information from what real brides and grooms have paid.

Hope this helps,

Mindy

I would recommend having a professional photographing your wedding. Your rings and your photos are the most valuable investments because they are the longest lasting.

An average wedding photographer is around $3,000. Many photographers offer a c.d. of the images and the copyrights to print them along with their packages.

I am not a photographer but have worked with them for over 21 years...please do yourself a favor and hire a professional...there are sooo many couples out there that let "there friend with a nice digital camera" that shot the their weddings and live to regret it. Pros know light, posing and how to capture the moment at the right moment...it's not about having a "good" camera, it is about knowing what to do and what to look for...REALLY!!

Its simply a gamble, your family friend may be really good and maybe not and also it depends on your expectations. walmart prints are a waste of money. use a reputable company like mpix or buy your own printer for quick prints.

Just because someone has a nice camera doesn't necessarily mean the pictures will come out nice. Photography is about light and if you don't understand that, your pictures will look crappy no matter how expensive your gear is.

Some people charge a lot and are no good. Some people charge little because they don't know how good they are. Which one is your friend?

Photography, although an art, is also a business and successful photographers will be artistic and know what's going on in the business end of things as well.

Check out some of my work: www.inkuphotoblog.com

I'd be really careful in booking the person just because they have a good camera. Just because they have a good camera doesn't mean they can handle the fast paced challenges of a wedding. There are so many different lighting scenarios and if they have no experience they may likely miss those moments and/or the photos will be blurry or too dark. You don't want to risk the most important day of your life and have poor photo memories.

I'd look at someones body of work and ask to see a FULL wedding from getting ready, details, ceremony, to reception as to see how they can handle the various lighting. Ceremony and Reception can be really hard as it's often really dark and if the photog doesn't have off camera flash you'll have harsh shadows and dull looking photos.

And walmart... gasp.. don't do it. The NEVER check their levels on the printing machines meaning your photos will be green, orange, etc. Spend the .20 cents more and go to mpix or a local photography printer!!

Stacy

In the land of "good enough" there would be no Shakespeare, only Sidney Sheldon. There would be no James Cameron or Ernest Lubitch, only Ed Wood. No Ferrari, just Yugo. No Beatles, just Muzak.No Karsh, merely the Walmart studio. No Dior, just K Mart styles. Good enough is better than nothing, but to be good is not enough when you strive to be excellent.

I am not saying everyone should go totally out of budget to hire someone to photograph your wedding day. Rather, find someone's with the styles suits your taste and plan proper budget. After all, photos and videos are the only things helps you remember from such important date.

I was a bride in 2007 and it is my BIGGEST REGRET that I did not hire a pro on my wedding. The pix from hobby frds are OK, but definitely not what I've envisioned. This was also the reason why I started wedding photo biz to capture brides the most possible beautiful flattering way. Pro-photogs invested a long time learning make the bride to look good.

If your "friend" is not a photographer or does not even do hobby photography, then $300 is outrageous. any friend would do this for a free meal and do as good of a job.

if your friend does this by hobby, make sure he/she has a portfolio, either on flickr or maybe a notebook. then i think $300 is reasonable.