Are Wedding Photographers worth it?

Are Wedding Photographers Worth It?

There is a saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.  I have been photographing close to 500 weddings by now and I have noticed a similar truth when it comes to photography. I believe photography is subjective – just like beauty, what one person finds beautiful another may not. So, my question to you is, what is important to you?

I used to give the ‘don’t use Uncle Bob’ as your photographer speech but then I realise, we all put a different value on different things. Some people will absolutely love Uncle Bob’s photos, but then other deeply regrets it. If you think you will regret asking Uncle Bob, then read on.

If you only just started planning your wedding and maybe you are the first in your group to get married, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by how much it cost to have your dream wedding. One of the most expensive items on your list is: The venue, The catering, the Photographer. My advice is, take a deep breath, and know there is more than meets the eye and all that contributes to the size of the packages. This is often when compromise can slip in so that the budget can work out without causing stress levels to rise. Questions might cross you mind, like; “Getting all this even worth it?”.

For some reason, if budgets must be cut, the photographer is usually one of the first to go and the uncle Bobs proposal is back on the table. Even so, it is a second choice, and the risk of disappointment is much higher. So how do I convince you to hire a wedding photographer is worth it?

Here are my 10 top reasons why hiring wedding photographers are worth it.

1. They really know what they are doing. They can work under pressure, remains creative and can problem solve (if that ever happens).
2. They live 10 steps ahead of Uncle Bob. They are heavily invested in their business, which is their livelihood. Therefore, they use top professional gear, state of the art technology, and stay topped up in training.
3. They really love people. They know how to handle people, not just because of a natural love for people but through lots of experience.
4. They know how to pose you and anyone in your family. They know how to photograph any shape or size or age to bring the best out of them.
5. They have back up gear. If something happens to the gear, no worries, they have a backup.
6. They can read light. They know to bring the magic of light into the scene. It is not all about Photo shopping but shooting right in camera from the word go.
7. They see everything and capture it. They tend to be incredibly observant and see even the little things.
8. They have incredible editing skills, so the final photography is delivered at great quality and looks amazing.
9. In the end, your photographs are all you will have. It is like good old wine, the value increase as the years rolls by. One day your wedding photos will be displayed next to your grandchildren’s wedding photos. Let that thought sink in …
10. Finally, your friends and family (including Uncle Bob) can relax and enjoy your wedding as a guest.