"Good Camera", BAD Photos!

So I am about to get really passionate here, maybe almost "rant-like" but I'm going to be truthful about something that really resonates with me.
While those who are close to me, know how much I value skills, talent, education and experience, I also know how important it is to pay for what you get.

A quick show of hands here-how many people would hire a Lawyer whose office was a cardboard box?

Didn't think so.

Last week I had quite the conversation (almost lecture if you will) with a close friend who is newly engaged, over hiring a "friend with a really good camera" vs. hiring a professional photographer.
(Just to be clear here-I am not talking about hiring a friend that is in the biz-I am talking about the hobbyists who don't do photography for a career, have a good camera but no extensive background in photography.)

While I listened, points were made that this "friend" had a bit of experience, and that they have to stay within a budget, it seemed like the best option for them to go with.

When it was my turn to speak, I finally asked the golden question;
"Has he ever done a wedding before?"

Guess what the answer was?? {Insert not-so-shocked-face here.}

"No." was the dreaded (but expected) answer I received.

THANK YOU!! {Me with BIG smile :)}

Now here is my chance to drive it all home:
While I understand it may seem like a good option at the time, to ask a "good friend with a really good camera" here are the pitfalls:

• You are first and foremost adding undo pressure onto to your "really good friend". You are assuming that they would (or should) feel honoured to shoot your wedding, when the truth is, if they are such a good friend, then they would much rather be enjoying the night themselves rather than chasing you around and making sure he captures every second of your day.
• Speaking of your friendship, what happens if the pictures aren't what you expected? Will you still be friends? How will you handle it if you can't see your face during the ceremony, because your head was overshadowed by the giant willow tree you were standing under? Think about it-you can't have a "do-over" of your wedding photos!
• Did you know that there are also different types of photography? Believe it or not, there is a difference between shooting a wedding, and shooting say, a fashion model for a magazine cover, or a live sporting event, or even a shot of an animal in the wild. Professionals spend time, and money on courses, equipment and education not to mention years of experience developing their craft-and YES that includes on weddings too! There IS a reason that editors only choose certain photographers to produce their images.
• As for the budget, sure there are many "point and click" self-proclaimed photographers out there that can just simply turn around and download your images to a disk for you to go print elsewhere for just $500 or less (just look at how inundated Kijiji and Craigslist are with these type of adds) but a professional Photographer actually takes the time (HOURS actually) to do something called editing.
• This means that not only are they with you throughout your wedding day to provide the coverage important to you, they have the ability to retell the story of your wedding day, despite challenges someone else may not be able to anticipate or work through. Challenges such as poor lighting, backlighting, crowded ceremony rooms where every angle of view seems blocked, unexpected weather, photography rules instituted by the Officiant, capturing flattering images and angles of the bride or a groom who is disinterested in having his photo taken.
• In addition to capturing your wedding day, a professional photographer will often take the time to enhance an image to create a final product which the couple is excited and proud to hang on their wall. One of the other benefits to working with a professional wedding photographer is most offer a collection of wedding albums. Wedding albums have moved beyond slipping prints into matted sleeves. Today's wedding albums are press printed albums, featuring custom designed spreads and are produced by albums companies who work exclusively with photographers.

At the end of your wedding day, you want it to be as memorable and as beautiful as you experienced it and remember it.
Don't cut corners on saving money on the only tangible thing that you will have years later to remember it all by. There is only one way to capture the emotion and beauty of your wedding day. It does pay to do your research and find a great professional that suits your style. You will be thankful in the end that you spent the money wisely on hiring someone who is educated in photography, has spent time developing their craft, and genuinely cares about your day.

Just for fun-I thought I would post some pictures that show the difference MY OWN "really good camera", and the final images provided by the professional wedding photographer.


 
You can see the difference:

{My camera-can you even see the flowers on the table apart from the ones in the background? Not to mention the drab colour that the table linen looks in this photo.}

{Professional Photographer-One word: STUNNING!

Photo by Heidi Ram Photography}

{My Camera-can you see what colour the glassware is?}

{Professional Photographer-The glassware was actually this stunning amethyst colour}

Photo by Heidi Ram Photography

{My Camera}

{Professional Photographer-yes they even make flip flops in a basket look good!}

Photo by Dew Imagery

{My camera-do you like the hand-sewn flags on the bunting?}

{Professional Photographer-I bet you like the hand-sewn flags now ;) }

Photo by Dew Imagery