the debate: should we hire a professional?

This famous issue among brides, wedding photographers, and mothers-of-the-bride all across the globe is one that has always hit close to home for me . . . your aunt/best friend/cousin/sister’s boyfriend just loves to take photos, is trying to get into the business of photography, and is willing to shoot your wedding for next to nothing, or better yet, even free. And I, my friends, have been on both sides of this fence. Here is my story, and here are my thoughts, to help you make your own decision, or to help you guide someone you know into making the best decision for them: 1. I once was the best friend/cousin/relative of a person who owned her first digital SLR camera and had an eye for taking decent pictures. I once was the girl who started a photography blog, hired a graphic designer to give me a professional-looking logo, and bought an internet ad with the hopes that someone would find me and give me a chance. And I booked my very first wedding this way, for a couple who had eloped to Big Sky, Montana, in the dead of winter and said their vows in the great room of their beautiful condo. My shoes were too loud, I ran into the floor heater trying to get a shot, my camera was not capable of shooting in low light, and I had no idea how to use my flash. The couple adored me and my photos and said they loved the idea of giving this photo opportunity to someone just starting out in the business. In other words, their expectations were low, and they were more or less looking for some sort of documentation of their day, regardless of how artful they were. I will always, always be grateful to them. 2. My rates were affordable to anyone and everyone who contemplated hiring an outside person to shoot their wedding. I started out at $500 for unlimited wedding day coverage, and slowly moved my way up to the $1,500 range, where I sat for a long time. I once was asked to arrive at 12:00 to shoot a wedding that started at 7:30 that evening. And because there will always be people willing to hire someone to simply document their day with no real expectations except to get a DVD of the images a few weeks later, I overbooked myself, fell into the referral category of “she’s wicked cheap!”, and grew to loathe shooting weddings. 3. Regardless, I was absorbing information like a sponge, soaking up every bit of camera, lighting and posing knowledge I could find, building a portfolio I was proud of, and wouldn’t be sitting here today typing this had it not been for me being that-girl-with-the-nice-camera-and-good-eye. 4. With this said, I have a soft spot in my heart for the girl-with-the-nice-camera-and-good-eye, and I want her to succeed. 5. With that said, my career as a photographer is now my career. Through trial and error, mistakes and success, this business is a 40-hour-per-week avenue for me that provides me the same comforts as someone who has a boss to answer to if they don't get to work until 8:20 every morning. It is extremely important to me, and just like every other industry out there, there will always be wonderful, talented newcomers who get the job or the clients you want. Over the years, I learned the value of my profession, time and talent, began to truly love my work again, and enjoy working harder than ever to give my clients the value of what they’ve chosen. But wait . . . there’s more! Without sounding like a pitchy salesperson, I now want to share with you, from a professional standpoint, the top three reasons I feel you should hire an established professional to document your wedding day: - Let your guests do what you invited them to do . . . relax and have fun. The novelty and excitement of “shooting a wedding” sometimes disappears when your photographer friend sees people she hasn’t seen in years, and wants to raise her own glass of Chardonnay to you during the beautiful toasts. - Up until your wedding day, there is a timeline to plan. And unless you have hired a wedding planner, your photographer becomes the go-to person during the planning and on the wedding day to help your day unfold effortlessly and without the stress of “What do we do next?!” and “Why isn’t anyone dancing?!” - THE MOST IMPORTANT reason in my book, because you still can get above and beyond the reasons above and still have a lovely day, is the quality of the products you will receive when all is said and done. Digital negatives are a given these days . . . everyone wants them, and everyone gets them. Photoshop knowledge is plentiful, and you may even get them retouched and color-corrected. But the quality of the prints and products you may want can only come from a professional lab that established photographers have access to. I could go on and on and on, but this post is long-winded as it is. Please know these are simply my opinions, and this is my story. I can’t stress enough that I have played both roles, and I wouldn’t have the business I have had it not been for the clients who chose to not hire a professional. I am simply writing this for those on the fence, to share a little bit of knowledge, and maybe help guide them to their best decision based on their photography wants and needs. And no matter who is there with camera in hand, the most important thing is that you enjoy every moment . . . it will be an amazing day!