Can't afford professional photographer! - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

Bobby'sBride08 · #1 08-06-2006, 04:10 PM

I've been doing some research on photographers in my are and I've come to the decision that we're not going to be able to afford a professional photographer or videographer with our very limited budget ($5000). I don't really have any friends who are amatuer photographers or anything. I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions as to how I can get some nice wedding pictures without spending a fifth of my budget?

Heather · #2 08-06-2006, 04:16 PM

Do you have any colleges in your area? If so, put up flyers around campus asking for a student photographer to take photos for a wedding.

You would treat them the same as you would a pro in that you should ask to see their work, etc. You could offer $500 to $800 if that's in your budget, and I know that in college, that would have fed me for two semesters.

You could also purchase disposable cameras and place them on each table with a note asking the people sitting there to take photos of each other. Buy or borrow a nice digital camera and ask a trusted friend or family member to take photos during the ceremony and maybe a few shots afterward. (You do want them to enjoy being there of course, without them feeling they're working for you for free.)

breezy · #3 08-06-2006, 04:59 PM

Our budget is much the same as yours. We were able to find a photographer starting out that had much lower prices than the traditional *wedding* photographer. We got a package that includes all day wedding, engagement pics, all copywrites, digital images on disc, and a computer display of the images through-out the reception. It was $1000. I was able to find several that were a bit less, but he was the one we really liked.
Also try Craigs List and like Heather said, local colleges; Alot of Brides have been able to find great deals that way.
I admit this was the most expensive thing we're paying for. But it was also important to us!
How important is photography to you?
As for video, if you have a camcorder, I would ask someone that you weren't planning on inviting to the wedding to film the event for you.

SuzyBride · #4 08-06-2006, 05:07 PM

I would definately check out any local colleges to try to find a professional in the making. Even a journalism student from a local high school. I was on the yearbook staff in high school and I managed to get some amazing shots and was asked to do a wedding for a teacher, ended up she found a cheap photographer, but still. Or do you have a friend that is always taking pictures anyway? You know, the one at the party that always has her camera? I would ask her!

Kim&Bob2004 · #5 08-07-2006, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzyBride

I would definately check out any local colleges to try to find a professional in the making. Even a journalism student from a local high school. I was on the yearbook staff in high school and I managed to get some amazing shots and was asked to do a wedding for a teacher, ended up she found a cheap photographer, but still. Or do you have a friend that is always taking pictures anyway? You know, the one at the party that always has her camera? I would ask her!

Yeah I agree. Also, let family and friends know whats up. One of them may think it would be great to give them as a wedding gift. We gave wedding pictures to my brother and his wife as part of their gift. Don't think it's someone getting off cheap in the gift department though. We bought professional quality film, Kodak Professional Portra 160 NC film which has a finer grain for enlarging. That film isn't cheap, just the film alone cost over $50 for 5 rolls, compared with buying 5 rolls of Kodak gold for under $10. But we got some really nice shots and the pro that we had develop them said that he and his wife do weddings and ours were good considering the conditions and if he would have taken them he would have charged upward of $2 k. Digital, IMHO, are great depending on the pixels, but nothing beats hard film. I love my trusty SLR traditional camera for "good Shots". If you have a friend with an SLR maybe even offer to buy the film to help cut costs, or ask them for the rolls afterwards and develop them yourselves. If digital, buy a large memory disk for them and ask for it afterwards so that you can develop them.

We had two armature photographers at our wedding. One has taken professional quality pics for years and used a high quality digital, the other I didn't even know took pictures until she offered to do ours with her traditional SLR. So you never know what might be lurking in your friends and families hobby chests!

DavidsWife · #6 08-11-2006, 10:53 PM

[quote=Heather].You could also purchase disposable cameras and place them on each table with a note asking the people sitting there to take photos of each other. QUOTE]

This is what David and I have decided to do!!! You will get so many amazing pictures, Everybody will have different shots of EVERYTHING!!!!

You can actually find disposable camera's specifically for this!!! They're pretty cute! But Iam not sure of costs!!!

Lets us know what you come up with!!!

555Ann555 · #7 08-11-2006, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidsFiance

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather

.You could also purchase disposable cameras and place them on each table with a note asking the people sitting there to take photos of each other.

This is what David and I have decided to do!!! You will get so many amazing pictures, Everybody will have different shots of EVERYTHING!!!!

You can actually find disposable camera's specifically for this!!! They're pretty cute! But Iam not sure of costs!!!

Lets us know what you come up with!!!

Are you having any other photography, or just the table cameras?

I keep meaning to get mine developed to see just how sucessful (or not!) they were...

breezy · #8 08-12-2006, 01:38 AM

If you do the disposables a cute idea is to put a "scavenger hunt" type list on each camera. This helps insure that you get the pics you want and not everyone is taking the same ones!!!

breezy · #9 08-12-2006, 01:46 AM

here a few images for inspiration

555Ann555 · #10 08-12-2006, 06:19 PM

I love the idea of the scavanger hunt! I wish I'd thought of that...
I just made sure that all the kids at our wedding (there was only 3) had their own camera with their names marked on it. That way they knew not to run off with the one to be used by the adults...

I didn't want 1000 rotten photos! But I didn't mind giving 3 cameras to keep the girls occupied

It went down really well with their parents too, coz it meant they weren't too bored.

breezy · #11 08-12-2006, 07:32 PM

Ann, That's a great idea too... something to keep the kids busy is AWESOME!!!

Kim&Bob2004 · #12 08-13-2006, 12:15 AM

We had like 6 or 8 disposable cameras and most of the pictures are just ok, many were fuzzy and dark...... don't rely on them for your total wedding pictures.

You could also ask everyone that does take pictures to send you copies too!

Summer07 · #13 08-16-2006, 09:13 PM

Like Breezy had said... check out colleges and Craig's List.

I found a DJ for $100 to play for 5 hours and a free personnal assistant on Craigslist.
Yes, I said FREE.

They are both just getting in the business and want to get their name out there. I think they will both do a great job for me because they want me to use them as referrals in the end. The personnal assistant has been so helpful already and I've only used her for a week. She has some great ideas. The DJ has referrals that I'm going to call tonight so we'll see how that goes. If not I found another guy that would charge me $300 for 5 hours.
Craigslist is something I would recomment to anybody.

AngelRoseFyre · #14 08-18-2006, 05:25 PM

I would also agree with the college student solution and the disposible cameras as well. My FSIL went to a wedding a while back where they gave the cameras out at the cerimony as well. And she got one of the best shots out of everyone (even the proffessional photographer). She isn't a photographer or anything like that, she just happened to be in the right place at the right time, with the right lighting and angles. So you never really know who will take the perfect picture and when.

AngelRoseFyre · #15 08-18-2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezy

here a few images for inspiration

That is a wondefull idea breezy, I can't read the scavenger hunt though what does it say (or at least some ideas, so I don't steal your idea). I think that could really be fun for alot of poeple.

breezy · #16 08-18-2006, 09:53 PM

gosh, I post ideas hear because I'm inspired by others, and to inspire others

feel free to *steal* an idea!!

I am your camera, so scavenge around. Hunt for those pictures that need to be found!
Shoot away and complete the list. Snap away as best as you’re able, then leave me here right at your table!"

( ) Group photo of everyone at your table
( )Photo of each family or couple
( )Bride and Groom holding hands
( )Groom watching bride from distance
( )Groom dancing with his mom
( )Bride and Groom’s first dance
( )Groom and bride laughing
( )Wedding Cake

( )Bride and Groom feeding each other cake

( )Groom playing with ring

( )Anyone making a toast

( )Biggest smile

( ) Group photo of everyone at your table

( ) Photo of each family or couple

( ) Groom and bride laughing

( ) Brides mother enjoying herself

( ) Bride and Groom dancing

( ) Grooms father dancing

( ) Anyone making a toast

( ) Bride and Groom cutting the cake

( ) Close up of table decorations

( ) Bride talking to a guest

( ) Groom talking to a guest

( ) Bride and Groom feeding each other cake

( ) Group photo of everyone at your table

( ) Photo of each family or couple

( ) Bride and Groom kissing

( ) Laughter

( ) Anyone making a toast

( ) Bride and Groom’s first dance

( ) Someone dancing with their mother

( ) Close up of table decorations

( ) Grooms mother enjoying herself

( ) Bride and Groom holding hands
( ) Bride dancing with her brother

MarthaA562 · #17 10-03-2006, 08:33 AM

I agree with contacting the colleges, but contact the professor and find out the BEST student they have... Also, if you have Craigslist that is pretty popular, you could do a posting under the want adds. My decease grandfather was a wedding photographer and I am astounded at the prices. I am actually using a guy that considers photography an art, has never done a wedding, but is also telling me that all I have to do is pay for the film, and it is up to me how much I want to compensate him... He does beautiful work... and I totally trust him. We are doing engagement photos this month, and he is so excited that he started buying wedding magazines!!! (I told him not to, he could borrow mine). Plus, growing up with a wedding photographer as my grandpa, I know how bossy they can be... But they need to be able to direct the crowd so you can have fun!!! Check out other photographers that don't necessarily specialize in weddings, you are more likely to get a better deal.

cm-photographics · #18 01-16-2007, 03:55 PM

Not sure if you have found someone yet, but $5000 is certainly a reasonable budget. In fact, you should be able to find photographers for much less than that, that is well established. While some might find it a good idea to find a "professional in the making", by hiring a college student, etc. However, keep in mind, you get what you pay for. One of the biggest differences between a college student, and a true professional, is going to be the equipment. Most professionals bring high end equipment that typically costs 8-15k. Personally, I pack about 25k worth of equipment with me. Now, I am not saying that expensive equipment will mean that you will get good images, or that less expensive will yeild bad images. However, it shows that the photographer has much more of a vested interest in their business, that they have been doing it for longer, and have had a lot more experience. This typically yeilds better photography.

If you want, check out my classified ad, or just check out my website at www.cm-photographics.com. I love to do destination weddings! Email me if you have any more questions at chris@cm-photographics.com

bm4ever · #19 01-16-2007, 04:45 PM

Cm - I believe she was referring to $5000 being her total wedding budget, not just photography.

BJC777SRL · #20 01-16-2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breezy

If you do the disposables a cute idea is to put a "scavenger hunt" type list on each camera. This helps insure that you get the pics you want and not everyone is taking the same ones!!!

Yeah this is a good idea. My cousin got married last July, and for the reception she only did table cameras, but she then ended up with 80% of the pictures being their first dance! She wishes she had done it differently...like pass out more cameras throughout the evening or something.

Jiejie · #21 02-07-2007, 08:15 PM

How important is it to you to have a lot of photos? My solution is that we're having a professional do pictures of the ceremony and several formal shots afterwards (family, bridal party, etc.), but he won't be coming to the reception. For me, this works, because I don't want to spend 3 hours posing, and I don't feel like I need 700 pictures to sift through. Also, it'll be a lot cheaper. I'm also planning on disposable cameras on the tables, and I have several friends and family members who'll be taking pictures during the ceremony, but it won't be overbearing, since they're guests.

Definitely check out craigslist and local colleges, and even try calling your local newspaper and see if they have a photographer on staff who might be willing to do your wedding. The photos would be a more "journalistic" style, probably, but that could be fun, and possibly cheaper than a specifically wedding photographer!

tnbride · #22 02-07-2007, 08:55 PM

At my hairdresser, there is this lady who does photography on the side for weddings and stuff, I was kind of skeptical at first but we went and saw her pics and they were SOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!She is awesome and its unlimited pics and hours for $750!!!We were looking at one that was $1750 for a certain amount of pics and hours...and that is wayyy expensive!! So yeah ask around and stuff!

syringa · #23 02-07-2007, 11:12 PM

In addition to college students, some college faculty and high school photography teachers will photograph weddings. Also check with your local newspaper. In my area some of the newspaper photographers do weddings on the side and they are particularly good at getting candid photos. Just be sure that you view the person's portfolio before you commit. Someone that can photograph a track meet, for instance, may not know how to photograph a bride in her gown in a manner that gives you quality photos.

CMK · #24 03-04-2007, 02:55 PM

Try posting a "gig" on www.Cragslist.com." It's free!

Maryann Caravaglia · #25 03-12-2007, 06:16 PM

Hello everyone,

Try looking in the classified or Bridal Section of your local newspaper for inexpensive photographers.

Look for photographers that work out of their home. If they
don't have a studio they will not have the high overhead costs
associated with one. So hopefully their prices will be lower.

Also go to the smaller bridal shows in town. The inexpensive
photographers can't afford to be in the large highly publicized
bridal shows. The large shows usually cost over $400.00 just to
have 1 table at.

Good luck with your wedding plans.

Maryann