When it comes to the budget, just where does the photographer fall in the list of priorities? In a sense, the photographer isn't part of the wedding at all; he is just there to record what happens.
A good photographer will do much more than that, of course: he will share the entire day with you, as intimately as your Bridesmaid and Best Man. He will help you create some of the most personal and lasting of those memories, especially during those moments when the Newlywed slip away from everyone else with their photographer. Often that is the first time they will have had to relax and draw breath in the whole, frantic day... which is why it often produces such wonderful images.
As weddings have grown in cost, wedding photography has actually become more affordable. Digital technology has helped, but so has our attitude towards what is "essential": the Wedding Planner, as a paid professional, was unknown a decade ago; the Cake has beome increasingly elaborate and expensive; the Reception has gone from a small gathering of friends at home, to a fully catered fiest at an International Resort. The cost of photography has actually gone down in proportion to the cost of the wedding.
Yes, there is plenty of scope in all this to trim back on expenses, and hundreds of advisors who can suggest how to make a wedding affordable. But apart from cutting down on the time your photographer spends at the wedding, how can you manage the photography costs better?
Here are some common suggestions:
1. Look for a photographer in close to the venue (or one who does not charge for travelling time).
Time is the big cost for the photographer, and for every hour taking photos, he will typically spend another 3 to 4 hours editing and preparing your final photos
2. Consider getting all your images on disk instead of in prints or albums.
Many photographers will not be willing to allow you to keep the picture files, but for those who do
may save you some money in the short term. Printing your photos later will cost you more even if you use a cheap, depatment store printing service and important work like spotting, colour balancing and correction will be lost... but it takes the pressure off until the bank balance recovers a bit.
But beware: many couples never get around to printing more than a couple of photos, never make up an album, and share hardly any of their memories with their family. It's just something about human nature, I guess.
3. Get family and friends to take the photos.
I did it (see my blog of June 7 2009) but it is second best; maybe a student photographer would be willing to have go for the experience or to build a portfolio.
Another approach is to ask friends and family for a Photo Gift Certificate: treat it like the Gift Register at the store, by putting it on your wish list. Instead of (another) toaster, the Gift Certificate can go towards to cost of your wedding photography.
I offer this service from $55 up to the full cost of the Wedding, and I am sure others must have similar schemes.
It is a particularly good idea for loved ones who cannot get to the wedding and who may never see the towels or dinnerware they oredered on-line from your catalogue.
When the gift they contribute towards is your wedding photography, it will last a lifetime, and they can share in it with you. And if you happen to choose another photographer, the voucher can still be used to turn a "prints on CD-only" service into an album, some framed prints or whatever you hoped you would be able to do later.
Practicaps Weddings can take your CD, no matter who took the pictures, and apply the voucher value to them... or you could save it up for a Christening or Anniversary picture.
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