Tips For Great Wedding Photographs If Professional Prices Are Too High

Not every couple can afford to hire a professional wedding photographer. Of course you want to make sure your special day is captured, but with wedding photography prices ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 on average you may have to consider alternatives. There are other options for capturing your wedding memories and making a wonderful album you will be proud of.

Many people know a friend or relative who is a keen amateur photographer. In the first instance, you should consider people you know who have the minimum equipment including a quality camera and accessories. Many people will be only too happy to act as official photographer for the day and will do their best to fulfill the responsibility of capturing your memories.

Just because a friend or relative is going to act as your wedding photographer you shouldn't assume they will understand what you have as a vision for your ceremony and reception. As you would with a professional you should update your photographer regularly as you prepare your plans. They should have the opportunity to prepare and contribute ideas.

If you are looking for some ideas to discuss with the person who is going to act as your photographer here are a few suggestions.

Most weddings and receptions are held indoors. To add variety to your wedding photos you should consider some attractive outdoors locations to visit after the ceremony. This is often planned for the period between the ceremony and the reception and can involve the bridal party making several stops on the way while guests arrive.

While your photographer is taking photographs at the wedding venue or reception encourage them to take candid shots of your guests. They will of course take some posed shots, but if they always ask your guests 'can I take your photo' you may miss out on some of the feel of the celebration and interaction that occurs naturally.

To add further variety to your wedding photo album you should plan some photographs that are tiny vignettes of the action. These could be closeups of the bride's hand signing the register, or the rings. Ask your photographer to be on the lookout for other opportunities of capturing memorable aspects of your wedding day that don't necessarily involve a full view of a guest.

You may also want to consider taking some photographs in advance of the action. Taking photographs of the wedding cake before it is brought out is a good idea here.

Some other simple ideas might included altering the normal eye level perspective by the photographer standing on a chair or kneeling and looking up.

You could also consider options for your cameras to add some variety. Using a black and white filter or film, or a different style of lens can be a great idea.

You may also want to consider taking some photographs in advance of the action. Taking photographs of the wedding cake before it is brought out is a good idea here.

You don't have to prepare and plan lots of different locations to give your wedding photo album interest. The most important thing is that your photographer doesn't simply stand in one spot and ask the guests to stand in front of the same backdrop. Simply turning around or shifting angles can be effective.

Asking a friend or family member to take you wedding photographs doesn't mean you are missing out on quality. Often someone with a relationship to you can capture intimate details a stranger might miss.

And don't forget no wedding ever has only one photographer. Everyone will have cameras and if you want you could ask your best friends and family to send you digital copies of their snaps. There are always a few great photographs in everyone's collection. So as you can see it's not necessary to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a professional photographer if you can't afford to.

James Spacey writes for thrie.com