A wedding is an event filled with special memories and capturing those with photography is an essential part of the day for most couples. The cost of traditional photography services, however, can be more than the wedding budget will allow. There are ways to reduce the prices of photography and still have quality pictures from that memorable day.
Hiring a professional photographer is one obvious option for those planning a wedding. It is imperative though that when discussing various plans with photographers that the cost of the negatives are included in the estimate. Often a photographer will present plans which include prints of various sizes and with varieties of special photographic effects, such as tinting or shading. If the negatives are not included in the package, every time a copy of a picture is needed or wanted the couple has to order them through the photographer at a much higher rate than a standard copying fee. If years pass by and the photographer can't be found, it does not mean that the couple can have the pictures reproduced by anyone else. The photographer holds ownership of the picture rights unless there is proof of another agreement. Most photo studios will not make copies of professional pictures unless there is a written release, and even this will not always be enough.
When approaching professional photography studios, it is a good idea to ask for a discount package or even let the studio know that other studios are in the running for this project. Creating friendly competition for the wedding photography contract can work to the benefit of the couple by perhaps reducing costs.
There are other ways to save money on wedding photography without compromising quality. The wedding day can be divided into smaller blocks of time, such as preparations, family photos, the wedding party, the couple, during the ceremony, cutting the cake, and the dance. There might be certain times during the day when a professional photographer is needed more than others. Some couples might want to capture the cutting of the cake but do not need to have photos of every guest at dinner. The costs of the photographer should be reduced when less time is required of him to be a part of the day.
Couples can also look to their family members and friends as excellent amateur photographers who would be more than capable of taking pictures during the day. There might be a cousin who could take candid photos of the bridesmaids rehearsing their walks or an uncle dancing with the neighbor. Digital photography has advanced to a point where it is even easier because there can be instant verification of "good" pictures being taken.
Another approach to getting some fun and inexpensive pictures of the wedding day is to place disposable cameras at each table and encourage guests to use them throughout the evening, then return them to the tables or a designated basket. The only costs involved are buying the cameras and developing the film, and the pictures might capture memorable moments that the bridal party and professional photographer might have missed.
Couples can save money on wedding photography by creating a social media or web page for the wedding day pictures. The printed wedding programs could even include a note requesting guests to take pictures and load them at a given web site. A virtual wedding album can be created and is a compilation of so many viewpoints from that special day.
If family members and friends are not able to provide some of the photography at the wedding, the couple can search for local talented amateurs who are able to provide photography services for less and are most likely willing to provide the film or digital files as well. The wedding couple can look for art students or photography hobbyists and work with them as they would work with a professional agency. A good way to ensure the quality of work is to hire an amateur for the engagement picture and put the wedding photography contract contingent on the results of the wedding photographs.
Saving money on wedding photography can be done and it does not have to be at the expense of the photo album. If couples think outside the box and are creative in their approaches there are sure to be more than enough wonderful pictures of the wedding day.
Hiring a professional photographer is one obvious option for those planning a wedding. It is imperative though that when discussing various plans with photographers that the cost of the negatives are included in the estimate. Often a photographer will present plans which include prints of various sizes and with varieties of special photographic effects, such as tinting or shading. If the negatives are not included in the package, every time a copy of a picture is needed or wanted the couple has to order them through the photographer at a much higher rate than a standard copying fee. If years pass by and the photographer can't be found, it does not mean that the couple can have the pictures reproduced by anyone else. The photographer holds ownership of the picture rights unless there is proof of another agreement. Most photo studios will not make copies of professional pictures unless there is a written release, and even this will not always be enough.
When approaching professional photography studios, it is a good idea to ask for a discount package or even let the studio know that other studios are in the running for this project. Creating friendly competition for the wedding photography contract can work to the benefit of the couple by perhaps reducing costs.
There are other ways to save money on wedding photography without compromising quality. The wedding day can be divided into smaller blocks of time, such as preparations, family photos, the wedding party, the couple, during the ceremony, cutting the cake, and the dance. There might be certain times during the day when a professional photographer is needed more than others. Some couples might want to capture the cutting of the cake but do not need to have photos of every guest at dinner. The costs of the photographer should be reduced when less time is required of him to be a part of the day.
Couples can also look to their family members and friends as excellent amateur photographers who would be more than capable of taking pictures during the day. There might be a cousin who could take candid photos of the bridesmaids rehearsing their walks or an uncle dancing with the neighbor. Digital photography has advanced to a point where it is even easier because there can be instant verification of "good" pictures being taken.
Another approach to getting some fun and inexpensive pictures of the wedding day is to place disposable cameras at each table and encourage guests to use them throughout the evening, then return them to the tables or a designated basket. The only costs involved are buying the cameras and developing the film, and the pictures might capture memorable moments that the bridal party and professional photographer might have missed.
Couples can save money on wedding photography by creating a social media or web page for the wedding day pictures. The printed wedding programs could even include a note requesting guests to take pictures and load them at a given web site. A virtual wedding album can be created and is a compilation of so many viewpoints from that special day.
If family members and friends are not able to provide some of the photography at the wedding, the couple can search for local talented amateurs who are able to provide photography services for less and are most likely willing to provide the film or digital files as well. The wedding couple can look for art students or photography hobbyists and work with them as they would work with a professional agency. A good way to ensure the quality of work is to hire an amateur for the engagement picture and put the wedding photography contract contingent on the results of the wedding photographs.
Saving money on wedding photography can be done and it does not have to be at the expense of the photo album. If couples think outside the box and are creative in their approaches there are sure to be more than enough wonderful pictures of the wedding day.
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