If you are a friend or client of mine, you are surely aware that I am a strong supporter of quality and sustainability. This is because I frequently hear complaints from couples about the quality of their final images after hiring an amateur wedding photographer or simply not budgeting for a skilled professional.
Let me share with you one of my favorite quotes, as stated in that quote, there are three key factors to achieve massive success in your life:
BUT I’M ON A TIMELINE.
Everyone’s budget is different, and I’m not arguing that those who can’t afford a professional or higher-priced wedding photographer are doing something wrong. Far from it! As a former bride, I absolutely understand what it’s like to have a limited budget for photography and a wedding in and of itself. I also appreciate that all photographers start somewhere, but there are drawbacks to that. I will emphasise that, in most cases, you get what you pay for. I feel it is critical to save over time and budget for a professional so that you can remember your day joyously for many years to come! You can spend a little or a lot (tens of thousands of dollars) on your wedding day, but your images will be the only tangible remembrance of the occasion.
When hiring a wedding photographer on a budget, there are many factors to consider, but here are some of the most crucial.
EXPECTED COSTS
The majority of individuals are unaware of the average cost of wedding photography in their city. The minimum fee for a professional, seasoned wedding photographer in most large metropolitan regions is roughly $3500. This varies greatly between locations and photographers. Are you surprised by the price? Continue reading to find out why.
QUALITY QUALITY QUALITY
Again, most couples have a photography budget. However, it is easy to feel overwhelmed when looking at too many photographers with widely disparate approaches. Art is highly subjective, but some individuals confuse style with quality. How does the lighting look? What do other former customers have to say? What is the photographer’s track record? Is their website slick and polished? It might be tough to compare photographers merely on pricing because each photographer provides a unique service. Consider what factors contribute to that cost. Examine two portfolios side by side and evaluate all of the above factors, including the work itself.
This is Liquid Fancy heading element
NOT ONLY ONE DAY’S WORK
The Village Voice has a story about Pablo Picasso:
There’s an interesting story regarding Pablo Picasso. Picasso was approached by a man who offered to pay him to draw a picture on a napkin. Picasso drew a pen and drew a sketch, then handed it to the man and said, “One million dollars, please.”
“A million dollars?” cried the man. “You only took thirty seconds!”
“Yes,” Picasso replied. “However, it took me fifty years to figure out how to draw it in thirty seconds.”
Your wedding photography experience does not begin and stop with a photographer frantically snapping images on your wedding day. The first is our extensive experience and training. We must first speak with you. Typically, we have a consultation, phone conversations, meetings, on-site meetings, planning sessions, paperwork, and a variety of other activities prior to your wedding day. After the wedding, the majority of our labour is in editing, which includes filtering photographs, selecting the best ones, and editing, which includes skin retouching. Depending on the scale, some weddings can require 2-4 weeks of full-time editing. Following that, we have album design, packaging, and shipping expenses to consider. There are also the extra expenditures associated with managing a small business, such as equipment depreciation, insurance, and other administrative responsibilities. There’s a lot more, but I’ll save it for another time.
WHAT YOU PAY FOR IS WHAT YOU GET – THE COST OF HIRING AN AMATEUR OR “CHEAP” PHOTOGRAPHER
Here are some stories of folks that hired cheap wedding photographers (all identities have been changed).
Amanda:
” Nothing was changed, I have 0 FAMILY images, I have NO photos with my parents, grandparents, and siblings on my wedding day, I have no idea what we were thinking. I repeat my experience to every couple I marry who does not hire a professional photographer… I’m hoping they’ll reconsider!”
Julia:
“We had the very worst experience!! I would never wish for anyone to go through what we went through..”
Carol:
“We chose to ‘save’ money by letting a handful of family members who take ‘really beautiful’ pictures document our wedding… needless to say, I am currently in therapy for that idiotic decision… greatest mistake I have ever made!!! There are no particular images with the people I care about….”
Megan: “I got a couple hundred images, none of which were of my sisters or my ailing grandmother, and just two of which were of my mother.” I didn’t get any with only both sides of my parents. And the picture booth was $400 and didn’t operate!! It yielded 33 photographs for us. My visitors kept wondering why it wasn’t working all night.”
That is only a small sample.
However, rather than simply looking for the lowest price, it is critical to compare and do your research. After all, you want to grin as you recall your wedding day through your images for many years to come.
If you have any questions about planning your wedding photography experience, please leave them in the comments section below or send me an email at [email protected]. I would be delighted to speak with you.
Good luck with your planning!
