Wedding Photo Basics Part 1: Hiring a Professional, DIYing It, or Something In Between
The day you officially join your life with your partner is a special one, no matter where you spend it or who you share the moment with. Whether you’re having a private elopement or a 400-person event, the memories of the day you marry your partner are priceless, and photos are one of the best ways to preserve them for years to come. Wedding photography can range from a friend with a phone camera to a team of professionals, and figuring out which one is right for you isn’t always as obvious as you’d think.
In this first part of our two-part series on wedding photography, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of hiring a pro, DIYing your photos, and the inbetween options you may not have considered.
The Pros (and Cons) of a Pro
Hiring a professional photographer has some major benefits. First and most obvious are the skills, experience, and equipment they bring. A good wedding photographer has a camera, lenses, and editing software that will put the average phone camera and editing app to shame, plus the skill to use them. They’ll know how to take pictures in difficult lighting conditions and flawlessly edit out blemishes. All of this, combined with their artistry, can result in magazine-quality photos.
Second, they’ll often take on the role of creative director to make sure you get the best photos possible. They know how to pose people in flattering ways, put nervous subjects at ease, and disappear into the background while capturing the most important moments of your day. If you feel awkward in front of a camera, working with a pro can be hugely helpful. A good photographer will even offer guidance on your wedding day schedule, making sure you’re planning in time for photos and getting the best lighting during the day.
Third, they’re at your wedding for only one reason: taking photos. Unlike a volunteer family member, they’re not trying to take photos while breaking it down on the dance floor. They’re able to be present in a way that a friend or family member might not, and they won’t resent not being able to participate in your day the way a guest will. That said, you should still make sure to provide your photographer (and really all your vendors) a meal just as you would any guest.
At a large wedding, a photographer will catch moments you’ll have missed during the day. Many also offer a second shooter, an additional photographer who can help the primary photographer capture every planned shot and candid moment without getting off schedule. The additional camera can be especially helpful at larger weddings.
Even if you’re having a microwedding or elopement, you still might want to work with a photographer. Not only will they ensure you get the most beautiful photos possible, it will also make sure that the handful of people you’re sharing your moment with are fully present. Some photographers even take on the role of unofficial wedding coordinator, holding bouquets and adjusting veils to make the moment picture-perfect.
Of course, photographers can be expensive. According to The Knot, couples spend an average of $3,000 on a wedding photographer, with prices ranging from $1,500 on the low end to upwards of $4,700 on the high end. Some luxury photographers can charge upwards of $10,000 for their services. Similar to wedding musicians, photographers may charge an additional travel fee if your venue is far away from their home base.
While even the lower-cost wedding photography packages might sound expensive, the price isn’t out of nowhere. In addition to the four to eight hours the photographer is spending at your wedding, they’re also spending dozens of hours on the backend sifting through the thousands of photos they’ve taken and editing the best ones. On top of this, they’ve invested thousands of dollars in equipment, preparation, and the time needed to build their skill and run their business. Some packages will also include engagement photos, wedding albums, or additional planning meetings. Despite the high cost, a good photographer is far from a scam.
Depending on your preferences, hiring a professional is a worthwhile investment. You’ll be looking at your wedding photos for years to come. In some families, wedding photos are kept for generations, and it makes sense: for many people, their wedding is the only time they’ll be professionally photographed, often in the fanciest clothes they’ll ever wear. If there’s anything worth earmarking a notable portion of your wedding budget for, photos are it.
DIYing Your Wedding Photos
Still, not everyone is willing or able to spend thousands on a photographer. You can DIY your photos by recruiting a friend, family member, or wedding party member to snap pictures; or you can ask guests to post wedding photos on their social media with a specific hashtag. Some couples leave disposable cameras out for guests to take pictures during the event. This can produce some great, candid photos during the reception (and is a fun idea even if you are hiring a professional).
The major downside to DIYing is that it’s often a “you get what you pay for” situation. A volunteer photographer can’t necessarily devote the same time to editing your photographs that a professional can, meaning it might take longer to get your photos back. They also may not have the same high-quality equipment or years of experience needed to take great photos in challenging lighting conditions. This isn’t to say that you won’t get amazing pictures, just that you’re less likely to get the same quality or quantity of edited photos as you would with a paid photographer. A few nice photos are usually enough to capture the magic of your wedding day.
Whether you hire a pro or ask your guests to share photos with a special hashtag, you still may want to designate a single person to take photos during your ceremony. If all of your guests are trying to take pictures during the ceremony, your photos are likely to feature a lot of cellphones in addition to the happy couple. We recommend asking your officiant to make an announcement at the beginning of the ceremony, asking guests to refrain from taking photos.
Something Inbetween
If you want professional-quality photos without the price tag, there are a couple of options. The first is to work with a less experienced photographer who’s just getting started as a professional. While they might not have as many examples of their work, their prices are usually lower than those of someone who’s been photographing weddings for a decade. Just keep in mind that they may still be refining their systems or skills, and the experience might not be as seamless as it would be with a seasoned pro.
Another option is to hire a photographer for only a short period rather than your entire wedding day. Many wedding photography packages are for four to eight hours of photos, with the photographer snapping pics of everything from the couple getting dressed to the after-dinner dancing. It’s worth asking if the pro you're considering hiring offers shorter packages for a smaller fee. They may be willing to only shoot for an hour or two to capture the ceremony and some portraits.
Some venues and officiants will offer photos, and Zelda is one of them. While she’s always captured quick pictures of couples after their ceremony, her photographer partner is now taking and editing professional-quality photographs. This can be an especially good fit for an elopement or microwedding, but is a great option for celebrations of all sizes. You can reach out for a quote on adding photos to your wedding.
How to Find a Photographer
Finding a photographer is a little different than finding other types of vendors for your wedding. Yes, you want someone in your price range with good reviews from other couples, but you also have to like their individual artistic vision. If you prefer glamorous, heavily edited photos, but you hire someone who specializes in naturalistic photography, you’re going to be disappointed in your wedding photos, regardless of how highly rated the photographer might be.
Image-heavy sites like Instagram, preferred vendor lists from your venue, or recommendations from your wedding planner are all great places to start. In Zelda’s experience, friend-of-a-friend recommendations are the best source.
Regardless of where you find your potential photographer, make sure you review their portfolio and have a consultation before booking them. When looking at the photographer’s past work, make sure the photos look similar to how you envision your wedding photos, both in composition, editing, and location. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, for example, you’ll want to work with someone who shoots a lot of outdoor events.
Once you find a photographer whose style matches your vision for your wedding day, it’s time to schedule a consultation. A consultation is a chance to meet with the photographer, either virtually or in person, to ask and answer questions and get a better idea of what it will be like to work together. It’s also your chance to talk in-depth about prices, packages, and how they can be customized to fit your wedding.
Consultations are usually free and should happen before signing a contract. It’s unusual but not unheard of for a photographer to charge for a consultation, but if a photographer is only offering a consultation or discovery call after a contract is signed or a deposit is placed, it’s worth pausing and doing a little more research before moving forward. You’re potentially spending thousands of dollars and trusting them with the only tangible memories of your wedding day; you should feel confident in the commitment you’re making.
Our New Photo Offerings
After assisting Zelda with thousands of nuptials, her partner is now bringing his years of experience with photography in film and television to weddings. You can now add high-quality photos to any wedding package, with options that scale with your budget and wedding day. Whether you’re having a simple curbside wedding or an all-day formal event, we can help you preserve your memories with beautiful, professional-quality photos.
Ready to Book Your Wedding (and Photos)?
If you’re ready to make your love official, with or without photos, get in touch. We officiate weddings of all sizes, from private elopements to massive events. However you decide to capture the memories of your wedding day, we hope you have a wonderful time with many great years to come.
