5 Regrets brides have on their wedding day… {continued}
#4 Hiring a Friend to Photograph Your Wedding
Here’s Part 4 of “5 common regrets brides have on their wedding day”. Number 4 on the list - Hiring a Friend to Photograph Your Wedding.
Weddings are magical days filled with love, joy, and unforgettable moments. From the first look to the last dance, each moment is precious, and capturing it all through photography is one of the most important investments a couple can make. While it may be tempting to ask a friend with a decent camera to capture your big day, there are several reasons why this might not be the best idea. In this blog post, we'll dive into the pitfalls of having a friend photograph your wedding, and why hiring a professional is worth every penny. Now, let me say that if you have a friend who has a successful photography business, who has photographed wedding before, this may not apply to you. :)
1. Professional vs. Amateur
One of the most compelling reasons not to hire a friend will be their lack of experience. Wedding photographers have expertise in the flow of the day, varying lighting situations and how to handle a multitude of scenarios that can present themselves. Your friend may have a decent camera, but without this in-depth knowledge and skill set, it can be a recipe for disaster. Some venues will have full sun ceremony spaces, or darkly lit indoor spaces. Having a camera with advanced settings, knowing how to use them, and having the correct lens will be essential in capturing beautiful portraits.
Wedding professionals know how to work under pressure, capture flattering angles and move large groups of family members around quickly and efficiently. This takes a lot of experience to become proficient and doesn’t happen overnight.
Fun Fact: We hired a pretty high end photographer for our wedding waaaaay back in 1990. He came and took our portraits and ceremony pics but had to leave and sent his assistant to capture the reception. You can clearly tell who took which images. My mom is still mad about it. lol!
2. Emotional Pressure on Friend
While your friend may offer to take your wedding photos, it does put a lot of pressure on them and eliminates them from participating in your big day as a guest and enjoying themselves. But the big issue can be if the images don’t turn out as you expected or if key moments are missed. This can put a strain on the friendship. You don’t want your wedding day memories to become a point of contention between you and someone you care about. By hiring a professional, your friend will be able to enjoy your wedding day without the added pressure.
3. Limited Experience with Wedding Photography
Let’s say you have a friend who is an amazing landscape/nature photographer or who does the most beautiful newborn portraits. Wedding photography is a whole different ball game. You have to be on your toes and ready to capture posed, candid, and event photography. It’s a long day, carrying heavy equipment and many times you end up managing the timeline as well. You want to make sure you hire someone with ample experience in all of th above so your wedding day runs as smoothly as possible.
4. Lack of Equipment and Backup Plans
I actually used to be a wedding photographer from 2008 - 2022. It was a lot of fun but it was really expensive, as I had to own two of everything. Two high end, expensive cameras, two flashes, multiple lenses and memory cards. Your friend most likely owns one decent camera, but what happens if it malfunctions and there is no back up camera. Or if during your reception in a darkly lit barn, their flash goes out. These are all things to consider, especially when it’s wedding photos that can’t be retaken.
5. Editing and Post Processing Expertise
Taking the photos is only half the battle, there’s an enormous amount of work that goes into editing. A seasoned photographer had it down to a science and will spend hours color correcting, retouching and delivering perfect photos in the highest resolution. They will know how to enhance lighting, remove distractions and ensure you and your partner look your best. An amateur may deliver over or under exposed images or poorly cropped images, leaving you disappointed. Hiring a professional who has up to date editing programs with an advanced skill set using them will provide you with unforgettable photos.
6. The Importance of Consistency
I always recommend asking to see a photographer’s entire gallery of a few different weddings. It’s honestly pretty easy to get a few good posed images, but what about walking down the aisle, candid moments with your guests, the dreaded family photos (lol!) or the dance party? Those can all be extremely challenging to capture effectively. Hiring a photographer who consistently delivers entire galleries with top notch photos is a slam dunk.
7. Capturing Special Moments You Didn’t Even Know Were Happening
One of the greatest skills of a professional wedding photographer is capturing those little behind the scenes moments you weren’t even aware of. Everyone will know to capture the vows, kiss, first dance etc. But what amount that little moment between and your dad before he walks you down the isle, the close up of the tear rolling down mom’s cheek while dancing with her son, the flower girl twirling around in her cute dress before walking down the isle, etc. Most photographers have captured enough events that they know to be on the lookout for these special moments.
While it may seem like a good idea to have a friend photograph your wedding, the potential downsides far outweigh the short-term savings. From a lack of professional expertise and equipment to the emotional pressure it places on your friend, the risks are too high. Your wedding photos are an investment in your memories, and it’s worth hiring a professional to ensure that those memories are captured beautifully and preserved for a lifetime.
So, do your future self a favor—hire a professional photographer, and let your friend be a part of the celebration instead of behind the camera. You’ll thank yourself when you look back at those stunning photos years from now!
Next up … No. 5 - Having an Open Bar
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