Cheap Wedding Fridays: Wedding Photography
Friday January 2, 2009
I've already given you one cheap wedding tip on how to save money on your wedding photography. But here's one I like even more. If you've got a wedding photographer that you just love, but whose fee is considerably more than you've budgeted, ask them about a "Day After Session." Though the name implies that it takes place immediately the day after your wedding, it's actually seldom the case. It's just a weekday, either before or after the wedding, that you and your spouse-to-be dress up in your wedding finery and have an extra photo session. When I considered this as a cost-saving option at my wedding, a "day after session" was only about 20% of their regular wedding rate.
But how does this extra session save you money? Since you know you'll have great portraits, you can use a budget photographer for the day of the wedding. Keep in mind that you'll have the extra expense of doing your hair and makeup, as well as the possibility of needing to get your dress and/or tuxedo cleaned. But it can be a great way to get some excellent photography at a budget price.
But how does this extra session save you money? Since you know you'll have great portraits, you can use a budget photographer for the day of the wedding. Keep in mind that you'll have the extra expense of doing your hair and makeup, as well as the possibility of needing to get your dress and/or tuxedo cleaned. But it can be a great way to get some excellent photography at a budget price.
Comments
Hello,
I was doing some research and came upon about.com…I have been a sought after wedding photographer for over 10 years. I had to just comment. I know with the times of economy things are tight, especially when it comes to weddings. It makes me cringe to hear the word “cheap”…cheap to me means good enough or paying for something that will not have value. I would hate to have my wedding photography to be known as “cheap”. I would love a see a article done on the value of wedding photography or how to find a photographer who is not your Uncle Joe with a nice camera! I think its because of little words like “cheap” got us in this economic mess in the first place…look how the wedding industry has declined these past years because of brides going “cheap”…
I’ll keep this short, but just consider turning the words of “cheap” to maybe just a word as easy as “simple”…
Heidi K. Miller Photography
http://www.hkmphoto.com
Heidi Miller makes a good point. There is no substitute for experience a professional brings to the assignment. One thing also to remember, a professional has one reason only for being at the wedding; not to enjoy the event(although that is often a nice bonus) or celebrate with the married couple and guests; it is to capture the story of the wedding, the details, and etc. While relying on a friend or family member may be inexpensive it is not usually going to get the whole story with consistently good shots.
Now, some professional’s fees are quite expensive and while they may be able to get what they charge because they market to people that can afford it, there is a huge majority of more moderately priced professionals. Do some comparitive shopping; you’ll be glad you did.
As far as photographers go, consider hiring a freelance photographer. There are a lot of great art school graduates that could be very affordable. You will often get a lot more than just traditional wedding shots.
Good article Nina! Thanks for sharing. Thnx, Ben
I am a wedding planner and I also hate to hear the word cheap. It makes photography seems insignificant. I work with a vast variety of photographers ranging from seasoned to amateur, very expensive to affordable and my comment is this: Do Your Research. If you do not have a wedding planner to do the research for you, then visit different photographers and price them. Look at their work. You may not be able to get photos of you getting ready or have a photographer stay 4-6 hours. You may have to settle for 2 hours. Make the best of those two hours by a brief ceremony, an organized list of must have photos for your photographer, and having all the formalities take place earlier in the reception. Then buy disposable cameras for each guest table .This is your wedding, hopefully your only one and you want to capture it in all its glory with your natural glow, expressions, excitement, smiles, tears,etc, not posed a day or two later. Times are hard but some things are not meant to be CHEAP.