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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Great Wedding Photography On A Budget

By Charles Murray


A wedding is an event filled with special memories and capturing those with photography is an essential part of the day for most couples. The cost of traditional photography services, however, can be more than the wedding budget will allow. There are ways to reduce the prices of photography and still have quality pictures from that memorable day.

A professional photographer is often the first place to turn when planning a wedding. Couples need to remember though that the price of the photographs should always include the negatives. Many times the quoted price only includes prints of various sizes, sometimes with varieties of special effects such as softened edges. Without the negatives, the couple has to forever order reprints through the photographer, often at much higher rates. As years go by it might be more difficult to remain in contact with the photographer, but it still doesn't mean the couple is free to have the pictures copied. The photographer has copyright ownership of the photographs unless there is proof of another agreement. Most commercial photo studios will not duplicate professional pictures without a written release, and this can be very difficult to obtain.

When approaching professional photography studios, it is a good idea to ask for a discount package or even let the studio know that other studios are in the running for this project. Creating friendly competition for the wedding photography contract can work to the benefit of the couple by perhaps reducing costs.

Wedding couples don't have to compromise quality when trying to trim spending from the budget. The wedding day can be divided into smaller time frames, such as behind the scenes, family, the wedding party, the ceremony, and the reception. When each of these time frames are looked at individually the couple can find certain portions of the day where they truly want a professional photographer, and others where it is not a priority. Many professional photographers charge certain fees based on time involved so by reducing the number of hours required to be present during the overall day, costs can be reduced.

Couples can also look to their family members and friends as excellent amateur photographers who would be more than capable of taking pictures during the day. There might be a cousin who could take candid photos of the bridesmaids rehearsing their walks or an uncle dancing with the neighbor. Digital photography has advanced to a point where it is even easier because there can be instant verification of "good" pictures being taken.

Another way to have inexpensive pictures of the wedding day is to place disposable cameras at each reception table as part of the decorations and encourage guests to take pictures with them throughout the evening. The only costs involved are prices to purchase the cameras and the costs of developing the film. Some great pictures can be taken this way of small moments that the wedding party might not otherwise see.

Couples can save money on wedding photography by creating a social media or web page for the wedding day pictures. The printed wedding programs could even include a note requesting guests to take pictures and load them at a given web site. A virtual wedding album can be created and is a compilation of so many viewpoints from that special day.

Couples can also look to local talented amateurs for photography services. They usually charge less and are often willing to provide the negatives or digital files as well. Art students from local colleges or photography hobbyists are good options and the wedding couple can work with them as if they were a professional agency. Many amateurs have portfolios as demonstrations of typical work.

Hiring a wedding photographer does not have to break the wedding budget. Money can be saved without sacrificing the wedding photo album by thinking creatively and pooling resources with family and friends.




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