Did you hire a photographer or just have a relative take pictures?

Question

My fiance has been urging me to skimp on a lot of things for our wedding, which I did - for the most part.

His Aunt suggested that I just have a relative take pictures, rather than a photographer. My thinking is that if I hire someone to do the job, they are responsible for doing it well. If they fail, I fight to get my money back or whatever, but I won't be destroying a relationship if the pics are bad. I think photos are not an area to skimp. And I did go ahead and hire someone and am paying $1400 for a pretty decent package.

What did you do? Any regrets on your choice?

We have no friends or family that are professional or hobby photographers. For my $1400, I get 8 hours of photography, a slide show of the ceremony pictures at the reception, tons of prints, a CD, and a signed release alowing me to make all the copies I want from the CD. (I guess somehow the photos can't be printed from the CD at a photolab without the release)

Answer 1

I think your package sounds nice at a reasonable price. You want to have great pics from your wedding that you can look back at and enjoy. Professionals have done weddings many many times, so they know exactly what pics to take and where they should be, etc. I wouldn't trust an ameteur to snap pics because they'll most likely miss some things that you would really want. It sounds like you're in the same situation I'm in. My fiance wants to cut costs everywhere and his relatives are suggesting to skip the pro photog. I decided to go with the pro because it only happens once and I don't want to hate my pics. There's no Do-Overs. Good Luck!

Answer 2

I agree with the others in that photography is not a place you want to cut back on. After your wedding day, basically all you'll have left to remember it by are those photos capturing each detail. From another perspective, I was asked to take pictures at my aunt's wedding but I ended up getting my friend to do most of it since she had a really nice camera & had taken some photography classes. I mainly acted as her "assistant" making sure she was capturing moments I knew my aunt wanted documented. Although I was not fully in charge, I was trying to make sure my friend wasn't left with all the work and as a result, I wasn't really able to just enjoy the wedding. That being said, I would never ask a close relative/friend to be the photographer b/c there is just no way they can take great pictures AND enjoy the day themselves.

Answer 3

We had a professional photographer for posed portraits only, at the studio.
We had an ethnic wedding, so we had a BIL do the photography for the ceremony, since he was totally aware of the special parts we wanted photos of. A 'stranger' would have missed some by not realizing the importance of some.
However, had we a 'do over', I would have skipped the professional photography as well. Someone else could have done a decent job.

Answer 4

Don't skimp out on your pictures. Having a "friend" do them, is not always a good choice, they may not be that dependable. A professional is has more experience to handle the lighting/shadows. A professional has a lot more of experience to ensure he/she takes the pictures at the right time and right angle.

I would keep the photographer you have hired. **Ask the photographer you will get the rights to your pictures. (this could save you money in the long run for printing)

Good luck

Answer 5

This was quite a decision I made, as I found out how expensive a photographer is for a wedding.
I thought and thought, but I think nice pictures are important for a wedding, because they are something you will cheerish forever and that day will just be a blur for you!!!
I decided to go with the photographer! I actually found a friend of my mom's that is a photographer and gave us a deal less than $500!!!
Think about it, I know if you skipped the photographer, you'd save A LOT!!! I found out photography is one of the more expensive things, BUT after your wedding, what would you fall back on for memories???

You made a good choice!!!!!

Answer 6

I highly recommend not skimping on the photographer, unless the relative is a professional or highly skilled amateur. You're going to have those photos the rest of your life, and don't want to risk not having great ones. Also, the relative would not be able to enjoy the wedding, nor the meal, with so much pressure to take great pics. And would you be angry or disappointed with him/her if they don't turn out? $1400 sounds very reasonable for a photographer.

Answer 7

my husband has a friend at work who takes pictures of REALLY fast planes. my husband was like omg if he can make those pictures focused, he can do our wedding. i must have made a 0_o face, but i was assured that he has done weddings. i was a little worried, but then i got the pictures back and i was really happy. he got a lot of funny candids that i love. he only charged for development so it was a very FAIR deal.

so i suppose he is a kinda professional, he does done it before. i would not have just someone who has never done a wedding before.

years from now you won't have the food or the wedding hall you rented, you will have the pictures. so that should be one of the most important decisions you make.

**getting the CD and release form is VERY good. that is a very nice photographer.

Answer 8

I would never use a relative UNLESS they were a photographer by hobby or profession. I love them and all but I want to have nice clear photos with good equipment. And I want them to be able to enjoy the ceremony as well so a professional would always win out for me. Besides there would be less drama if I didn't like the photos afterwards if that person wasn't related to me.

Answer 9

I had a relative take all of our pictures. Though it was a relative that knew what he was doing and had a very nice camera. The camera is what will really make a difference as to how well your photos turn out. If you do have a relative take them I would suggest having you and your fiance go in for a sitting with your gown and tux so you have at least one professional photo.

Answer 10

We had friends take pictures and video. They took close to 300 pics, so we certainly had some good ones to pick from; no regrets here. However, our wedding was informal, so it was only fitting to fore-go a formal photographer. If you want things to be "perfect", by all means hire a professional; relatives can still take pictures (it's always nice to have less formal pics), but if it's important to you to have formal pics, don't rely on people who don't know what they're doing.