Budget Photography?

Can you contact a local college or university to see if they have photography students that could help out?

I came across this article not too long ago which I thought was quite informative on the topic of budgets: http://www.niccleave.com/wedding-photography-prices-uk/

Sadly I discovered too that photographers are very expensive. I think the only way for you to keep the price that low is to go for a 'new starter' in wedding photography - or maybe ask photography students at your local college?

Hope you find something! Good luck x

We are on a tight budget too. I have asked my daughter (19) and niece (18) to do most of the photography. They have only basic digital cameras but are both very arty and 'have a good eye' for photography. Sis and I enjoy editing pics too. My SIL has a great camera so I know she will get some fab shots. My only concern was the church ceremony pics. Lighting and positioning is important so I have asked a young man I know to do me much the same package as you are wanting. He will do the inside church shots, the arrival, group and portrait shots and even a few at the reception then just stick them onto a memory stick for me to edit. He was taught more than the basics by my hair/MUA friend who was previously a tog. I've seen some of his work and I have faith in him. He's only charging £100 so ill bung him a bit extra. The girls can then just get the nice informal shots. Like others have said, A Level orcollege students would be my preferred choice if I were in your position xx

I think it's important to remember it's not just a case of having decent equipment for good photographs, it's a whole lot more.

As it's the one thing from your wedding you will be looking at in 50 years time, it's important you get a good TOG.

However, like you, I didn't have the money to spend on the sort of photography we dreamed of. The TOG I liked best was almost £2k! Our whole budget is only £4k!

We have a good friend who is a keen amateur photographer, takes band pictures and the like, has amazing equipment and is starting to build a portfolio for future work. He is doing our pics for free (our wedding gift) and he is really excited - so are we. He's built a light box to take close-ups of my button bouquet etc, and written to Countdown (I was on before) and got them to send him the letters for LOVE to use in our photos

I think the college/ uni idea is a good one, as then you can see people's work and know what you're getting. You could also try asking friends of friends, placing an add on gumtree or the like.

Good luck, I hope you get as lucky as we did

Thanks girlies.

Another friend has said she'll do our photo's!

I'm also going to loan Mr.Sadie's sister our camera, as she has a good eye (she took some amazing pictures when she went to see Ronan Keating in Glasgow the other night xD) as well, and my Dad has a good eye as well, so I know we'll have loads of photo's to choose from.

I'm addicted to photoshop, so don't have a problem editing them, I'd prefer to edit them myself anyway, that way they're the way I like them.

The disposable camera idea is a really good one, and I'll look into getting those for each table as well.

Thanks for your help.

xxx

It sounds like you have plenty of people sorting it for you now that's great! But as for the disposable cameras? I wouldn’t bother hun. Sounds like they will be surplus to requirements AND they would bump up your costs considerably, without giving you any quality pics.... There may be some lovely shots, but they won't be of great clarity. I'm sure most of your guests will have their own cameras and decent phones anyway, so they could pass on any good shots to you too. Xx

I'd agree, they can come in at £1.50 - £2.50 a camera and then you've got the processing costs too.

We've got 5 kids coming and we're putting a disposable camera and this list in their goodie bags. Adults all have cameras/ phones etc and it's so much easier these days to share pictures. You could set up a wedding website with a photos area for guests to upload and print out your faves.

I LOVE this idea. Much better than mine.

xx

Ooooo. Rubyfirecracker !!!! Loving those I spy cards!!! Where are they from? We have about 15 under 5s coming to ours.... May get just 3 or so cameras on the activity table. Xx

I just found them on the internet, I'm going to make my own using priddy fonts. I think you can buy them but just as easy to rip off, I say

Funny, I thought the same just after I asked you. I'll be making their other activity things, so these will be easy. Might even do, laminated versions with tick boxes.....

We'll have 4 3-5's, an 8 year old and a 12 year old (the 8/12 year olds dote on the younger ones) so that'll be a great addition to our activity table.

£200 for most of the day would be tight, I'm a budget/newish photographer and I started my first wedding on £300 and I now charge £400. I recommend the website network student photographers- there's a list of posts on there. Also, on facebook there's a group called your complete wedding page or something like that, I posted about it a while ago, if you go onto my Hitched profile and scroll back a few days in my post history it should be there. I'd post the link but I'm on my phone so can't bring all the links up- sorry! If you can't find anything there I also have some friends who I could ask if anyone would do it for £200, let me know if you change your mind and want to take that route rather than family members

I'd also veto the disposables, another Hitcher said they didn't get a single usable shot from their disposables left on the tables. You can only shoot 1-2 meters with them, so you might get some nice shots of guests sitting next to each other but that would be it!

AVOID at all costs......these really offer a poor and disappointing return...

If you could post where you are, someone on here might be able to suggest a local group that might be able to help you with your photography.

I'm hoping I've got everything sorted now. As for the disposable cameras, I think I'll incorporate those I Spy cards and have a few at the activity table for the kids. The older girls dote on the little ones & I know they'll love doing that kind of thing. Thanks for all your help.

I wish Hitched had an iPhone app, would make this so much easier!

Do not bother with the disposable cameras, every one of my Bride and grooms who have had them say out of 10 cameras there is about 5 useable pictures,

As I've said, they'll only be used for the kids.

They are the only ones that use them on the day as the aldults have phones. By all means have them as somthing to entertain the kids (and it will ) but do not expect to get any photos from them.

I don't like repeating myself. I appreciate your input but I've already said ill just have them for the kids. When giving a camera to a child you don't expect fantastic photographs. I expect more pictures of the floor and up their noses than anything else! :p

I wasnt saying this with any reference to budget photography (your origional post) but to the use of disposable cameras for general use on tables. This was a thread a few days ago and may help you with that choice https://www.hitched.co.uk/chat/forums/t/364379.aspx?PageIndex=2

My nephew has autism and he borrowed my camera for an hour one Christmas. When I got it back there were hundreds of pictures of the inside of his mouth!!

I think it's good with the I Spy list as you are giving the children a little mission, you could even write that on there - you never know, there might be a cracker or two that comes back

Hi!

My Maid of Honour is just starting out in wedding photography....she has a facebook page and has a deal on about the moment to win your wedding photography, which will help her build her portfolio....might be worth checking out?

Hopefully this link will work - here goes!

https://www.facebook.com/Byrebeccaphotography

Good luck - hope you get something sorted

xx

Http://www.sub500.co.uk

http://www.paywhatyoulike.co.uk

both sites that offer budget photography services in the UK

https://www.yousnap.co.uk/

offers mass digital camera hire (and instant cameras too) in the UK if you'd like to explore that option