Do you need a wedding photographer?

So, you’re planning your wedding and going through the list of what you need and what it’s going to cost you.  You wonder what to do about a photographer and if one is really necessary.  The truth of the matter is that the value and importance of an investment in professional wedding photography varies case by case.  Every couple’s specific needs are very different.  Some may need a photographer and some may not.

Photographic technology has come a LONG way in the past 10 years…even in the past 5 years!  When I went to school professionals were still shooting film, and that wasn’t so long ago.  Entry-level single-lens-reflex (SLR) cameras that you can pick up for a few hundred dollars are capable of much more than they used to be.  For some, having a relative or friend who has a “nice camera” shoot their wedding is an attractive option, but is it what you want?

As I see it there are two different categories of images; I call them pictures and photographs.  Pictures are in effect snapshots.  They don’t have a great deal to offer in the way of artistry or capturing emotions, but they do a good job of recording the day and most of the important events.  If this is what you want or can afford then by all means skip the photographer and save yourself some money.  This is becoming a more viable option for many.

On the other hand there are photographs; images taken by an experienced photographer (amateur or professional) that are more than just snapshots of the day.  The difference is sometimes hard to describe, but it’s not too difficult to tell the difference.  Photographs have balanced exposure and sharpness.  They aren’t too light, too dark or blurry (unless it’s for effect).  They record not only a moment in time, but ideally the feelings present in that moment.  A good photograph becomes an heirloom or centrepiece in a home that a snapshot does not.  This is the realm of the professional photographer (or advanced amateur).  If this is what you want you may be in the market for one!

Many people are unclear of the role of a professional wedding photographer or just what they’re paying for when they hire one.  This is kind of a separate issue and will be discussed in my next post.  However, suffice it to say that hiring a good photographer can bring a lot of peace of mind.  You know that your images will be great.  Digital photography has helped this a great deal as photographers can see their images as they take them and know if they need to re-shoot.  In the “old days” we didn’t know until the film came back how things turned out! 

So, do you need a photographer?  Maybe.  Decide what you need and expect from your wedding images, research wedding photographers in your area and make an informed decision.

Visit my website at: www.brentlaverphotography.com