Most professional photographers sell wedding photography packages that include pictures, albums, videotapes, programs, special effects, etc. Those are wonderful accessories that can be tossed in if you have money to spare. However, with the cost of weddings rising to unprecedented heights, there are always ways to budget your expenses.
Create Your Own Accessories
With the number of arts and crafts stores rising, as well as scrapbook and other classes available, it is perfectly acceptable to manage your own wedding photography and create your own albums. In fact, if you have a talented friend or relative, you might ask them to make the albums as their gift to you; of course, you would pay for materials. Full albums for the new couple, and each of their parents (or sets of parents, if applicable) should be crafted. With enough time, these can be handmade to commemorate your wedding day with your own wedding photography.
Network with Friends
Do you have any friends (or friends of friends) who have taken great pictures? You can always find a professional photographerdepending on what you want and how much you want to spend. Dont assume that expensive equals quality; if you do, youll be sadly mistaken.
Many wedding albums have been filled successfully with wedding photography taken by friends referrals from friends. Dont expect an invited guest to be your photographerbut if they have a brother, sister, or friend, let them make the introductions so that you can discuss your requests.
Essential Pictures
A high-priced photographer will likely follow you around for hours, taking pictures of the bride preparing for the wedding, getting in the car, before the wedding, entering the church (or other chapel), and after pictures. Think about your wedding photography budget and which pictures you definitely want.
If you are only including 25 pictures in an album, but the professional photographer is going to shoot 500 pictures from which to choose, you are going to be paying far more money than you need tofor film, proofs, photos, etc. Better to pick out 25 or 50 scenarios and take two poses of each. Why pay for 500 photos when you only need 50 or 100?
Dont Assume
Wedding photography isnt an art; its a skill. Some people think that a person who can photograph great landscapes can also take great portraits. This is not true, but it is part of the interviewing process. When you ask someone who isnt a professional to handle your wedding photography, have them show you more than one portrait theyve taken. If they havent taken any, ask them to take some and get back to you before you make a decision. Planning wedding photography on a budget does not mean you must settle for low quality.
