photography

Photography takes a lot of talent and skill. It's not just about holding a camera and taking a photo. They pose people, work with different lighting and angles, find the exact perfect moment to snap a photo, edit those photos, the list goes on and on. Sure "any idiot" could take a picture, but it's not necessarily going to be a quality one. Your relatives can and probably will take pictures, but do you really trust them to get professional quality photos with their iPhone and to catch every moment that you want to remember? Do you trust that your other 20 relatives who decide to take pictures, won't be in the way of that perfect shot? Keep in mind, your family and friends are there to enjoy the moments with you, not to make sure your wedding is photographed properly.

Photography was one of our top 3 priorities. Long after the decor is taken down, the flowers are wilted, and my dress is tucked in the closet, what will we have to show for our wedding day? As a bride, you miss so much of the day that you spend months or years planning. You may not see your venue before your guests arrive and start moving things around, you won't see your FH's face as he anticipates you coming down the aisle, you won't witness every laugh or special moment between your two families coming together. And even the things you do get to witness, those moments are fleeting. It's extremely important for us to have a professional there to capture not only the big moments like our vows or first dance, but also the small, meaningful moments, like my mom zipping my dress or my FW twirling our niece around the dance floor. Those moments might not be a big deal to a random witness, but a photographer knows how meaningful they are. I also think it's important to have those photos for our future children, grandchildren, etc. This is likely the only time we'll have ALL of our nearest and dearest in the same room.

Wow. I think you might rethink that decision.

Do you have an uncle who sings in the shower? You could have him provide the entertainment, too. Lol.

Obviously, I'm making a little joke, but there really are reasons to hire trained professionals (doctors, lawyers, entertainers, artists....photographers *are* artists)

Have you seen the pixel commercial overlaid with the song, "Let me try again"? It illustrates well how great people are at capturing 'moments'.

And then there's the editing which takes a lot of time.

However, everyone has their priorities, and if you would be perfectly happy with pictures like those in the Pixel commercial, you do you.

I’m with the ladies here, a phenomenal photographer was one of my top three, must haves. Not only do I want the traditional posed photos, I also wanted those non-posed, photo journalistic moments as well.

Good luck with your decision, wedding planning and budgeting is difficult but hopefully it works out for you! 😊

I'm sure the professional ww photographers on here would be so offended by your description of their work.
If you don't care about the quality of the picture then you probably don't need one. If you're expecting people to capture and share photos with you, you should deignate someone in your family to do that.
But as you said and you can see in the BAMs photographers set up shots lighting. Ours were about to capture those candid moments where there is a nod, or a quick smile. Photography is an art and they're able to frame shots so that you have a photo you can hang on the wall instead of snapshots.
Our venue was very dark and had complicated lighting and we splurged a vit on the photographer. We actually had two. They did an amazing job. At night time we tried to get pictures outside with the city lights in the background. The cellphone shots were blurry, captured either the city or the people not both. Our photographers were able to get it all.

Im not a photographer in any stretch. Ill take a picture and have to take 3 and I'm usually eh at the end of it. You want that one person who can see what's going on and capture that moment for future viewing then look for a professional.

View Quoted Comment That's a wonderful analogy!

We are paying 1000 for 6 hrs, which I'm completely ok with. I want all these memories captured. I dont want any guests to be assigned to taking the photos because I care about the quality and 2 they shouldn't have to work at the wedding.
If you dont care about the quality of the photos. because it is pretty obvious by looking at photos if an amateur did them. And you have someone who really doesnt mind doing them then you do you. But theres a big difference if a professional and someone snapping photos with their phone.

Oh no Alyssa! I believe you will regret that decision very quickly and for the rest of your marriage. Everyone I know that recruited friends and family to supply wedding photos is very sorry they did that. My mother in law has no photos at all, my bestie has photos, but they are not great and her wedding was absolutely stunning. I think in the long run it’s the best money that you spend on a wedding because it last forever. I implore you to rethink your decision. Good luck either way.

My sister did what you're considering for her famcy vow renewal. She even placed disposable cameras at the reception hall. No one (except 1-2 people) took photos after and was really dospleased with the photos people did take - despite the fact that those people were now not enjoying the party so she could have pictures. Even first dance photos were subpar. All those flashes going off interrupted each others photos. She was really disappointed with her guests for not being photographers the day of...

I certainly don't suggest dropping 4k on a photographer. For myself, my best friend (who is a photographer) said my sweet spot is 1-2k max. I'll only need them for about 4 hours total.

View Quoted Comment This. You pay professionals to do a professional job. Photography is art and takes skill. If you don’t value it that’s fine, save the expense. But I think you know there’s a difference between the photo Uncle Bob takes on his iPad and the photo of a pro.

For me a photographer was a necessity. I’ve taken thousands of photos with my iPhone and hundreds of photos with other cameras and none of them look as good as my 121 pro engagement photos. The lighting, the angles, the editing, the timing make everything. And I want my wedding day moments to be captured bc I am spending thousands of dollars for one day and I’ll forget the little details and I’ll miss stuff. If I had to choose, I would pick a photographer over a florist or dj, that’s how important it is to me.

FH felt the same way until we met with out photographer after a long line of not great photos, he finally saw what good photography lopls like. Do what you want but trust there is a difference.

I had to show my FH a few comparison pics to help him understand why hiring a photographer was important. I agree the costs can get high but try to find someone reasonable, even if you just have them to take pics for ceremony I think that’ll be better than not hiring someone at all. You might find someone who charges hourly. Our photographer has a 3 hour package for $500 or $100/hr if you don’t want a package.

Yes lots of people are capable of using a camera...but professional photographers go so far beyond just using it. Do regular photo takers understand all of the in depth tools cameras offer? Do you want blurry photos?
Theres just so much quality between a hobby shooter and a pro. They're better at making folks more at ease during pictures as well.
Photographer was honestly my biggest thing, over venue.

BAD picture!

Good Picture!!!

well, do you think you'll even once want to look at your wedding photos and be happy? If so, hire a professional. And not just any professional, one you vet. And for the love of all that's holy in this world, don't share the feelings you have shared here about photography with them...

The difference between good and bad photos is HUGE. I had hired a very well regarded studio for my engagement and wedding photos and was matched with a photographer who I met with, reviewed his portfolio, and thought I would be happy with. Then I got my engagement photos. And cried. FH and I looked like we hated each other. We are stiff and over-posed, the lighting is bad, the composition is amateur.

The studio worked to match us with a new photographer and the difference is night and day, even between professionals, as you can see above.

Are we spending (what I consider) a lot on photos? Heck yes. Is it worth it to be able to look back at my day in a way that won't make me weep? Yep.

Adding - We are ALSO using the Guest app to get guest photos too! but in no universe would those take the place of professional photos. Guests will be drinking and absorbed with their own fun... and if they miss something you want a photo of you can't go back and re-do that moment.

Oh plus I was going to say the low resolution prints badly so if you want any kind of album/hanging pictures you’ll want the high resolution

I feel the same way about flowers HOWEVER I would never discredit a florists’ ability or talent. Pictures capture moments the normal eye wouldn’t see. It’s an everlasting expression of emotions. You do what u your FH and your budget feel is best, but please don’t overlook the need to capture all the love your day will hold.

I too was surprised with how much a photographer was and had not put much in the budget for it, but when I started looking around at some of the portfolio's of photographers, I quickly changed my mind. If you find the right photographer they will not only make you look like a million bucks, but some of them are pure artists capturing the emotion in a way that someone who just picks up a camera and snaps a picture would not be able to do. My photographer is a GENIUS, his portfolio is absolutely gorgeous, so I went from having a budget of $1000 to stretching it to $2000 for five hours worth of photos. I should also share that neither of us like having our photos taken AT ALL! Lol! However, it will be great to have beautiful pictures that capture all of the details that we miss in the midst of all of the wedding day craziness. At the end of the day, you have to do what is best for you. If photos are not important than don't do it, we all just do not want you to regret it years later.

My parents eloped and we’re happy to do so.
They went to the courthouse with 2 friends as witnesses. They have 4, blurry pictures from before their wedding. None of them exchanging vows none of her getting dressed, none of their first kiss.
33 years later and she still voices her regret of not having pictures of her wedding.
Her regret, and my desire to have gorgeous photos, pushed to have photography at the top of my list. According the the budget in here I shouldn’t have spent more than 1200 which I could have found a photographer for that, but it would have been a good quality. I found one for 2000 which was discounted since were getting married in January. He was the 2nd vendor I booked, right after the venue.

View Quoted Comment Such a great post! 👍

There’s no way I’d spend so much time & money on my wedding and NOT get a really good photographer. Like other people said, it’s the quality of photos—angles, lighting, poses & candid shots. Even if you don’t care, your family & children might love to have good wedding photos of you AND the friends/family who will some day pass on.

To save money, skip getting ready photos. Bare minimum, I’d hire a pro for 2 hours... 30 min first look, 30 ceremony, 30 family pics, 30 reception entrance, guests & decor.