Happy Friday everyone. I can sense a cold coming on, so the weekend is much needed! I had the pleasure of meeting with Haley & Michael from Shandro Photo (Edmonton) yesterday and one of the things we agreed on was that you should never EVER go with a non-professional for your wedding photos. Personally for me, I consider it one of the most important things, even more so than the venue because these are the keepsakes you will look back on in the future. I can’t stress this enough! Here’s what Haley from Shandro Photo, our guest blogger, has to say about the topic…
One of the biggest decisions that every bride faces is how to budget for her big day. Websites and magazines provide checklists to help you allocate your budget for all of the details of your wedding, large and small. Every one of your friends who just got married will also be more than happy to give you wedding planning advice.
While these budgets can be a great place to start, nothing is set in stone, and you have to decide what is most important for YOUR wedding. For many brides, photography is THE most important thing for their wedding. All of the details of your wedding are important, but your photos are the only permanent record of your wedding day. Here are a few tips to help ensure you have budgeted enough for your wedding photography.
Do I need a professional?
My uncle can do it for me. These days anyone with a camera thinks that they are a photographer, but a professional has the experience, equipment, personality, and backup equipment to ensure that your photos are stunning and safeguarded.
How much is too much?
A few years ago, you could hire a great wedding photographer for $2000-$3000. These days, people are spending more on their photographer, and it’s not unusual to pay $5000+ for an amazing professional photographer for full day coverage with an album and disc. Why is it ‘so expensive’? There is a difference between amazing photography and poor photography. The talent of a true professional photographer can be the difference between ho-hum photos and stunning images of your most important day. Wedding photography is one field where you do get what you pay for.
How much coverage do I need?
Gone are the days of stiff portraits after a traditional ceremony. Many brides now want documentary-style coverage of their wedding. However, not everyone wants photos of getting ready. Or, your budget might not allow for hiring a pro for the whole day. Rather than hiring a mediocre photographer for the whole day, consider spending a bit extra and hiring a professional for less time.
Do I get a disc of images?
To some brides a disc is important, to some it is not. If you are a bride who values having a digital archive of your photos and the ability to print what you want, check to see if the disc is included, or if there is an extra charge. If the initial package price is low but there are fees after the fact, this may affect how a photographer will fit into your budget. Also, understand that there is a difference between a disc of high-resolution files that you can print to a large size, or downsized files (or low resolution) that can only be used for the web or small prints.
Click below to read more about whether you need a wedding album, how to personalize your photography, and what to expect if you’re having a Sunday or winter wedding.
Do I need a wedding album?
You may have intentions of printing off wedding photos for your friends and family, or putting together your own wedding album. However, many brides find that after the wedding life gets busy, priorities shift, and the disc of wedding images gets put on the shelf. Also, technologies change and that disc will eventually be obsolete or may deteriorate. A good quality album will safeguard your memories for years. You should ensure your budget has enough room for a professional wedding album.
Can I personalize my wedding with photography?
You can combine other items from your budget, such as a guest book, thank you cards, and even invitations into your photography budget. Ask your photographer to do custom extras with your engagement and wedding photos.
Shouldn’t I get a discount for getting married on a Sunday or in the winter?
A photographer works just as hard on a Saturday in the summer as on a Sunday in December. You shouldn’t necessarily expect a discount if you’re not getting married on a Saturday.
Have we got you convinced? It’s always nice to hear from the perspective of a photographer, but as a bride once herself, you’re getting a bride’s perspective as well. Have a great weekend everyone.
{photos courtesy Shandro Photo}
Comments
I agree, the Photographer was one of my more important things, it was more important than the centerpieces because really nobody remembers what those look like but you CANNOT re do your photos. Also make sure you go with a photographer you like, (so meet them) not just because of price, I met a photographer that I did not like in the first 5 minutes of us meeting because she trashed other photographers, same with another photographer who I didn’t think who was ‘pushy’ enough to stand up to my family. (My family sometimes needs to know where to go.) Finally after meeting 4-5 photographers that match my style and somewhat close to my budget I had a excellent photographer who I felt was good and my pictures turned out to be awesome. This is one area I don’t think Brides should cheap out on.
The most important things to me
Venue, Food and Photographer :) Good Article Mel
thanks for your input case! The article is all thanks to Shandro Photo! So helpful
admin on March 12, 2010While I agree that you don’t want to ask your Uncle or family friend to take those all-important pictures for your special day, I think some credit has to be given to the emerging photographer as well.
I agree that anyone with a digital camera these days fancies themself to be a photographer. That is true to some extent. However there are also plenty of talented and creative photographers out there who have the experience, but who are just starting to market their services.
Especially if you are budget-conscious, there are plenty of photographers out there who are untapped resources. And because they’re just starting to market their business, you can get their services for a lot less than an already established photographer.
I think the important thing here is RESEARCH! Check out the photogapher’s portfolio. Ask about experience. Ask about their equipment. Ask about their photo editing software, backup equipment and dgital file storage. But don’t just rule them out because it’s only their third wedding or because they’re not charging you $5,000.
You can tell by their portfolio and their answers to those questions whether or not you would be comfortable going ahead to book them for your wedding. But give the “little guy” some consideration – you’ll probably catch them on their way up!
Celeste on March 16, 2010Hi Celeste,
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my article.
I agree with you. Absolutely. We were also once, as you said, ‘on the way up’, and we are so grateful to all of our clients who took a chance with a new company.
I think you hit the nail on the head by saying that research is so important. We want to book clients who love our work, and who love our personalities. But we definitely need to have the business to back it up (file storage, back up equipment etc). A new business who has these under their belt is a great option for many brides, and especially in Edmonton there are plenty of weddings to go around for everyone. I just want people to have great looking images.
There is something to be said for experience when dealing with weddings, as they are unique with stresses and challenges. But new companies have to start somewhere to gain that experience, and not everyone’s budget allows for a more experienced studio.
I think the key thing is for photographers to charge what they’re worth, and to make sure that they are safeguarding their clients most precious memories in a professional way.
Haley Shandro on March 17, 2010
