I am looking for ideas for getting wedding photography that doesn't cost an absolute fortune. I don't have any friends who are good photographers and I would really like to have professional posed picture done as well as the usual candids you get when you put the little disposable cameras on the tables.
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
Someone gave me this tip -- go to a photo studio and have a posed picture done in your wedding wear. This way, you will have some nice poses to hang on the wall, without a lot of money spent on having the photographer come to the event. For the candid pictures, place disposable cameras around and have your relatives take the pictures.
Is there a place that teaches photography in your area? Maybe one of their better students would enjoy the experience for their portfolio. Good Luck.
Wedding pictures are too important to leave to someone who has no experience. If you don't have much money, call around and get one of the most inexpensive but experienced, professional wedding photographers.
I couldn't afford a professional at my Daughter's wedding but I had a nephew and his wife who had a good camera and they knew a lot about good photography.They agreed to do it,and about a week before the wedding a friend of my Daughter called and asked if a girl she went to college with could do the wedding for the experience as she was opening up a studio and wanted their photos to advertise on her website-no obligation to buy and no fees.She had several really good pictures but other than the special effects ones,Jeff and Thea's pictures were every bit as good.We had doubles made and enlarged some and I wouldn't reccommend hiring a professional if you have a friend or family member who can do a good job.Make a list of shots you want and do a trial run.Professional photography is just one added expense that can be avoided.The money saved can go towards something else you need worse.
Try your local college or school of art, see if they have a photography student who might like to try their hand at wedding photography. You know starving students, money is money and they probably will charge a very reasonable fee if you throw in a meal for them.
Just a suggestion, make a list of all the MUST HAVE
photos you want and have them taken first off. Remember even a poorly set up photo can be made to look amazing at one of those Kodak photo centres I cant remember what they are called, however, they are in Walmart and drug stores etc.
I have used them to do lots of photo projects. Cropping the pictures to create some really great photographs.
All the Best to you and yours. Good Luck!
how about contacting students or teenagers at school in the 16 - 21 age bracket studying photography, im sure they would do so for a small fee
I did my girlfriend's wedding, and it was quite a task. I got a book on it, and discovered that there are two styles of wedding photog, one that tries to journal the whole day, and the other that does the posed group and couple photos. The second is much easier. I did both at once! I got some touching sweet moment pictures that were well worth the hours of effort.
If you're absolutely set on having a professional, ask for a junior photographer instead of a senior. The cost is typically discounted significantly and they know nearly as much about photography. Especially if you have some idea of the photos you want to take - they will have less suggestions due to less experience.
If you're going to have multiple photographers, ask for only one senior and the rest interns. The pictures will turn out nearly as good and you will pay less than a quarter then if you have all seniors or juniors.
Also, if you can, ask for the rights to your photos. If you can afford to pay for them upfront you will save money on printing/copying them later.
What else can I add? The best advice I can give you is to have a clear idea of exactly what you want, and let them know in advance about them and that you expect the photos to be set up well. Otherwise, the person may not look at the list of photos until the day of.
Photography is always going to be a very expensive part of your wedding. You may have to cut back in another area if you don't have a friend or relative who would do it for you.
I would check with a local high school (yearbook staff) to see if they have someone who would be good for this. If it is in a small town and there is a small local newspaper, check to see if any of the staff photographers would be interested.
Where I live, the photographers are super expensive too. 99% start in the $2000 range =( not including tax. I found one I liked & told him my limitations, he said that what several brides did was pay him just by the hour ($200/hr him & his wife taking photos) then bought the photo CD of every picture ($375, all very large JPEGs). He gives complete freedom to the owner of the CD to do whatever they want with the images on the CD.
My aunt who has lots of photo experience but can't come to the wedding is going to help me design a professional album afterwards at cost. (Which I verified with the chosen photographer is completely okay.) My art school sister is going to take "engagement" photos of my fiancee & I'll buy a great frame super cheap at the thrift store to put it in.
Don't be lured by fancy packages offering framed bridal portraits/engagement photos if you can do them yourself. If you only want the 'formals' & ceremony, that can usually be done in 1-2 hours. In summary, many 'packages' are highly modifiable just ask them to take out the extras.
Where I live, the photographers are super expensive too. 99% start in the $2000 range =( not including tax. I found one I liked & told him my limitations, he said that what several brides did was pay him just by the hour ($200/hr him & his wife taking photos) then bought the photo CD of every picture ($375, all very large JPEGs). He gives complete freedom to the owner of the CD to do whatever they want with the images on the CD.
My aunt who has lots of photo experience but can't come to the wedding is going to help me design a professional album afterwards at cost. (Which I verified with the chosen photographer is completely okay.) My art school sister is going to take "engagement" photos of my fiancee & I'll buy a great frame super cheap at the thrift store to put it in. Plus most photographers offer free web hosting so you can still send friends/relatives to the website & they can see all your pictures & order their few favorite shots directly. A win/win situation.
Don't be lured by fancy packages offering framed bridal portraits/engagement photos if you can do them yourself. If you only want the 'formals' & ceremony, that can usually be done in 1-2 hours.
In summary, many 'packages' are highly modifiable just ask them to take out the extras.
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
