5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Slack on Wedding Photography
Congratulations! You have set a date for your impending nuptials! This is the happiest time of your life, kid. It can also be a little frustrating. On average, wedding costs top out at around $30,000 – the price of a pretty nice car. Whether you are planning an elaborate, storybook affair or a down-home, countrified hullabaloo, the financially interested parties should get together soon and have a candid conversation about everyone’s wishes and expectations. And while you may feel compelled to cut costs on party favors and signature cocktails, don’t skimp on the photos. Here are five reasons why.
1. While you’re in the receiving line, great moments are being captured.
A recent survey of seasoned wedding photographers found that how a couple handles wedding day photography is a barometer for marital happiness. Perhaps the bride doesn’t like to have her photo taken unless she is posed. Maybe the groom has one good side and insists on being shot from only that angle. The important thing is to agree that wedding photos are priceless. When you go back to look at your photos later, those seemingly trivial shots will fill in the parts of the day that you missed. A professional, experienced wedding photographer will know what moments to catch and those are the photos that will delight you years down the road.
2. You can go back in time.
I can’t say that I go back and look at my wedding video very often. My kids have – but it is for comic relief because their dad looks as nervous as a teenager on his first date. One wedding consultant points out what a mistake it is to skip the video. The video will capture the subtle nuances of the ceremony that you probably won’t remember. When viewed later, I was surprised at the passion in my voice as I recited my vows. After all these years, it is still an immersive and emotionally engaging experience.
3. On your big day, delegation is indispensable.
An amateur photographer can literally ruin your big day. I recently attended my niece’s wedding and I could tell from the get-go that she had spared no expense in hiring a photographer. She was both assertive and charming when choreographing the images she wanted to capture. If you hire amateur photographer Aunt Cindy to take your wedding day photos, she may irritate your guests. A professional will interact cordially with the family and guests of the betrothed. It is no small thing that you will be able to delegate such a big part of your day.
4. Free your mind, and the rest will follow.
Delegation is essential on your wedding day. In hiring a professional, and perhaps expensive photographer, you will be able to free your mind regarding whether or not the right shots are taken. Aunt Cindy might have a good idea of what moments should be captured, but an experienced photographer approach the bride and groom with a shot list to determine what shots are the most the most important to them. The stress and unpredictability of wedding day photography should not be taken lightly. This is one area you simply can’t afford to worry about.
5. You’ll be on the same page.
In the days and weeks before your wedding, you probably won’t be spending time with your photographer. He or she may not get to know you on a personal level. A professional may ask you for a moodboard. Creating a moodboard on a website (like Pinterest) allows you to save images that you like. An expert photographer can access the site and deliver an experience that embraces the personality of your relationship.
Planning your wedding can be an exasperating time. It might be the first time in your life that you are faced with formulating a budget and following it to the penny. When other people’s money is involved, you have a responsibility to be parsimonious where you can be. But penny-pinching and wedding photography just don’t mix. Check references and portfolios, but don’t skimp. You won’t regret it.
