Do we need a wedding photographer?

If you don’t know it already, I need to fess up & say “I’m a Wedding Photographer” so you can reasonably expect me to be biased.

That said I’ve seen & heard it all in the wedding industry over the last 15yrs so I think I’m well equipped to offer some impartial advice. I don’t know you & only you can answer the question but I’ve had LOTS of emails over the years from brides (usually) who regret not having a photographer on the day, or at least not an experienced professional so before you make your decision, make sure it’s an informed one.

The following are just some of the comments I often hear:

“I’m not photogenic”
“I hate my photo being taken”
“Himself hates photos”
“All photographers are the same”
“I don’t want the entire day taken up with photos”
“I’m not too bothered about wedding photos”
“Mention a wedding & you’ll get ripped off! Sure, they just pick lotto numbers for prices”
“I don’t have the budget for a professional photographer”

If you answer yes to 2 or more of the above, I can see why you’d wonder if you need a wedding photographer at all.

I can’t answer that for you, but I can offer the following advice with confidence & experience:

If you’re going to use a photographer at all, then hire a professional. Don’t ask uncle Bob who has a good camera, as it’s likely you’ll end up with the worst of both worlds; he’ll waste your precious time on your day & you probably won’t get the photos to show for it.

So here are my feelings & findings on each of the often heard phrases:

“I’m not photogenic”

You’ve never put this much effort into one day so this is the best you’ll ever look so make the most of it! Besides, once you’re in your finery you’ll feel the most photogenic you’ll ever feel. Take advantage of a pro giving you all the best posing tips & trust someone who knows how to take advantage of & make best use of the light. Photography is about light. Wedding photography is about a light & patience & a bunch of other soft skills not common to everyone. (See reasons to hire a pro)

“I hate my photo being taken” or “Himself hates photos”

Many people aren’t comfortable in front of the camera but my job is to put you at ease & to minimise your posing time. If you’re really not enjoying having your photo taken, I’m good at “reading the room” & leaving well enough alone & I’ll go elsewhere. Bear in mind that there are likely to be many more people involved in the photos on your day – bridal party & family so they will want photos. And they’ll also provide a distraction & make you more at ease by being in the photos themselves. Plus there are lots of times during the day when the camera is on your guests & other aspects of the day.

“All photographers are the same”

They’re definitely not. In the same way teachers, chefs, doctors, singers, venues & people are not all the same. And this may be a good time to point out it’s not the camera that makes a good photographer. And if you are considering a photographer, have a look at their work & testimonials to satisfy yourself that you like their style.

“I don’t want the entire day taken up with photos”

I hear you. There are only so many hours in a day & there’s lots to fit into a wedding day! I find it’s a real balancing act with fitting it all in whilst finding the time to take you to a separate location for just the two of you or with your bridal party. This is something I discuss with my couples to see exactly what time we have on the day & where they want to spend it. I’ll offer my expertise & advice but ultimately I take my lead from you. If I can, I’ll help you with your timeline so that you get to fit in everything you want!

“I’m not too bothered about wedding photos”

In what way? Like you don’t want to spend too much time taking them or you really don’t care whether you have any or not?
How would you feel if you didn’t have ANY photos from your day? Or what if the only photos you had were out of focus or were backlit so that you were in shadow? Or with your eyes closed & mouths open? What about family photos? Someone will probably want family photos – do you have someone to set those shots up & that will have the authority (that people will heed) to compose people?

Over the years I’ve been asked numerous times if I can somehow “fix” someone else’s badly taken photos. Like most things, it’s impossible to put right after the fact. My most recent request was from a bride wanting to re-stage parts of her wedding day – one year later – I wasn’t told what went wrong with the original photographer’s photographs.

“I don’t have the budget for a professional photographer”

Maybe you don’t & you don’t want to get into debt over it, which are both valid points. But if this is the case but you’d like a wedding photographer then maybe it could be a joint gift from family/friends who are willing to club together for it as their gift to you.
My prices start at €1400 for a full day of photography (including all images but excluding an album). Or get in touch for shorter day quotes.

“Mention a wedding & you’ll get ripped off! Sure, they just pick lotto numbers for prices”

I can only speak for myself but I run a business; pay rates, VAT, insurances, have expensive equipment (& backup equipment), hire an accountant & have all the other boring business bills to pay. Then a wedding in total time takes me anything from 3 days – 5 days to complete, depending on a few variables including location & if an album is included. So the fee isn’t for just the day – there’s more to it. Several days more to it.