500 Wedding Ideas

What do you think is better for your wedding photos, a professional or an enthusistic friend?

Hello, Do you think it's better that your wedding photos are taken by a professional photographer or by a friend (or associate) with a keen interest in photography? Thanks, Tom

Public Comments

1. A pro. At least you could sue if they turned out wrong
2. a professional. it may cost you more but this is your wedding and the most memorable time of your life you need alot of pictures & not just alot but good photos that can capture every detail
3. It's a lot to ask of a friend, and what will you do if the photos don't turn out great? Your friendship could be jeopardized because of it, and it's not like you can go back in time and redo your pictures. Of course, if you are not too concerned or have seen your friend's work and love it, you could do it. However, if they don't have professional photography equipment, I would say no.
4. I suppose it comes down to expenses and expereince... A professional Wedding Photographer will cost a lot. But the ones I have seen, always seem to be on the go at weddings. They have to be able to have the skill to take nice photographs very quickly, so as to capture the moment. They will also have very professional equipment so the quality of the photos will be a lot nicer. They have also had the experience of working at many weddings before, so they know just how to capture particular wedding shots. A friend with a keen interest in photography on the other hand might not be as experienced, and the quality of the photos might not be as good as ones that were professionally done, and they might not be as quick to take a photo because they do not know exactly what they want in regards to how they are going to capture it etc. But a friend is going to be a hell of a lot cheaper, and the photographs will be more personal. For someone with a keen interest in photography, it really shouldn't be too difficult for them to take a really nice photo.
5. I would feel better with a professional. They are there to work and you have a contract signed with everything spelled out that you both agree on. A friend should be able to enjoy the wedding as a guest. If they are taking photos the whole time (or even just a fraction of the time), they aren't able to do that. If there is any miscommunication or the pictures don't turn out as you'd like, you can easily have a friendship on the rocks which would have been prevented if you had gone with the professional. Some amateurs actually turn out better pictures than quite a few pros and they don't destroy them with bad Photoshop and other artsy effects. But it depends on the style you want. If the friend doesn't have a portfolio, then you have no way of knowing beforehand what they will look like afterwards like you can with a pro who has several books of past weddings and other events they have photographed. Your photos are the only thing you will have left at the end of the day other than your new spouse. If they don't turn out how you like, you can't have another wedding to recreate them.
6. Hands down, a professional. Wedding photography is the hardest there is, and though an enthusiastic friend may be good, they just won't cut it unless they know HOW. And no...you can not sue a photographer if the photos don't turn out the way you want them too.
7. I'm using a friend. It's cheaper for one but more important they will most likely be more sensitive to your needs and wants, not to mention they will know you better and will have better insight on the posing styles that you'd like the best!
8. Professional: Advantages: Gauranteed Great Pictures Disadvantages: May cost more Friend: Advantages: Cheaper Disadvantages: Friend wont be in pic, Pictures may not be as good
9. A professional! This for two reasons: an 'enthusiastic' friend may not be very good at photography and may not even own Photoshop let alone know how to use it to make you look your best, and a friend would rather be a guest than spend the entire evening working.
10. ive been to so many weddings, and i liked taking pictures of everybody,..but at my cousins wedding, he wanted me to take some pictures on the side, but he also had a small professional crew there, to take the main shots of everyone together,..but after the wedding, they only wanted the pictures that i took and didnt buy any from the professional crew, because they didnt take any pictures of friends and family together,..(and i thought i didnt do that good) i took pictures of both sides of the family laughing and eating together, people picking their noses, and makeing faces behind my cousins back(in a funny way), some of the pictures were kinda blurry.... but all the pictures of there wedding at their house were the ones i took..so i think the way to go is have both if possible,..so that way the big group pictures are nicely done. but heck, if i ever find a Gal in my life, im going to get all the kids i can find to take pictures
11. If possible have both, that way you get a greater variety of pics to choose from. Also, they will bring a different perspective to give you both more formal & informal photos.
12. Your wedding photos are one of the most important things concerning your Big Day. They represent the history of that day, and the day really does go by so fast. You will find yourself looking at them again and again over the years. So, do whatever you can best afford. If you can afford a professional, it's worth every penny. If you can only afford an amateur, at least make sure they have a good camera, and make sure this is someone who is responsible enough that you can get get the photos back after the wedding. Lot of couples have photographers disappear on them or never get back their photos.
13. I used to work as a wedding photographer. If your friend has a good DSLR camera and is very competent with Photshop etc, and will only charge novice fees. Then why not use your friend. Most wedding photography is fairly basic stuff, high end photographers only do high brow weddings, as wedding photography is considered a rubbish job in the photography world. Most very good photographers would soon move on up to more interesting work. Where would your friend get the images printed? Most novice photographers would not know which labs are used by retailers. Only a small number of labs bother to produce good prints with the latest kit. (don't use home photo printers, as the prints will fade over time and the prints will never be as good as the best labs).
14. If I were you i would check out some of the pictures he has taken with your fiance' and see what she thinks...
15. A professional. They are more experienced, they take really good shots and they can do touch ups to remove any blemishes or imperfections in your pics. Its your day, follow your heart. You can't please everybody.
16. A professional. If the associate wants to take pictures that is great. But, that is what they want to do on their own dime, not yours. And, with a professional, if anything goes wrong, at least you can get your money back and because they were nothing but a business deal, you do not have to worry about ruining whatever friendship or relationship you had with this person.
17. A professional, no question. A professional will edit all of your pictures, he does it all the time so he knows the correct angles, lights, and poses. He will give you a more professional display of the pictures for you to look at after wards. Also I have always found that its not good to mix friends in with this kind of thing, it could end up going really bad and ruining a friendship if he in any way messed up the pictures or didn't take enough or if they just didn't turn out the way that you wanted them to. Go with a professional! This is your wedding day, besides the marriage the pictures are the only thing you take with you from this day!
18. Does your friend have a portfolio of pictures taken? I would have to see how the pictured have turned out in the past for me to 'hire' him/her. If you see the pictures taken before and you love them then sure thing! If they are so-so then go with a professional.
19. As someone who is getting married a less than a month, and whos fiancee is a professional photographer.... I say without a doubt, go with a professional photographer. Its not just the day-of work that you're paying for. With a professional photographer, you're paying for the photo processing afterwards which includes (but not limited to): retouching photographs, playing with lighting/colors to make the photos perfect, and putting together an album. Here's a perfect example: My fiance recently shot a wedding and the groom had a HUGE grasshopper on his shoulder throughout the whole wedding ceremony. He had the time and expertise to carefully remove the bug from all those photos -- and there were a lot! If you didn't see the before picture, you'd never know the difference! Also, if its someone you know outside of your wedding plans, you may end up holding a grudge if the photos don't turn out just right. Its your wedding, you don't want to feel like you missed out on documenting your memories. There are a lot of things that come with experience too. Wedding photography isn't just the posed wedding party photos. Its the candid photos that show the whole vibe, and atmosphere of your wedding. You need a professional photographer with a real eye for this and experience. To gracefully decline your friend's offer, simply say that you don't want him/her to have to "work" at the wedding, and that you got a recommendation for a professional photographer who has all the necessary equipment/time (even if you really didn't). Beyond that, if your friend would like to take photos in addition to your photographer, I would say by all means go for it!