You’ll find many articles with ideas on how to choose your wedding photographer. But none cover the pit-falls of not choosing the right wedding photographer for you. And none mention the dangers of asking an amateur friend to photograph your wedding.
This article fills the gaps with seven dangers that could ruin your wedding photography.
1. Choosing a friend versus a professional photographer
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Choosing a friend over a professional photographer is fraught with danger!
Here is an example of an amateur kind of mistake:
“The guy did fine on the reception. What was ‘unique’ was how, doing a requested shoot at the beach – the photographer managed to put telephone wires behind most of the shots that had the bride and groom included…”
With the revolution of affordable digital SLR cameras, the temptation to ask a keen amateur friend to photograph your wedding is huge.
However, the difference in quality between a consumer and professional camera equipment is huge especially when it comes to the lenses.
Even getting a cheap professional or weekend wedding photographer does not ensure quality wedding photos. See what happened to this poor couple:
“I posted a friends story about 4 months ago and got slammed by many. It was a $1000 photographer who used a Dig Rebel, kit lens, and pop up flash. It turned into equipment vs. skill thread and lost the point of professional responsibility to have minimum/adequate gear.
In the end the Bride and Groom called me, the bride crying asking if I could fix the photos (bad lighting, terrible red eye, and many other unfixable problems).
They paid $1k and will owe another $1k for the digital Negatives and Album if they want them, which they don’t, unless they can have them fixed by someone. He shot in Jpg only so little fixing from what I saw. We work in the Airline industry and I’d guess 90% of the guests were from out of town, so a re-shoot is unlikely.”
What happens when a piece of equipment fails, will he/she have backup equipment ready at hand?
Your wedding day is a myriad of events swiftly moving from one situation to the next. All of these can present lighting problems that a less experienced photographer will struggle with.
Apart from the technical side of things there are the social skills.
Will your friend be able to cope with posing you and what about organizing the group shots under pressure?
All these skills make wedding photography one of the most challenging forms of photography. These skills cannot be learnt by reading books. They can only be practically learnt through actually photographing weddings.
Do you really want to risk your future memories of your wedding day in the hands of someone that has never shot a wedding before?
Is it really fair to put such a huge responsibility on your friend?
They will feel under huge stress and will be so busy trying to photograph your big day that they will not feel like a guest at all.
2. Relying on one use disposable cameras for your fun shots at the reception
Giving the guests disposable cameras sounds like a fantastic idea for getting some great candid photos at the reception.
Unfortunately the reality is that most of these cameras will be used by the younger guests.
You will end up with mostly blurred images of children playing around. Even if one or two adult guests take up the challenge, you will still be lucky to get more than a few reasonable snap shots.
The cost of purchasing 30 plus disposable cameras and processing the films afterwards will not be insignificant.
Retaining your professional wedding photographer at least until the meal begins will ensure you get some nice candid shots to remember the occasion.
After everyone gets to the reception they start to relax and reveal their true personalities. This is the best time to capture peoples’ expressions and spontaneity of the moment.
Choosing a Professional Wedding Photographer
Hiring a professional wedding photographer should be high on your wedding “must have” list if you are serious about capturing the magical moments that make up you big day. Let’s look at some of the critical points to consider.
3. Style of wedding photography
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Start by looking at wedding photographers’ portfolios – most will have a web presence now making this easy.
You will soon realize there are many different styles to choose from. Some may be very traditional, while others specialize in photojournalism, reportage or contemporary.
To ensure you get a good mix look for someone who covers several styles. Regardless of predominant style all wedding photographers should do the essential wedding group photos.
Make a short list of photographers whose style really appeals to you and are within or close to your budget.
It is never a good idea to hire a professional photographer based on price alone. Prices and packages are rarely cast in stone and can be negotiated. Perhaps the photographer will consider reducing prices for a mid-week wedding or a new location. Maybe you would accept less coverage or cheaper album to receive photography that you will treasure for a lifetime.
As a rule of thumb you will get what you pay for. However there are exceptions – photographers that are still building their businesses may have low costs relative to the quality of photography they are producing.
If possible arrange to meet in person. However, if the photographer lives a long distance away a telephone meeting will suffice. Make sure they will travel to your wedding destination though…
When you meet your potential wedding photographer there are still a few things to consider…
4. Are you comfortable with your photographer?
Do you feel comfortable in the presence of your photographer?
You need to feel comfortable in the presence of your photographer. This is very important as you will be spending most of your day with him or her. They will be directing you, posing you (which will probably involve some physical contact). They will literally become your second shadow for the day.
The wedding photographer will also be trying to figure out if they can enjoy your company and bring out the best in you. They will want to find out if they can produce the kind of photography that will delight you.
If either you or the photographer has reservations about being comfortable together, this is the time to NOT make a booking and move on…
…this illustrates why.
“I was married 11 years ago. The first thing we did was hire “The wedding photographer” as it was my first priority. He was well known in the community and his portfolio was amazing. Our wedding package would cost us $3700.00. The day of the wedding he and his wife showed up at my house. He immediately scolded me for getting ready in such a small location. He continued to complain about the lack of air conditioning and at one point asked my sister “Are you really wearing your hair like that?” His choice saying of the day was…and I heard this over and over…”Hurry Hurry…time is money”! As I was preparing to walk down the Aisle with my father…a touching moment when my father placed the veil over my face before walking down the aisle was interrupted by the photographer stating “No No! Veil over the face looks bad in photos!”. He then proceeded to move me from my fathers left side to his right…stating that is was my better side. I stayed where I was and shot him my first of many dirty looks. Throughout the day he yelled and scolded his wife for not being fast enough, to slow with his water, stating it was a waste of his time to bring her. I wanted to cry every time a moment came that I knew required a photo as by this time I was sick and tired of him and his attitude.
My husband and I went on our honeymoon. The day after our return we were delivered a beautiful flower arrangement and the most beautiful and stunning proof album you can create. Along with a note that stated what a beautiful day he had as our photographer. Our completed album was delivered 8 weeks from our wedding day…and to this day…11 years later, I still cry when I take it out.”
Wedding Client Testimonial
5. Is your wedding photographer insured?
OK, you’ve established that you feel comfortable with your photographer but what if a disaster happens on the day?
In the UK professional photographers should have public liability and indemnity insurance. This covers them in the event of an accident of a technical failure.
Public liability covers the photographer in the event of an accident such as someone tripping over a piece of photographic equipment and breaking a leg.
Your professional photographer will should have backup equipment for most things such as camera body, certain lenses, and flashguns etc.
But what if the car breaks down on the way to the church?
Or a fault has gone undetected until they got home after the wedding?
This is what indemnity insurance protects you from.
Indemnity insurance will cover the expenses of getting everyone back together for a photo session. It will never be the same as the actual day but these things can still happen after every reasonable precaution has been taken and could ruin your wedding photography.
I have Public Liability insurance for £2,000,000 and Indemnity insurance for £75,000 so you are protected.
6. Does your wedding photographer offer any guarantees?
This is a tough one with wedding photography as nothing is 100% certain, so how can a photographer guarantee his work?
How about guaranteeing your price won’t change?
You may book your wedding a long time in advance. Your photographer’s prices will have gone up in this time. Wouldn’t it give you peace of mind to know the price you booked at will be the price you pay?
There are still many professional photographers that cover more than one wedding in a day. Wouldn’t you be very angry if your photographer suddenly left you part way through your group shots to rush off to another wedding?
This can be a real danger if you book a photographer for a limited set of hours who covers more than one wedding in a day.
All my clients enjoy a total satisfaction guarantee on all their wedding products the purchase.
7. Can your photographer cope with extreme weather conditions?
Lit with flashguns on light-stands with studio umbrellas.
The obvious thing that comes to mind is rain but the sun can make wedding photography just as difficult.
Extreme weather conditions may mean it is not possible to photograph outside. Whilst it may be possible to find a small area of shade to photograph the bride & groom it may not be possible for group shots. Under such conditions the photographer will suggest continuing indoors.
This raises another important issue; can your wedding reception cope with indoor photography?
Have they got a large area suitable for group shots that will be available to you?
The better wedding venues will have space available but this is something worth considering when booking your wedding reception venue.
OK, so we’ve all gone indoors for photos – now what?
Over the last few years there have been massive advances in flashgun technology, largely driven by the USA. It is now possible to have flashguns mounted on lighting stands and shoot through umbrellas producing near studio quality lighting. Your photographer will also have a tripod to hold the camera steady so that he/she can combine the flash light and ambient light to produce pleasing results.
You probably don’t want the photographer who relies on a flashgun on top of his or her camera. This will produce harsh light that will also make the group look like a bunch of cardboard cut outs and most likely produce huge shadows on the wall behind, thus ruining your wedding photography.
Why not choose a leading professional photographer?
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top seven dangers that could ruin your wedding photography
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Some of those quotes sound just like the horror stories I have heard.
One thing you did totally missed is Experience!
About two years ago a bride called me asking for help with her wedding photos as all the colours were off and the pictures were less than fab. They selected a Professional Photographer who was a member of the SWPP but she had not shot many weddings. The result was very bad photography, as you probably well know, shooting a wedding and working in a studio are two different things; and much the same is when the weekend photographer or new photographers come on the market who have shot a friends wedding.. they can get lucky with a few shots or make a complete hash of the wedding!.
here is a interesting story about enthusiast photographers and family and friends shooting weddings..
I was booked once by a couple who dad was a enthusiast photographer, he had is semi pro camera a few cheap lens and even a flash gun. They decided to book me for the wedding and the group shots after but he was going to follow on with the cake cutting and reception and I wouldn’t be required.
anyway, the wedding was over the album was ordered and I went to the house to deliver the wedding album they had ordered and the dad turns up with a plastic wrap flip album and showed me his photos that he was so proud of taking.
The first thing I noticed was that the light fell off from the front of the faces to just about their arms and the cake was just visible as was the flash reflection on the knife but the rest of it was black, this was pretty much the theme for the rest of the photos, and this was due to the flash gun being wrong for the camera, thats the only reason I could think of??.
At another wedding, much the same thing happened but I was there to do the cake cutting, the family ordered about 4 albums and when the bride wrote the review, she said that she wished that she had book us for the whole day.
Reason: the photography style and quality against the guest photos and the disposable cameras was so different that the pictures looked so odd together.
I was also reading a post about how a bride worshipped her photographer that she had from the start to the finish of the day, I couldn’t find the post again when I went looking for it, but its a great read and you can tell that she’s very excited and would recommend that people book a real professional photographer.
Then there was the reliance on the guests and the table cameras..
The kids ran off with the cameras, the page boy took photos up the adults skirts, we only had about 4 useable images, the guests took them home, no one used them.. thats just some of the things I have heard..
Then again, thinking about it.. Would they let a drunk take their wedding photos? most people have a few at a wedding, so guests and table cameras may not be the best option as many magazines propose.
On a note about professional photographers.
I have had a bit of an argument with trading standards and the advertising standards agency with the title of ” Professional Photographer” It would see that anyone can call themselves professional photographers regardless if they are qualified or experienced within the field of what ‘we’ regard as professional photography.
I have drafted a legal proposal to try and stop people falling for these photographers that are not what ‘we’ would class as professionals, but it may mean changing titles to expert photographer and setting out some sort of formal ranking system for wedding photographer and other photographers alike so that couples looking for the professional photographer actually get a true professional photographer.