wedding photos

Hi,

We were same, friend offered but then i realised i did want the professional and im not that photogenic so wanted someone who could work with me.

I emailed loads of top photographers in our area and asked what they would charge if we just took a disc of all our photos instead of them putting an album together, it knocked £200 off of our price! it is still costing 550 but im working extra hard to pay for it as i want the professional dramatic arty pics. Ask them to put together a personalised package for your approximate budget and see what they come up with. hope this helps at least a little xx

Where in the world are you, and what's the date. I have a LONG list of people that could help you.

My friend is a profession photographer, and he's very kindly doing ours for just £30! He's putting the pics onto a cd for us and then we can print out what we want xx

From the originial post - 'I'm in Surrey/Sussex area so if anyone has suggestions... muchly appreciated'.

To be honest, college/uni does not prepare you in any way for the pressure cooker of a wedding. Many very experienced photographers including several high profile ones will steer well clear of weddings.

There are though, quite a few photographers that will offer a disk coverage with printing /reproduction rights. Check a few out and you will probably find a tog to suit you.

Peter

A lot of photography packages do involve rather expensive albums to put the pictures in - which you've already found out. The £200 was probably for some fancy schmancy designer italian leather album which might look good but a £25 album from Smiths will hold them just as well.

I wonder why so many photographers use these expensive albums when the reality is that they just add cost to the package - it's the post-processing and touching up that takes the time for the photographer and whether the pictures end up in a £25 or £250 album I'd guess it takes the same time to stick 'em in.

I guess, in some cases, you do get what you pay for when it comes to the album, but thankfully long gone are the days when that was the only chance you had - there's no reason really you can't get a cheap album to start with then get reprints done a year or so later and put them into a more expensive album, or even one of the 'photobooks' that so many places offer online now.

Our package is £550 for a basic 40 photo album, and a CD that we can run off copies as we wish.

I think if you've got a certain style in mind and specific arty shots that you definitely want, then you would need the services of a professional. The doubt seems to be already in your mind when you say "if I look back and see boring photos, I'll cry" They may not be boring but might not be the standard your after. As A J and others have said, you don't have to have an album. We've been married 27 years and I think our album has seen the light of day about 3 times in all those years!

Personally I'd say you need to go for the professional. I've seen the results of the disasters caused by inexperienced photographers. Its really not worth it, you'll be really upset when you see how bad they are. Boring is one thing, but just plain awful and unusuable is another.

I often see this comment about student photographers, but if the truth be told I really fail to see why they would be any better, they don't have the experience either.

And sorry this is such a negative post, but I also very much doubt your friends hubby 'has all the kit' if he is just a hobbyist. most likely he just has a decent hobby camera. But its unlikely he really has everything that is needed and certainly not of a pro quality, I may not undertand it all, but I know it costs absolutely thousands. He probably doesn't have backup equipment either, which would be a major problem if something failed. All pro photographers have backups of everything.

If I can now get a bit more positive, the pro photographer I've got booked who is absolutely great, has packages starting from if I remember £395.00. You can find him here > www.photographybyriddell.co.uk

Having the latest and more expensive equipment does not make a person a photographer any more than having a fancy calculator makes me an accountant, I'm afraid.

I feel that somemetimes the amount of skill a photographer has is underestimated and overlooked, especially these days when things are truly difficult and many are buying digital cameras and setting up as professional photographers.

There are true pros out there for every budget, and my advice for anyone looking to have images they will treasure is to seek these professionals out. Recommendations go a long way. Not everyone can spend thousands on a photographer (or on anything), but although a friend's goodwill is always welcome, good intentions alone will seldom provide you with the result you deserve for your big day...

Good luck on your search. I truly hope that you will find a pro who is priced at a comfortable level for you, and your friend will be left free to enjoy your big day!

Andrea de Gabriel

See, right there is why I should be paying much more attention in class.

Check out Wedmeup on here, he's local to you and fits that bracket pricewise. Or email me via my main site, mention this thread and I'll do my best to assist.

Thank you all so much... you all backed up my fears and worries. I'm now on the hunt for a photographer!

And thanks Chris Giles Photography, if I get stuck I'll let you know!

Wish me luck...