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**snow_girl** · June 25, 2012, 11:07 AM

A few of my friends recently have gotten married and posted pics on fb. Some are awful. There are so many people out there nowadays that call themselves photographers only because they have an SLR and can take crooked photos. I think it is really important that you look at their portfolio before deciding on a photographer.

**lyonsgirl** · June 25, 2012, 11:35 AM

I agree with you, snow_girl. One of my friends got married about a month ago, and her photographer either edited them all or used the same filter on their cameras for the whole ceremony, because they all have this "vintage-y" look to them. It's great for some of them, but I wouldn't want all of my pictures to look like that! (I need variety, haha)

When my SO & I do finally start planning our wedding, I know that we'll spend a lot of time looking over a couple of things that are important to us. For him, it's the reception music. For me, it's the pictures. For us as a couple, it's the reception food. So when we get there, yes. Finding a good photographer will be important to me.

**Rach321** · June 25, 2012, 11:40 AM

For me, a good photographer is about the only think I can see spending a significant amount of money on. I don't want to put a bunch of money into a wedding, but I do want to gather everyone together, and I love to have photos to look back on as memory. Like lyonsgirl said, I do think it comes down to what is important to you.

My best friend just got married and cut costs a bit on a photographer by hiring a friend who is a nature photographer. I haven't seen the photos yet, but I was disappointed that he didn't take the kinds of shots I would want (more candid shots). Basically, he chose great spots at the locations the couple had chosen in terms of background, but he just had people line up in groups and took a few shots. I don't really care for those kind of photos. I didn't see him taking many pics at the reception, either. And I had to ask him to take photos of the decorations- he wasn't going to, even though the bride had specifically asked for certain things to be photographed.

At the same time, we had a lot of people with cameras there, so she has some good photos from them already. And one of the parents couldn't be there, so he hired a professional videographer that I think will do a beautiful job putting the video together. I'm excited to see that!

**princessmeg1328** · June 25, 2012, 11:51 AM

To me, the photographer was a very important part of planning my wedding. We're spending a lot of money on our photographer. I made sure to look over all of their pictures, and I asked them a lot of questions. I agree with the girls above who said that you have to decide what's important to you. If having nice pictures is important to you, you'll do whatever you have to to make sure you get the best pictures for you.

**Haley53** · June 25, 2012, 12:03 PM

I agree with everyone else. For me, I want a photographer and videographer, someone to put something together as beautifully and professionally as the videos and photographs that passed around Tumblr.

It's important to me simply because I already like to document everything, but I feel like a wedding is special enough to put money in for that special documentation of it, and like Rach, it's about the only thing I would spend a significant chunk of money on.

It's also probably the only area in which I'd be a Bridezilla.

**nicole** · June 25, 2012, 01:37 PM

I did a LOT of research on a photographer before I settled with mine. We picked our engagement photo photographer because he was cheap, and it showed. We got some good shots out of it at least, but if I had spent more money on him, I would have been very VERY disappointed. We decided not to do a videographer- I don't want to feel like I'm acting a different way for the camera, but I picked a photographer who's style I love, she does a lot of "reportage" shots as well as the posed shots that I want, and stays waaaaay clear of all the filters. She's also a lovely person, and made me feel at ease, which is also very important. My SO's best friend's photographer was rude and mean to people, then took over a year to edit all the photos! I'm glad I have someone who will be respectful and nice to everyone!

I am trying to keep my wedding not too expensive, so I'm cutting corners as much as possible (DIY confetti, table decorations etc) but the photographer was one of the only things I would not go cheap on. I want to have those pictures to cherish forever, and you can't go back and re-shoot them all again!

**floridaellen** · June 25, 2012, 04:35 PM

When the time comes to plan my wedding, I know the photographer will be one of the most important things to me. I'm a big picture taker myself, although I wouldn't call myself a photographer by any means. Like Eclaire, I like to document things. My prom photos even look semi-professional because of the location we chose. It's just one of those things I care about.

My friend's wedding was this past February. She didn't hire a professional photographer. She hired her cousin who has an interest in photography and a fancy camera. He took both posed and candid photos. They turned out beautifully. You wouldn't even know the difference. I don't think a good photographer has to be expensive but you have to click with them.

**Zephii** · June 26, 2012, 05:29 AM

It was pretty big for us. I got lucky and stumbled on a photographer on facebook - one who usually did engagement shots or documentary shots (like those heart wrenching world vision pictures

) - and as she had little wedding experience, we got a really good price. We also were able to opt out of paying for her to print any and didn't get an album (as we could make this ourselves) so saved money that way.

But, the photos are really the only thing (other than the rings and bloke) that you get to keep forever. They tell a story. And they are important because chances are the day will blitz past you and you'll hardly remember it - you'll want photos. - Good photos!

**Captivated** · June 26, 2012, 09:14 AM

A friend of mine who I went to high-school with is shooting our wedding in September. She has her own business now (even though it's still a side job) and she's only shot 1 wedding so far. But the reason I asked her was because her talent is beyond words. By photography standards, she gave us a great deal. I'm still a little nervous because this is only her second wedding but I have complete trust in her. Just hope she doesn't go crazy with the filters and Photoshop as well. I had a discussion with her...and even though I like her artsy photos, I'd rather have my photos toned down a bit. Crossing my fingers all goes well!!

**nicole** · June 26, 2012, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by Captivated View Post

A friend of mine who I went to high-school with is shooting our wedding in September. She has her own business now (even though it's still a side job) and she's only shot 1 wedding so far. But the reason I asked her was because her talent is beyond words. By photography standards, she gave us a great deal. I'm still a little nervous because this is only her second wedding but I have complete trust in her. Just hope she doesn't go crazy with the filters and Photoshop as well. I had a discussion with her...and even though I like her artsy photos, I'd rather have my photos toned down a bit. Crossing my fingers all goes well!!

Yeah I asked one guy if he uses a filter in all his shots, because every single one in his portfolio had the same faded edge filter and he just looked at me as if I was stupid and was like "Yes, of course". o_O No man, a few filtered shots are nice, but ALL of them? No No. The one I went with said all these Vintage filters which are fashionable now will probably make all your photos look really dated in the future if there are too many of them in your album.

**13000km** · June 26, 2012, 09:39 PM

We're still going back and forth on this one. On one hand pictures are VERY important to me, and I can get very picky about them. On the other hand I know he has some very talented friends. Whoever we go with hopefully will be open to a mock-shoot, so we can get a feel of their exact style and vision for our wedding.

We have decided that no matter our decision on photographers we are going to do a picture scavenger hunt, where a list of shots like Bride's mother, Groom's sister dancing, the couple with guests, etc. will be provided to the guests. A photosharing account will be set up for the guests to upload their pictures on and we may do prizes.

**lademoiselle** · June 27, 2012, 07:03 AM

I'd be prepared to invest a fair amount of our wedding money in a good photographer; it does matter to me to have a nice album to look back upon. While I'm hardly fond of having my photo taken, for an important day like this one I'd happily make an exception!

**snow_girl** · June 27, 2012, 10:51 AM

Stumbled upon this and thought it's a good example for getting references and seeing a portfolio before deciding on a photographer!

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/pic...ures-ever.html

**lademoiselle** · June 27, 2012, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by snow_girl View Post

Stumbled upon this and thought it's a good example for getting references and seeing a portfolio before deciding on a photographer!

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/pic...ures-ever.html

Now here's how it should be done!

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