Friday, March 4, 2016

Why an Amateur Photographer for your WEDDING is a Bad, Bad Idea

“My uncle has a nice camera, he offered to photograph my wedding for me.” 

“My friend is trying to get in to photography and said she’d photograph my wedding for free.” 

“I don’t have it in the budget to pay for an expensive photographer.” 

All seem reasonable enough, and your uncle/friend/other non-professional person are only trying to help. They mean well—really. But this could be one of the biggest mistakes you’ll make when it comes to your wedding.

There’s tons of photographers to choose from, from amateur to professional. Some who are just starting out, others who’ve been in the business for years, and still others who are willing to do “favors” for your wedding day. Of all the things that you can choose an amateur for, photography is NOT the place to risk your wedding day on. After all, once the flowers have wilted, the cake has been eaten, and the dress has been put away, your photos (and videos) are the only thing left to help you relive the most important day of your life. Hiring a professional to capture these memories is probably the most important decision you can make when wedding planning. 

Below are my top 4 reasons to hire a professional photographer (and videographer) instead of an amateur:

Missed Shots
Professional photographers have photographed many weddings and know the general gist of how things will flow, and what important things to look for in each wedding. While every wedding is different, professionals are CONSTANTLY observing their surroundings to ensure they capture the essence of the day. While it’s technically impossible to get a shot of every single thing that happened that day, the professional will be sure to preserve the best memories for you. 

Quality
Professionals spend a lot of time and money on keeping their gear up to date and top of the line. This means they can work in almost any kind of lighting situations (low-lit churches? bright, sunny days? No worries here!) but an amateur photographer’s equipment may not be able to handle many of these situations, ESPECIALLY when the lighting is scarce. It takes high-quality equipment (and the knowledge on how to use it!) to capture events under different lighting situations. Oh, they bought the Canon Mark 5Diii? Shooting in “auto” mode will produce pretty much the same results as a low-end camera model if they don’t know how to work it.

Helpfulness
Professional photographers will ensure that your day goes smoothly, regardless of whether that’s in their “job description” or not. There’s been numerous times that I’ve had to deliver rings, pin boutonnieres, and handle situations that others may not be willing to do.

What they Can Offer You Afterwards

After the vows have been said and the last dance has been danced, a professional photographer busily gets to work on your photos. Photos, especially wedding images, are not meant to live on a CD or USB for the rest of your life. They’re meant to be displayed, shared, and put neatly in to an album. Sure, you can print from Shutterfly, but the quality will not be there, and who knows how long they will last. Professionals can offer your high-quality prints, canvases, albums, and design services than an amateur simply can not. These photos are meant to last your entire lives, and be passed on to your children and grandchildren. These memories deserve professional treatment.

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Next Week...
We're winding down on the weekly tips blog posts. Is there anything YOU still have questions on?? Email me!

About Blueprint Photography
Blueprint Photography is owned by Jamie Lapsley and located in Newark, DE. I photograph in the DE/MD/PA/NJ regions often, and have travel options available, as well. I've been photographing weddings for over 5 years, but studying photography for 15 years. I have a growing family, including my husband of five and a half years, my two year old daughter, Abby, and my soon-to-be-baby-boy, Liam! We have two dogs and two cats that love to greet brides and grooms at the door when coming for a consultation to discuss your wedding.

Get in Touch!
PHONE: 302-668-6058

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