Wedding Photographer?

[georgelopez66]

Getting married this year and i wanted to get a professional wedding photographer - but finace was recommended a photographer from a university that takes photographs for documentaries and books. She has only done a couple of weddings. Did not get to see all her work, but i was not impressed. Would you go ahead with this lady, or go for a professional that is only involved in wedding photography.Fiance said that he does not like photographers that boss people around and tell them what to do.I think that you do need a professional to tell you how to pose and they know what looks good.She is not a student. She works at a university.

[canuckamuck]

Some people get lucky and get a non pro that does a nice job of the wedding. Quite often it doesn't go as planned.

If you can afford a pro, you will probably appreciate it later on. And yes bossy photographers are a pain, but a bigger pain are wedding couples that think they can just do whatever and get high end work. Usually it's the photographer who suffers the most in this case.

Find a younger photographer who seems to want to please, without having an attitude. As long as he has a good portfolio you should be OK.

Contrary to popular belief weddings are not designed for fun, plan to survive it, simplify what you can, and you might just enjoy it.

[astral]

If you can afford a pro, you will probably appreciate it later on.

Agreed.

Get a video as well

Contrary to popular belief weddings are not designed for fun, plan to survive it, simplify what you can, and you might just enjoy it.

A good photographic record will allow you to look back later and realise all the things that happened

but you missed, because you were involved in some other aspect of the proceedings

[The Vulcan]

I think it depends what you, as the couple, want to remember. Informal, casual or both?

Mom/Dad/Grandma etc will want formal poses for the mantlepeice. You may want informal in the album?

My suggestion would be select a pro. Gifted (?) amateurs can ruin your day!

Ask/tell the pro what you want, look at his/her portfolio and get an idea of their "leanings". Outline what you are looking for and agree a format. Everybody wins here.

DO NOT ENGAGE A PHOTOGRAPHER WITHOUT THIS INITIAL CONSULTATION.

A current trend is B+W - maybe this appeals!

You'll need a pro to shift the family snappers out of the way - I've been there and they are a real pain in the butt! An amateur will not have the presence to control this intrusion.

A pro will ALWAYS have an assistant to back up. Amateurs don't. If their CF cards/film fail - that's it. Nothing to show!

Don't risk it - get a pro everytime.

p.s. try retaining the brides dress detail with a flashgun !!!!!!!!!!

Edited May 25, 2009 by The Vulcan

[sapi]

agree with above post....always get pro.

i dont know what is the reason you want to hire her?? but you would regret it in the end, this occasion is one time only.

i was a wedding photographer before, i started from university and photograph wedding after graduate.

one thing i can tell you, my point of view is totally different. when i was a university student i consider photography as an art/hobby....but in profesional world, photography is money, image, style, etc.

my suggestion is to test if your fiancee really insist on her, go somewhere...and took some pre-wedding pic. that way you will know whether she has what it takes.

[devidmike]

It depends on what your budget looks like. A professional photographer will run you thousands of dollars when all is said and done. A freelance/amateur photographer may be willing to do it for a couple hundred dollars. If you've got the money, go with the professional. If you don't, I'm sure the amateur photographer will work just as well for documenting the day. You're not likely to get big fancy portofolios with the amateur, but she's going to end up taking similar pictures. The only way I would 100% recommend going professional would be if you're having an outdoor wedding. Special equipment is needed to get the lighting right.

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Snipped as per the Rules, sorry.

Kan Win

Edited May 29, 2009 by Kan Win

[bkkjames]

It depends on what your budget looks like. A professional photographer will run you thousands of dollars when all is said and done. A freelance/amateur photographer may be willing to do it for a couple hundred dollars. If you've got the money, go with the professional. If you don't, I'm sure the amateur photographer will work just as well for documenting the day. You're not likely to get big fancy portofolios with the amateur, but she's going to end up taking similar pictures. The only way I would 100% recommend going professional would be if you're having an outdoor wedding. Special equipment is needed to get the lighting right.

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Snipped as per the Rules, sorry.

Kan Win

Thousands of dollars? Hmm, let me count. Studio on Tonglor, half day shoot in the studio, 3 changes, the make up and hair for the mrs. Afternoon in the park for more formals. Photographed the entire reception as well.

It was around 30,000 Baht including wedding album, 20x24 mounted, laminated framed - including retouching where required. Very happy overall.

Edited June 1, 2009 by bkkjames