When planning your dream wedding and adding up the costs, it’s understandable to consider cutting expenses. But when it comes to capturing your wedding day, here are five reasons not to skimp on your wedding photography or settle for asking a friend or a family member with a new camera for Christmas.
Why you need to Book a Wedding Photographer
We have six important reasons why you should hire a professional wedding photographer so you understand the value of professional photography. Wedding photography is about a story, we have an article on Why Wedding Photography is So Important here, that covers this in detail.
1. There is more to photography than an expensive camera
In the same way an artist uses a brush, a carpenter uses a hammer and a writer uses a pen, these are just tools, it’s how the person uses it that produces amazing creations.
Just because they have all the bricks, tools and suppliers to build a house, would you trust a part time builder with little experience to build your house? You would more than likely look for someone with years of experience, and a lot of happy and satisfied customers who would recommend them.
You want someone who knows how to use the camera and has experience taking photos in various lighting and conditions, composing and executing shots perfectly. The camera doesn’t achieve this; the photographer does, having developed their skill and knowledge through years of experience and countless hours of shooting. With a professional, you get consistency—not just one or two stunning photos, but an entire album’s worth.
Once the photos are taken that’s not it, there is the editing, the cutting, editing and creation of an album. There is more to photography than just a camera.
2. An amateur means more work for you.
A professional photographer will have years of experience capturing weddings. They will know which shots to take and where to be at the right times. You can trust them to carry out their job with full confidence, knowing they will be in the right places and capture the moments you want.
They will also anticipate what will happen next, understand the flow of the day, and have already identified the perfect spots for those charming bride and groom shots. They will know the ideal location in the church for the perfect backdrop. Your wedding day isn’t a photo shoot; it’s a dynamic event with only one chance to capture those special moments.
3. Feeling at ease
Weddings include both posed moments and action shots. While you might want some group photos and posed shots, you also want to feel at ease. A professional photographer will make you feel comfortable and natural, rather than stiff and awkward. These moments are part of your wedding day and should be fun and enjoyable. This skill comes from experience and trust.
When you feel at ease, it shows in your photos. You’ll have more fun, feel comfortable, and won’t be stressed or worried. It will be like taking photos with friends—relaxed, enjoyable, and resulting in beautiful, natural images.
4. What If…
What if…? What if the photographer falls ill, there’s an emergency, or their computer hard drive fails? In the worst-case scenario, you could end up with no photos of your big day at all.
A professional photographer will have a plan B. They’ll have backup contacts, and multiple backups of backups to ensure nothing is lost. An amateur might not have such contingencies and may not be able to afford extensive backups. For a professional, their reputation is on the line, which drives them to have robust safety measures in place.
5. It’s all you have at the end
Once the wedding is over, there’s excitement about seeing your photos and reliving the day, discovering moments you might have missed—expressions, candid interactions, and scenes with your guests.
When the big day is behind you, all you have are your photos—memories you’ll treasure, share with friends and family, and show to future generations. Ensure these are positive memories, not a reminder of how important photography is and how you wish you had spent a bit more to hire a professional.
Hiring a wedding photographer isn’t a cost, it is an investment.
At the end of the day, your dress goes into the cupboard, the cake is eaten, the flowers wilt, decorations are sold, and balloons are popped. This is the harsh reality. The point is that hiring a professional wedding photographer is an investment. While you might not see its full value on the day itself, once you return from your honeymoon and see your wedding photos and album, you’ll understand the worth and benefit of having hired a professional.
6. You only have one chance
This is your wedding day, and hopefully, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime event. You have only one chance to capture it, so make sure you trust and have confidence in your photographer.
The wedding industry is a busy and competitive market, and wedding photography is no exception. With a wide range of styles, prices, packages, and photographers to choose from, it can be overwhelming. Once you’ve decided on your preferred style and budget, you can narrow down your options and create a shortlist of photographers to capture your wedding day.
If you cut corners on your cake and reduced the budget, hardly anyone would notice, and within a week, the cake will be gone. However, after your wedding, you’ll have photos that tell a beautiful story and hold countless amazing memories. These will last forever. Make sure you hire a professional wedding photographer to capture them.
How to Choose a Wedding Photographer
Assuming you love their work, they match what you’re looking for, and their package suits your needs, how do you know you’ve found your perfect wedding photographer?
You Trust them
An often overlooked aspect of hiring a wedding photographer is how you feel around them. You might love their work and they might be the best photographer in the world, but if you can’t relax around them, it will show in your photos. When meeting and chatting with a photographer, you should feel at ease, as if you were were having a video call with a close friend.
If you’re not feeling a connection, don’t hesitate to contact someone else. Conversely, if you feel like you’re saying goodbye to a friend when you leave and could chat all day about your wedding, that’s a strong sign they might be the right choice for capturing your day.
You’re investing a significant part of your budget in photography, so you want to trust the person responsible for capturing all those special moments. You shouldn’t be worried about their work or what they have or haven’t done; you want to trust them and let them use their years of experience to do their job
You want to leave with a positive feeling and no doubts. As mentioned, feeling at ease with your photographer is essential, but also trust your gut—if something doesn’t feel right, reach out to someone else.
Your photographer should be able to answer any questions you have and put your mind at ease. Ideally, they should have already addressed most of your questions during a casual chat. If, when they ask if you have any questions, you struggle to think of anything that hasn’t been covered, that’s a great sign.
They share your passion
You’ve been planning your wedding and all those little details, and you’re excited and eager to share the news with everyone—friends, family, and even the lovely lady at the bus stop. The wedding industry is full of creativity and passion. If you feel that excitement, passion, and love from your photographer for your wedding day, that’s a perfect sign.
Sharing your ideas and seeking their input is another great way to gauge if there’s a ‘click’. You want to chat with them and feel like they’re part of your day. They’ve seen a lot of different things and wedding styles, so tap into their inspiration.
If you come away feeling excited and looking forward to them capturing your day, it’s safe to say you’ve found your perfect wedding photographer.
While they are there to do a job, feeling at ease with them makes everything more fun. When everyone is relaxed, it results in wonderful wedding photos. The photographer ends up feeling more like a guest, capturing beautiful moments effortlessly.
You would recommend them
That’s right. Even before they’ve taken a single shot, you might already want to recommend them to your friends who are also getting married. If you leave with no doubts about their work and are confident enough to tell others about them, that’s a strong sign of trust and satisfaction. It’s a clear indication that you’re happy with your choice.
Go with your gut
As simple as it sounds, go with your gut. If you feel relaxed and at ease, your instincts will likely be positive as well. However, if you have any doubts or something is bothering you, reach out to them or arrange another meeting to address those concerns.