Imagine, for a moment, that your boiler breaks down. It's the middle of winter, you're working full-time with kids to look after, and even if you did have the know-how you'd never have the time to fix it yourself. Perhaps money's a little tight, so you call in a friend who's a car mechanic to take a look. They may not specialise in home repair, but they are pretty handy with a spanner‚ right?
Does this sound like something you'd do? Of course not!
You'd rely on a professional to do the job properly, and rightly so, too. When it comes to the important stuff, having a professional expert on-hand is always worth the initial expense in the long run.
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It's no different when it comes to wedding photography. Sure, you could hire your best friend - the one who always has a camera handy. If you're on a budget this often seems like an appealing idea: you get a photographer for cheap (or free), and you also get someone you know personally. |
Don't be fooled into thinking that this is a good idea. Are you really likely to get images that are good enough to use for wall art or even good quality picture you would want to frame for time eternal?
There is a reason why professional wedding photographers charge the rates that they do: because it's a tough job that requires a lot of skill, equipment, and experience. Paying an expert means that you're paying someone who will know exactly how to handle different lighting situations, who will have a feel for the kind of shots you'll be looking for, and will be able to beautifully document all the best moments from your special day.
After all, weddings can be chaotic, busy events and photographers know this. They'll have done this before, numerous times, which means that their knowledge of what happens when and how best to photograph different situations will be second to none.
So if you're planning a wedding on a budget, don't assume that the easy way out is so simply ask a friend to take your photos. Chances are, unless your friend has wedding photography experience, the results won't match up to a professional's.
Besides, it's not just about the planned, posed shots outside the church: it's all the little moments too, the embarrassing dance moves and candid smiles across the table at dinner. You want documentation of everything that made your day special, and having a dedicated, professional wedding photographer will ensure that every moment is captured for you to enjoy for years to come with an album full of iconic prints.