Wedding Photographers: Amateurs Vs. Professionals

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14 August 2010

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The Wedding Photography is probably the most important aspect of the entire day, especially afterwards. That being the case, how much should you pay and how will that affect the quality?

So, you’ve been to a bunch of wedding photography sites and, wow, is it ever confusing. You get the feeling that every Tom, Dick & Harry has {purchased|bought} some gear, put-up a website and is open for business. The pictures often look more than decent as does the website (though it’s most likely a cheap template). And pricing is quite reasonable, going as low as, or lower than, $900 for the entire.

Firstly, don’t become enamored with a seemingly creative wedding photographer solely based on perusing the shots in the Wedding Portfolio on their site. Of course, they will showcase their best work, (ie) a selection from each event. Just remember, including guests, can take a few gems at a wedding, even with a point and shoot. Therefore, to get a proper idea of a photographer’s competence and style you’ll want to see two full weddings. 500 pictures from a single wedding will tell the true story.

Depending on where you live, the average price for an experienced photographer might be approximately $2500 for the day. So, what can you realistically expect from an inexperienced photographer who is quite new in the game and is charging around $1000? Who knows? There are some seriously able flourishing photographers who because they are early into their careers offer amazing value for twhat they provide. But they are in the minority. The best wedding photography is not easy. Experience counts and there are no redoes. It demands developed interpersonal skills (some photographers should only take pictures of objects). It requires an understanding of timing and logistics with respect to the current situation. And while many artistic photographers disparage wedding photography it requires a lot of skill, often on the fly. A Professional Wedding Photographer will also have back-up equipment in case of technical problems. Most amateurs do not, which is scary indeed.

Then again, paying more to a veteran photographer does not necessarily produce great results. In fact, it’s a good idea to do some research. What if they’ve become tired of wedding photography and no longer put in the same effort as in the earlier part of their career? Go on forums and see what former brides are saying about the wedding photographer(s) you want. You won’t believe some alarming and/or crazy stories about photographers doing some outrageously improper and unprofessional things. In short, Cross your T’s and dot your I’s.

Meanwhile, during tricky economic times it’s reasonable to pay less for wedding photography, but remember that all you have post-wedding are the pictures (and possibly video). If price is a big factor you might be better served trimming in other areas.

In conclusion, if you’re a bit of a gambler, you’re on a small budget and you’ve really checked things out, a cheaper photographer may do the trick. Usually though, the axiom, “you get what you pay for”, applies to wedding photography. So, if you can swing it, do plenty of research, get some referrals and pay extra to get a professional. It’ll be worth it.