How to Get Wedding Photos on a Bare-Bones Budget
All brides want that one photograph that perfectly captures the wedding day. But to get it, you have to hire a skilled photographer — a cost which unfortunately usually runs into the thousands. Here are some tips to cropping your photography budget down to size:
1. Post an ad in the art department at a local college or university for a photographer. You'd be surprised at the talent and skill available — and for a lot less. Just be prepared to assemble your album from the developed photos.
2. Lose the prints and go digital. Many photographers now offer this as an option; instead of getting proofs/prints you can get your 'photos' on CD. Then check out an online photo editor/developer like Shutterfly for printed photos. (Shutterfly even offers the first 15 prints free for signing up — so you can try it risk free.)
3. Make your own wedding album. Depending on your photographer and the number of photo taken you can save hundreds (or more) by putting together your own album.
4. Slash the number of hours your photographer's on call. For example, instead of having the photographer follow you around while you're running to the salon to get your hair done, have your bridesmaids snap those photos.
5. Forego the photographer entirely and provide disposable cameras for your guests ... or better yet, ask them to bring along their digital cameras. You'll get a greater variety of pictures, since guests will be sure to take some photos of each other — and not just the bride and groom. (Trust me, this is a good thing. You'll get tired of sorting through hundreds of pictures of yourself that all look the same.) But if your reception lighting's going to be low, you'll probably want a backup option. Time to call that college!
Just a personal opinion….altho pictures arent the main focus of your wedding. They do help to relive that moment as we all get older and our memory may fade….and sometimes a photo will take you back to a special place, or show you something you may have forgotten on this special day.
Well, I find this article extremely helpful. I am planning my second marriage and trying to find ways to fit photography in my extremely tight budget. Having my friends and family there (paying for the reception/food) is more important a splurge than the photos but I do want some good shots to remember. Yes, you will have the memories and the years of happiness the marriage will bring.. but the pictures capture a moment where you are both happy and young and beautiful.. Of course my family members or friends can capture those moments for me cheaply on their own cameras or a few disposibles I may provide. And a student who doesnt have the experience or business.. but the talent can do a great job as well.
Oh and though I dont diminish the work of some photographers put into the work. And I thank you all if the couple can afford that. The pics are very great.
But I did get that on my first marriage. I got the album we never looked at and the photos we paid EXTREME prices for sat on walls hardly noticed… Oh and I have the memories of my photographer groaning inappropriately and snapping cleavage shots I really didnt need. Oh and the candid shots… I told him I didnt want many because I hate candid shots… but guess what the book is filled with.. candid shots.
So for me… I will save my $600-$2500 and go the budget way by finding a non professional that will capture an moment.
*rolls eyes* Photos are are pieces of paper that do not actually last forever. My parents, my grandparents and my aunt and uncle do not have photos from their weddings anymore because they burnt in house fires.
It was 54 years ago but my grandmother still remembers the look on my grandfathers face when she was walking down the aisle.
I think it’s fascinating that some of you are insisting that the only concrete and lasting memory of a couple’s wedding is the photos… I think you are forgetting the most obvious of all: their marriage! I am looking forward to my wedding day and while I’m excited about the professional photos, I can’t wait to see the photos the guests and my fiance and I take ourselves!
Why would you encourage bride’s to skimp out on the only memories from their wedding day that will last forever…the photographs. As a professional, let me tell you that the work we put into a wedding is beyond your grasp. Our work is not even close to being done after we leave the ceremony…it continues into hours and hours of editing..I’m talking 40-60 hours! I sincerely hope there aren’t any professional photographers advertising on this website..I’d hate to know I was advertising on a site that is informing brides how to ruin their wedding memories…very ill informed advice here!
This is true of any of the wedding disciplines – and all of them could make the same case (sans the memories). The question, it seems to me, is what is important to the couple. Some may actually value some other aspect of the wedding over the photography. It should be the couple’s choice and they should know both how to save money on this and every step of the wedding planning process and what the risks are.
Of all things to skimp on —— your photos are all you have to look back on from your wedding day and should be treated as a priceless treasure.
All the planning, little touches, the perfect dress, etc. that’s all over with in a manner of hours. I still enjoy looking at my wedding album nearly 30 years later and my grandchildren enjoy it. If I had not had a professional shoot my wedding and had snapshots printed out just any old place who knows if they would have stood the test of time?
I, for one, would suggest finding other ways to cut the budget.
Thanks for letting me share my opinion.
On budget. Craigslist is very good place. There,you can find some affordable photographers. I do photogrpaphy for a living and my personal opinion is not to use college photographers.
I tried to get some assistants for myself,out of local universities and colleges. Unfortunately none of them were good enough. I don’t know what they teach,but after 2-3 years,many of them are not as good as amateurs,found in craigslist or local art clubs. Maybe it’s true that photography is an art and if you don’t have a talent,you will never learn it
Dmitri