PW Guide Article: How to get GREAT photography for your wedding!

FinnandDavid submitted an article for the Project Wedding Guide. This is a community article that you can edit too!



Feel free to comment on it here!

I have been a photographer for five years, and trained newbies in the business... this is what I "think" I know from being out there and listening to many other photographers.

*Bump* I'm really interested in what all you think of this?

I just posted a question about my epics, and reading this has just inspired me to make a decision. Thanks for sharing this!

*Bump* for the morning crowd!

there's no way i was going to be budget about my photog... no way!

there are a TON of "good" photogs out there - but the difference between a superb photog and a "good" is so subtle AND so obvious at the same time ... a good photog wont need to spend hours editing either - the shot is already good "in the can" prior to all the editing

moreover, i'ts been my experience that photogs have other projects other than weddings - magazine work, exhibits at museums, etc-- their art isnt limited to strictly weddings...  unless you're going with a "strictly wedding photog"...

as far as buying the rights - i see "our side" and the photog's side; essentially - it's their work product - the ownership of the image is theirs - they shot it and edited it. The fact that it is personal and our wedding still doesnt make it "ours".   Conversely, b/c it is our wedding and so personal (versus taking pics of scenery, etc) we should be able to distribute these images as we see fit.   Most photogs give us all the images anyway in this day in age...

lastly - i'd be cautious with craigslist; i'd urge brides and grooms to get recos via word of mouth first... there are too many "weekend warrior" photogs who *think* they are pros who advertise and a couple may be in for a rude awakending thinkin theyre getting a deal then end up with pics that Uncle Howard could have taken...   not saying you cannot find a good photog on CL, i'm just saying to be cautious...  in fact - there was a bride here who found her photog on CL - and was not happy at all with the end result.

thanks for sharing your thoughts!

right.....as a photog, you should NEVER give/sell the "rights" to images....you can give a "copy or print release" but you should ALWAYS maintain OWNERSHIP of these images...i hope that's what you meant.

Finn....do you have a blog or website we could see?  thanks!

Great article Finn, thanks for writing. I agree with trying out the budding photographers, as I am one myself. We really WANT to shoot your wedding and we pay attention to every detail. Some that have been in the business for a very long time get relaxed and I've seen the final result turn out not so great. I think you've covered everything and I hope this helps out all the wonderful girls on this forum and so they don't waste their money. Thank you!

Yes Finn I would love to see a website as well! We have so many talented ladies on here!

Hey girl! I finally found your article! lol

I think you made a lot of good points on how to save money if you can't afford a photog. :) I don't agree that all photographers are created equally, and that you'll get the same results from a student as you'll get from a photog who's been doing this for 20 years.

Our photog is world reknowned for his photojournalism and landscape photography so I know what you mean about weddings not neccessarily being their favorite. But his expertise has also gotten him awards for new approaches to wedding photojournalism and his portfolio doesn't lie! I know my bff photog student never in a million years could produce the shots that this guy takes. You have to have an eye for light and composition that takes years to understand entirely. Photography is an art. All of us can take a picture, but few of us can take a truly great picture and I wanted my wedding album to be a work of art. It's taking 50% of our budget to make it happen, but I'm confident that it will be worth the cost at the end of it all!