Image by Kendal Anne Photo. Planning by Wildly Collective. Keep scrolling to see why you should hire a professional wedding photographer
When it comes to wedding planning, we know how many moving parts are required to make the day of your dreams come true. From venue to dress to decor, it can quickly add up. There are many different ways to balance your wedding budget, but skipping out on a professional wedding photographer isn’t one we recommend.
While it may seem like an easy way to cut costs, opting for a free or cheap photographer or skipping out on one altogether is a mistake that you’ll likely regret for the rest of your life. Our mission here at Junebug is to help you have the wedding of your dreams, and that includes having every magical moment captured. But in order to do so, you need a pro, so we’re here to give you six reasons why hiring a professional wedding photographer is a worthwhile investment.
Why You Should Hire A Professional Wedding Photographer
Image by Kayla Fisher Photography
1. They Spend The Time Getting To Know You
Wedding photographers are so much more than a wedding vendor–they often become friends. When you hire the right one, you spend the time getting to know them during your engagement photos, wedding planning sessions, and the wedding itself. They do everything they can to make even their most camera-shy couples comfortable in front of a camera.
2. They Have Experience
Professional wedding photographers have something that others don’t–experience. You’re paying for their time and commitment, you’re also investing in a photographer who will use their equipment, attention to detail, and the professional eye that they’ve spent years perfecting. They know exactly how to shoot every detail–from the first look to the firework farewell.
It might seem like anyone with an expensive camera can do the job, it’s not the gear that does the work. It’s the person that creates the art. They understand lighting, posing, composition, editing, and more. A fancy camera can’t do the work of a professional. Hiring a professional will lead to consistency in your whole gallery rather than just one or two stunning photos you’ll want to hang on your wall.
Image by Jessica Jones Photography. See more of this real wedding here.
3. Seriously, That Experience Makes A Difference
They also have experience with delicate situations. As a guest, a wedding is a carefree, fun evening. As a wedding vendor, anything can change with a moment’s notice. Professionals are prepared for whatever may come their way. From a relative taking iPad photos during your ceremony to tough family dynamics that you don’t want to worry about on your wedding day, they can handle it.
Think about it, if your photographer misses the first kiss, that moment is gone forever. The trained professionals are accustomed to these stress levels and can quickly adapt to whatever is happening around them.
4. Photographs Are All You Have
At the end of the day, while you do have the memories, the photos are all you have left in showcasing those memories for the rest of your life. Flowers wilt. Champagne loses its fizz. The lights in the venue turn off. The photographs will stay with you.
You’ll be able to share the high-quality images online and display them in your home. Eventually, you can pass them down to your children, grandchildren, and other future generations. Make sure they’re worth it.
Image by Haley Hawn Photo. See more of this real wedding here.
5. You Won’t Have To Worry About Straining Relationships
While it may be tempting to bring on a friend–or a friend-of-a-friend–to shoot your special day, you run the risk of straining your relationship if the experience goes poorly. Whether they hold a grudge against you for asking them to do the work for free or at a discounted rate, or you’re not happy with the results, it’s not worth ruining friendships over. Plus, if they’re a true friend, you want them to be able to enjoy the day with you!
6. You’ll Be Able To Enjoy The Day
A professional wedding photographer won’t require any hand-holding. They don’t need a shot list, they know when to arrive and what to wear, they’ve discussed essential details with you before the wedding day, they’ll have a plan B–and C–should they run into an emergency, and the list goes on. Your wedding photos will be the last thing you have to worry about because they have your back. You can spend your time soaking up the feeling of being newlyweds.
Image by Jelani Lebourne. See more of this real wedding here.
7. You’re Paying For More Than Just Wedding Day Coverage
Along with the value of a photographer’s knowledge, prices also include the cost of their equipment, insurance for their gear, and liability insurance should something happen to them or you during the wedding.
They also spend hours hand-selecting photographs from the thousands of images they shot during the event to edit and put together in an organized gallery that’s easily accessible to you and other family members. Imagine if someone asked you to do countless hours of work for free? No thanks.
Now that we’ve discussed why you should hire a professional wedding photographer, use these six tips to help you choose the best photographer for you and your future spouse!
Image by We Are The Bowsers. See more of this real wedding here.
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