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Tip Store: Weddings: The Photographs
Hire a Local Photographer
Wedding photographers can cost an absolute fortune - I'd recommend asking to speak to a photographer from you local paper or the like - they can take all the pics and are professionals....then they'll give you a CD of all the photos and you will own all of them! Then you can take the CD into a photographer to get an album made up...this will save you $1000's!
- Contributed by Kelli Both, 28th June 2010
- Contributed by Kelli Both, 28th June 2010
Beautiful Photos for Less
Back in 1999 I was given my first digital camera as a gift. I'm no professional by any standards, and prefer to be called an Enthusiastic Amateur. Due to my keen photographical nature, I was once asked to shoot a friends wedding. She was extremely prepared with an album of photo's cut from magazines that she thought were what she was looking for (just as I'd asked). I insisted on attending the rehearsal to see what the site was like, and also picked a Botanical gardens close by to view for some after the celebrations photo's. Angela was over the moon with the 1000 odd photo's I took for her at no charge. I gave her what she'd prepared, and some fun ones as well. I printed nothing, preferring that she pick her own prints on her return from her honeymoon. Her Wedding Scrapbook is still a work in progress nearly 2 years later, but she's had a baby since. Now I've had no formal training, I'm just a terribly keen amateur and I'm not the only one out there. So, ask your friends if they know anyone who has the same passion, someone attending a TAFE course or find a freelance photographer as professional photographers will charge a lot more and you may not get exactly what your after. With some preparation on your part, you will get the photo's you want fairly cheaply. Make sure you are specific with details, and make sure your photographer understands what your after - it's your wedding after all. Most amateurs will do it for the experience, most freelance for a smaller fee than the professional. There are many fantastic photographers on groups within places like MSN, Photobucket, Flickr etc who would only be too happy to broaden their horizons and assist you on your special day. These lasting memories should be taken by someone you can trust to do a good job because you've prepared them for exactly what you want. Make sure you see some work they've done prior to saying "I Do" which isn't necessarily a wedding ~ you'll be able to see if they've got what your after. It's always good for you and them to 'get a feel for it' at your rehearsal as well. Once your special day is over, there is no going back, so ensure you'll be happy with the results beforehand.
- Contributed by Tracey, Rochedale South, 4th September 2008
- Contributed by Tracey, Rochedale South, 4th September 2008
Practice with the Photographer
A word of caution about using friends as photographers/videographers etc. My parents only have one photo of their wedding because the friend they used (back in the early 70's) mucked up all but one photo. There were fingers over the lens, heads and shoulders cut off, blurry images etc. That is the one thing they regret not paying someone to do - they were on a really tight budget which was basically zero dollars. For my wedding, we used a photographer but used our video camera set up on a tripod at the ceremony and a friend using it for us. Our wedding video is mostly of the best man and page boy because someone bumped the video camera while passing. If you are going to use a non-professional, try doing some trial runs before hand for practice. Especially if they will be using your camera. Perhaps they could do your 'engagement' photos - at least if they don't work out, you can re-do them with little worry. This way, you can also experiment with different films, shot styles and locations and stuff.
- Contributed by Maryann, 17th January 2006
- Contributed by Maryann, 17th January 2006
Really Good Wedding Photographer
I found a really good photographer for our wedding. Her name is Kelly and her business name is Studio Diva (ph. 0409169507). She has different packages, we paid $995 for a package where we got every photo taken on the day in an album.....we have 350 photos. Our wedding was two years ago so her packages may have changed. Otherwise, you could put an ad up at the unis where people are majoring in photography and see if they can do a deal for you.
- Contributed by Melissa, Camberwell, July 6th, 2006
- Contributed by Melissa, Camberwell, July 6th, 2006
Using Uni Students Saves Hundreds of Dollars
Have you tried Uni students, many of them are very good and it gives them practice and is a fraction of the price of professionals. We have done this for family photos and were really happy with the results, many uni students have work to show you as well so you can see what their photos are like.
- Contributed by Kay, Salisbury East, July 6th, 2006
- Contributed by Kay, Salisbury East, July 6th, 2006
Save on Photographer with Family and Friends
Ask family and friends to take the photos for you, in this day and age practically everyone has a digital camera and what used to be pot shots now turn out to look fabulous. You will save on the expense of hiring a professional and the great thing is you will have your pick of the ones you like and don't like, plus if more than one person agrees to help you out you will have a wide selection to choose from. Develop them at a do it yourself kiosk and you can create enlargements for a fraction of what you would pay a professional for.
- Contributed by Candice, Kilmore, July 5th, 2006
- Contributed by Candice, Kilmore, July 5th, 2006
Use Student Photographers and Guests for the Best Shots
Sometimes up and coming photographers at TAFE colleges or Unis are looking for extra work and experience and would be much cheaper than other photographers. Also buy a heap of disposable cameras and hand them to guests to take those candid shots that would normally not get taken by the photographer. Many good memories can be captured by one of your guests not just the photographer! - Contributed by Teresa, Yamanto,July 5th, 2006
Frugal Wedding Photgraphs
A big wedding expense can be the photographer.Some of the best wedding photos I have seen were taken candidly by guests. You can still get beautiful photos by enlisting the help of friends. Make sure you have one or two people delegated to take the important shots at the ceremony etc. Buy up your film each week so you have a stock of it when the day arrives. Keep a look out for processing specials and 2 for one vouchers. Also the idea of having wedding cameras on the tables is great. Disposable cameras can be picked up quite cheaply with some supermarkets doing their own brands. Decorate the cameras by covering the cardboard outers with some pretty paper and ribbons and put one on each table. Make sure you have someone who's job it is to pick them up. Then once the event is over have them processed yourself. Professional photographers charge alot - thousands - and they expect to be fed! Also they expect you to order a minimum amount. If you know people with digital cameras even better! You can delete the shots you dont want and then have them loaded on to disk. You family and friends can veiw your photos on your computer then make an order for prints in bulk. The more you order the cheaper it gets and you can do it at your leisure. Best of all no huge photography bill when you get home from your honey moon.
- Contributed by Susan, Somerville, 22 April, 2005
- Contributed by Susan, Somerville, 22 April, 2005