My Friend’s little sister has been trying out photography and she’s going to do our photos…
Pretty sure I cringed even just typing this heading. It was painful. Please don’t mistake what I’m saying. I’m not against a friend’s little sister learning or trying photography, we all have to start somewhere, but relying on those photos as your primary source of capturing the day is a TERRIBLE idea. The one thing I hear the very most often as a venue owner is from ladies whose wedding photos were not at all what they wanted or anticipated. I’m, wait for it, guilty of this myself. Sigh, head shake… learn from my mistake! When my husband and I got married we did not put forth the effort to find a good photographer and the photos show that. Even if you decide to get married in the backyard, the courthouse, the back of a convertible, wherever: hire a good, reputable photographer. This is most likely not your family photographer who has photographed you since you were 5. That doesn’t mean the family photog can’t do it or you won’t be happy but the chances of a family photographer taking great wedding photos are not good. These types of photo sessions are entirely different than each other, one is not like the other. In family photography, it is usually a short time frame where weddings are all day gigs. In weddings there are things that a family photographer will rarely if ever be faced with and the biggest one of these is low light. If a photographer does not know how to shoot with flash, that’s your sign you need to RUN. Unless you plan to have a 2pm wedding, this photographer will be severely impaired. The next thing a family photog is not going to be accustomed to is catching the moments. A good wedding photographer will know where to stand and how to prep the officiant for the shot of the first kiss. The reason wedding photographers charge as much as they do is because they’re worth it. They specialize in the hardest photo session and they tailor their life and give up their weekends to capture it. If someone is priced too low, that’s probably a red flag. Definitely allow several weeks of research and reaching out to find the right photographer. Look at their portfolios, see what you like or don’t like. This vendor is one of the first things you need to secure because the good ones stay booked, and many of my brides will work their dates around the availability of the photographer so they know the right person is available for their date. Pick a few photographers in case the one you want isn’t available thaw way you have a backup plan. But no matter what you need a pro for this one. Happy hunting!
Photo credit: Brittany Boren
