I recently had the privilege of photographing one of my lifelong friend's wedding in San Francisco!
We stayed on the Presidio Officer's Club, an historic military-base that is now a protected national monument. The house we rented was built in the late 1800s, and the high ceilings and great selection of antique furniture made for some great photos!
Their wedding was at the Presidio Officer's Club, a gorgeous ballroom with great lighting and an adobe-style fireplace.
Good thing there were so many indoor places to shoot - it rained all day!
We did get a chance to grab an umbrella and do an outdoor shoot, as well as steal away a few rain-free moments outside before heading back in to enjoy the rest of the reception.
Congratulations Tara and Jason!
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In the current state of the economy, many brides are planning their wedding with a smaller budget in mind. Some aren't springing for quite as expensive as a dress, some are choosing to wed in the off-season to save money. But if they can afford it, many brides still choose to go with a professional wedding photographer. Why? It has happened time and again. A family friend offers to take the photos for a wedding and the day a bride has spent so much time planning either isn't documented in its best light, or isn't covered very well. And unfortunately, every once in awhile, that family friend who had no contract holding them to this obligation, doesn't show up at all.
By choosing to book a professional wedding photographer, you are ensuring that all those important people and personal details are going to be captured on film. It also means that all of the photos you receive are going to be color-corrected and touched up so you get a gorgeous set of photos to last you a lifetime. Here is a list of good reasons you should choose a professional photographer to document this once-in-a-lifetime event.
1. Contract, contract, contract. You have a written agreement with the photographer and know they will be at your wedding, rain or shine!
2. A worry-free day. If a guest accidentally knocks a camera over and breaks it, the photographer's insurance will cover it, not your wallet.
3. Their first priority is you. The photographer is there to capture your day first and foremost, unlike your family friend who might spend most of their time visiting with guests and enjoying the event.
4. They have the right gear. Professional photographers carry back-up cameras, batteries, extra memory cards and anything else to make sure your day is documented.
5. They know how to use it. A photographer knows their camera and how to use available lighting. They can troubleshoot each situation to make sure your photos turn out. Also, their experience means they know how to shoot your wedding and is comfortable doing it.
6. They follow a schedule. Meeting with a photographer ahead of time means they have your wedding day schedule and won't be in line for cake while you are throwing the bouquet.
7. Gorgeous photos. A professional photographer doesn't just take the photos, they do all the post-processing as well. Editing, cropping, color-correction, blemish removal - you name it, a professional photographer has taken the time to learn it so they can give you the best product possible.
8. Photos that last. Every photographer has a different way and length of time they store your photos, but know that your photos are going to be given to you in print or digital form and backed-up somewhere in case you lose them a week later.
9. A style that fits you. Because you are choosing the photographer, you can go with a style that suits you, whether is is photojournalistic, candid, traditional or a combination of the three. With a family friend, you might not get the style of photography you were hoping for.
10. Because they specialize in photography. Professional photographers are always practicing, taking classes, reading books, learning new software, updating equipment and surrounding themselves with the tools they need to be a great photographer for you.
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Are you looking for a wedding album that is a little more unique? You might want to opt for Ardolino Photography's Keepsake Album! You still get a fantastic, coffee-book style album, but the Keepsake Album also incorporates notes from your friends and family! A comments box and instructions are set up near your guestbook so that anytime before, during, or after the ceremony, friends can write a fun or memorable message to be included in your wedding album! The great thing is, you won't have to carry around your photos and your guestlist to get the full-effect of your wedding day!
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We have all heard the expression, "You get what you pay for." This saying can be applied to wedding photography as well. Now I am not saying that you won't get great photos unless you hire a photographer for $10,000, but I am saying that if you are looking for someone to cover your wedding day for $150.00, you had better be okay with the possibility that you won't get decent photos, if you even get them. For someone to be invested in your day, you need to be invested in them. As a wedding photographer, I develop a relationship with my clients and we have both invested a lot of time, money and planning into their event. I work full-time as a wedding photographer and I want you to have a fantastic experience and beautiful photos to remember your day. I won't go too into this, if you want some good reasons to go with a professional,
check out this previous post. What I want to share with you today is a photo taken by a guest versus a photo taken by a professional. The bride confirmed that she had originally thought she would just have friends take photos and put a disposable camera on each table and save money by not hiring a wedding photographer.
This one is from a disposable camera:
This is a photo I took of the girls at about the same time:
I was as happy as the bride that I was able to photograph her with a group of her friends - imagine if she only had the disposable pic to remember the moment! It wouldn't have captured the feeling and excitement of her wedding; the drab colors and grainy appearance really change the mood of the event and the way it is remembered. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy disposable cameras or have guests take photos — those photos give you several perspectives of your day! But entrust a professional to get the photos you are counting on to show to friends, family and future children!
So please, please choose a professional for your big day — speaking on behalf of all professional wedding photographers, we want to make sure you have a great experience during your wedding and photos to cherish and show off after it!
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I just finished an engagement session for a really fun couple, Julie and Mike! I have the honor of photographing their wedding this May, and the engagement session was a great way for all of us to get to know each other better! I love spending this time with the bride and groom before the wedding because I really get to find out what they like and more about the details of their big day!
Congratulations Julie and Mike!!!
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