anyone hire an amature photographer?

I think you'll find countless times where a bride has chosen to go for an amateur to shoot their wedding and completely regretted it later on. wedding photography is a different animal than any other type of photography, as you MUST be a jack(AND master)-of-all trades- portrait, action, photojournalism, macro, architecture/landscape.. etc. many don't consider the many other aspects to why wedding photographers charge so much. it's not only the shooting time, but also culling/editing time, transportation, insurance (IMPORTANT), pro equipment made for difficult lighting conditions.. it all really adds up.

that said, every wedding photographer started somewhere, and you'd probably be better off finding someone who has actually shot weddings previously, even as a second-shooter over someone who has just taken a few photos of pets/people without the pressure of running around and getting those MUST-HAVE shots. good luck with your search!!

I would see if you could sign a professional with a smaller package deal for a shorter amount of time. See if you could get 4 hrs. Have them do pictures before the ceremony, ceremony, and group shots after the ceremony. You can do your 1st dance and cake cutting (real or staged) before dinner and then send them home. You can have the non-professionals take over then. Have them get shots of everyone getting crazy on the dance floor and the bouquet toss.

The Bride and Groom shots that a professional can take will be amazing. THOSE are what you will want to hang up in your home. I would see where you can cut your budget to try to get more money to pay a professional for a few hours. *An amateur will not be able to get these shots.

Use the friend-family-co-worker for e-pics. Those can be redone if they don't turn out. You can never get that First Look shot again, and a Professional will have the right equipment, knowledge, and experience to capture it.

Reasons Not to hire a friend/family member/co-worker

WW-Bride Wedding disasters

a few posts from the past, because I don't know if they are all still on here to share their stories again...

www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/this-is-why-you-hire-professional/8115ce91f866e98d.html

www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/went-to-wedding-last-night-bridezilla-pass-needed/81dcdae2197d8818.html

www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/advice-to-the-you-please-read/9040a3a833c1ba08.html

www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/in-case-you-were-thinking-of-hiring-friend/45bd5520b2fd23e7.html

www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/if-had-to-do-it-over-again/ec6c47a6687aaf22.html

~good luck with whatever you choose~

This is not meant to be snarky, but would a pro photographer even entertain the idea of only doing a few hours during wedding season? I ask because I've heard some photographers hold prime dates for couples willing to pay the most. Would someone really take her offer to do ceremony only for $300 on a Saturday in May?

Miss Tattoo, the answer is yes, we would. While there may be some photographers like you mention, there are just as many of us that would definitely shoot for a few hours. With that said, $300 would not cover a few hours for many pro photographers.

It is sad the number of wedding photography horror stories I hear from people because they chose to use an Uncle, a friend with a good camera that takes good photos, or a great deal from Craig's List. I hear these stories at football practice (when the other parents find out I'm a wedding photographer). I hear them when people call me asking if I can "fix" their photos...which sadly many are not fixable. I hear them from bridesmaids and guests that didn't hire a pro and see their friend's sneak peeks on my blog. The percentage of getting horrible shots of your once-in-a-lifetime wedding is very high when hiring an inexperienced individual that is not a professional.

We are going cheap, since our budget is so low. So, ammature is for us!

I am an ammature photographer and I have been given great reviews. I would take the $300 offer in May on a Saturday IN A HEARTBEAT. I normally do my photo shoots for free so I can get practice in...like I do right now for my cosmetology practice. Free. I for one need that kind of money right now.

I did 2x and it was a disaster 2x. I learned my lesson the hard way. You can't get that day back.

A real pro is not going to do a couple hours for 300 bucks during May. They might do a couple of hours, but not at 300 bucks.

Do the math; 3 people for 6 hours is 18 hours. That is 17 bucks an hour without any cost for film, editing afterwards (which will take another bunch of hours)......

We are all telling you not to do it. Don't do it.

As a pro photographer, I choose to not charge as high as everyone else in my area... but for me, one hour of shooting (by myself) equals 2-3 hours of editing, which racks up many many hours in the digital darkroom. It would be impossible for myself to work for an extremely low cost. My first wedding, I shot 6 hours for $125.And even that felt wayyy to low.

I am willing to work with budgets though.. For instance, clients can ask for me to limit the amount of photos I take. They can choose to not have a second shooter. Things like that. Typically, I book first come first serve, no matter what package the couple chooses.

If it hadn't been for the people booking me years ago when I was an amatur, I wouldn't have a business today.

Pan X did a good job posting the photos from a family friend - she is right about them having issues. The cat is way out of focus, and is over exposed/blown out (too bright) on one side (there was a shadow), and like she said, the second photograph is way too edited. This may be due to the fact that the original wasn't the best, so the photographer wanted to compensate. Maybe some people would look at those pictures I like them... but IF ONLY there had been a professional photographer by his side taking the SAME picture of the cat, you'd be able to compare. I PROMISE that the difference would blow you away!

If you must go amateur, ask to do an engagement session first, to see how the images turn out, before you commit to the wedding. Compare the images to a pro's images.

If you must hire a non professional, and REALLY think you're good at editing (know photoshop inside and out and understand the truth behind "less is more"), ask for the RAW images (before they are edited).