Professional Wedding Photography - Is It A Must Have Or Can I Manage Without?

Some couples on limited budgets might question if they need professional wedding photography. Wedding photography packages can be expensive, and many couples might try to cut corners by paying the photographer only for his or her time and the proofs. If you are one of these couples, take heart. There are affordable wedding photography packages out there, if you take the time to look for them.

Professional wedding photography bring a lot to the table that may be hard to replace. The professional is an expert at capturing subtleties of expression and nuances of the environment. Your friend or relative may be reasonably skilled with their digital camera, but unless he or she has professional experience, it is likely that the person will miss some of the fine details that a professional photographer would capture.

Professional wedding photography is more important than you might think. A good professional will make the job look easy, because professionals know what they are doing and are trained to recognize what looks good and what doesn't. Wedding photography involves a lot more than pointing the camera at the bride and asking her to say, "Cheese". The photographer has to think about lighting, film speed, what lens or filter to use, and a multitude of other factors that go into making a great shot. The job isn't easy at all.

Couples who choose contemporary wedding photography, such as wedding photojournalism, may not feel that hiring a professional photographer is necessary for them. Their shots will be candid, not posed, and will reflect the day as it unfolds. They may feel that a friend or family member will be able to capture these shots accurately.

However, it is important to keep in mind that a friend or relative does not have professional detachment in regards to your wedding. He or she will experience emotions, personal drama, and the gamut of reactions that come with attending a large family event. It is possible that even the most well meaning friend will inadvertently miss some shots due to other things that are happening throughout the day. Additionally, the photojournalistic style requires that the photographer remain completely uninvolved in the unfolding situation. This is a difficult position in which to put someone who obviously cares deeply about you.

Affordable professional wedding photography is available from trained wedding photography professionals. If your budget is truly tight, you may want to hire a wedding photographer who has just started out on his or her own and is eager to build business. Many times, he or she will have been well trained as a staff photographer with a larger company prior to starting his or her own company. Be sure to ask for samples of the photographer's work, but do not write someone off simply because the business is new.

Also, consider hiring a wedding photography professional solely for his or her time plus the original media, forgoing expensive wedding photography packages. Explain to the photographer that you are on a tight budget and enlist his or her help in saving money.

If your wedding is extremely small and simple and you have a friend who is an excellent photographer, you may be able to get away with forgoing professional wedding photography. Otherwise, it is truly worth budgeting your money to pay for the skills of a professional. After all, the other elements of the wedding will be around for only one day. The photographs will last a lifetime.