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Dedicated October 2021

No photographer?

Dizzy, on September 24, 2021 at 11:02 AM Posted in Planning 0 10

So yesterday our photographer emails me and says she has a family emergency and has to move out of state, she is cancelling all up and coming gigs. This super sucks for her but also sad for us. She sent back our deposit.

Our whole wedding budget is $5k and it took me 4+ months to find someone who could remotely work within our budget. We have less than a month to go now. "Budget" priced photographers here seem to charge $2k...average ones closer to $3k.

Early in our planning I had "booked" 2 different acquaintances both of whom bailed, so I really don't know who to ask. I'm not really tied to photos. My fiance thought originally not to have a photographer just get a friend but it became apparent that he really wanted a few good shots, and in general I know he appreciates nice photography. Once we actually found someone who would work with us I surprised myself by feeling relieved and happy to have it. I am doing everything else for the wedding...cooking...made wine...DIY decor...arranging the flowers...getting my band to play and overall just planning everything. It just seemed nice to have. I honestly don't know I have any more energy to look again for someone and I'm in the middle of high work season for both of my careers right up to the wedding.

Has anyone gone without a photographer and any tips?

10 Comments

Latest activity by Dizzy, on September 29, 2021 at 2:24 PM
  • Sarah
    Master September 2019
    Sarah ·
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    I know you said you don’t want to keep looking, and if photos don’t matter to you that’s ok, but I would caution you that you might feel differently when you want to look back on the day 5, 10, 20 years down the road.


    If you did still want a photographer, I would reach out to local colleges that have a photography program and maybe search Facebook or Instagram for up and coming photographers in your area who usually act as a second shooter- usually they’ll charge a lot less.
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  • S
    Super September 2022
    Sarah ·
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    My cousin did not have a professional photographer and just had her SIL take them with a nice camera. You can tell they aren't professional, but some are still definitely good enough to be framed and hung up in the house! If professional photos aren't a priority for you guys, then maybe go this route and find a close friend/family member with a nice camera. Even the newer iphones can take some great pictures!

    You could always hire a professional after the wedding to just take couple portraits of you 2. Maybe as an anniversary thing you guys could get dressed up again and then you'd have some professional photos for much less. That might be fun and would give you an excuse to wear your dress again!

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  • Givemeallthepups
    Expert February 2020
    Givemeallthepups ·
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    I would also ask your previous photographer if she has any recommendations
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  • I_Do_Too
    Devoted September 2020
    I_Do_Too ·
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    Check Thumbtack
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  • Gina
    Dedicated May 2022
    Gina ·
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    This happened to a friend of mine days before her wedding. My fiancé has a nice camera and took photos and they turned out great. It's all in what you make it. Sometimes I think we put to much emphasis on these things. Its about the experience and your marriage. Not the money and the way it all looks for others.

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  • Fiona
    Super May 2024
    Fiona ·
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    We had no wedding photographer. We had friends take photos with their phones and give us copies on CD's after the wedding. On our wedding tables we had some disposable cameras that we got the guests to take photos. They all worked out well and we have great photos from our wedding. It's such a big expense and we did fine without it Smiley smile.

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  • Mrs.a
    Master October 2021
    Mrs.a ·
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    The above suggestions sound brilliant 👌
    No photographer? 1
    And please actually read this including the bullet points:

    https://zoelarkin.com/why-do-wedding-photographers-charge-so-much/
    • Reply
  • Nichole
    Expert September 2022
    Nichole ·
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    As someone else said look into local collages but you could also check and see if theres any photography clubs in your area. Im having a friend of a friend who is in a photography club do our photographs. I have followed her and few other members of their club on facebook for a while and the pictures she shares on fb are absolutely stunning. She has taken my favorite picture of my dog that I have and shes only charging me $500. Sorry to hear your original photographer had to bail.
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  • D
    Dedicated October 2021
    Dizzy ·
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    We ended up finding someone who would work with our budget, he was filling a cancellation. I put the word out on a bunch of forums. Thanks all.

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  • D
    Dedicated October 2021
    Dizzy ·
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    I hear that but we simply did not have the money for going rate in our area (NJ outside Philly). Our entire budget for 100+ people (now likely 75 but still) is $5k. We only want a few shots, we basically just want the ceremony and a few pics, after, we're not looking for 8 hours plus second shooters and couple hundred photos. I totally understand wedding pricing since I play music at weddings and we are so often offered low pay. I'm also self-employed in my day job, I get it.

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