No Pro Photographer?

[tberube]

So my wedding budget is dreadfully small, and I know a lot of creative people to help me do a lot of things and keep my costs low. One of my good friends, F, is a wedding photographer and I would have chosen her to photograph my wedding even if I was paying her. But she agreed to make that our wedding present, and I continued to spend the rest of my budget around not having to factor in a photog.

Well, yesterday she broke the wonderful news to us that after years of trying, she and her hubby are pregnant!

Not so wonderful news is she'll be due two weeks after my wedding and she won't be able to do the photography.

The worst part is all the hours of praying I did that they'd get pregnant either before or after Dec/Jan....but alas. I'm photographer-less, and the entire budget is (over)spent.

And if she had just told me she was pregnant last week, before I sent out the save-the-dates, then maybe I could have found a graceful way to rearrange the wedding (have it someplace else, save $$ on the ceremony hall, etc.) so I could afford a photographer. Now I'm up the creek.

I literally don't have the first dime to spare on a photog. But I do have a couple of friends with good cameras. Is my wedding ruined?

 

[SarahLovesJS]

I am so sorry! That must be frustrating because I know you are happy for them, but at the same time it messes up your plans.

I don''t think your wedding is ruined. Have you tried Guru.com or craig''s list? If you absolutely can''t even afford that (which would make sense since you didn''t think you needed a photographer like you said), then I don''t think it''s ruined. Find someone that you know (friends for example) that take good pictures and they will be willing to do it. Also ask that everyone send you their photos after the wedding. Finally, maybe you could try contacting a photography professor at a local community college or university? Maybe someone would be willing to photograph the wedding for practice? You could offer to pay for their meal at the reception or give them something small. Again, sorry you are in such a stressful situation! Hope this helps.

 

[Independent Gal]

If your friend is a photog, she undoubtedly knows lots of other photogs, and one of THEM has got to know a student or someone just starting out in the business who''d want the gig for a low cost.

If I were your friend, I would absolutely be eager to work my networks to help you find someone. Why don''t you ask her?

craigslist is also a good idea.

And if all else fails, see about a payment plan.

 

[bee*]

I agree-try and contact some photography collages or ask your friend does she know any students who want to build up their portfolio. On a wedding forum over here, there are frequent posts from student photogs wanting to take photos to build up their portfolios.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Ooo, this happened to us. We didn't budget for a photographer because a family member offered, but in the end we decided to hire another photographer. It does put you in a pickle! The good news is that I was able to find some in my small budget by asking around--basically, I called studios who I knew I couldn't afford and asked them if they were any understudies/interns/junior photographers in my budget, which was under $1,000 and I did find that there were a couple of very talented photographers in my budget.

A very good friend of mine had her best friend photograph the wedding and the photos were amazing (I would have used her, but my friend's wedding was 2 weeks after mine, so I had no idea). When my friend posted her pics on indiebride.com, several people requested her photographer, so her friend is just now branching into the business and is still building her portfolio. I'll email you her info. so you can add it to your options.

 

[neatfreak]

We found someone for just a few hundred dollars who was starting out in the business. We were her first "official" wedding, and as a result, she charged us very very little with the understanding that she could use our pictures for anything. She ended up being fabulous and we just found her via craigslist. So try that route!

 

[Courtneylub]

Date: 3/17/2008 2:22:12 PM
Author: neatfreak
We found someone for just a few hundred dollars who was starting out in the business. We were her first 'official' wedding, and as a result, she charged us very very little with the understanding that she could use our pictures for anything. She ended up being fabulous and we just found her via craigslist. So try that route!

I did the same. I live in Houston and these photographers live in San Antonio. They're driving to Houston and I'm still getting a great deal.

 

[moonfaery_87]

Aww, sorry about the photographer. I, too am in a really tight budget and can''t afford to have a photographer but my fiance''s uncle has volunteered(well, we volunteered him)

to be our photographer. He is an aspiring photographer and even though the pictures might not look like professional pics, I least I have photos of the day. Which to me is more important. Good luck!

 

[tberube]

thanks for all your help and advice, everyone. I''m pretty sure the most I can feasibly give to a photographer is around $150. I highly doubt anyone would even take portraits during the cocktail hour for that price.

Yikes.

 

[tberube]

Date: 3/17/2008 2:35:50 PM
Author: moonfaery_87
Aww, sorry about the photographer. I, too am in a really tight budget and can''t afford to have a photographer but my fiance''s uncle has volunteered(well, we volunteered him)

to be our photographer. He is an aspiring photographer and even though the pictures might not look like professional pics, I least I have photos of the day. Which to me is more important. Good luck!

I may do something similar. At least I know I''m not alone!

 

[Independent Gal]

What about asking a bunch of guests to bring their digital cameras? If you get, say, 10 guests to do this, you are bound to get several really great shots by sheer force of numbers. If my pal asked me to do this, I would be so 100% down with it!

 

[Erin]

1. put disposable cameras at the guest tables
2. call the local college/university art department and ask for a volunteer from the photography majors - you''d be suprised how little money makes a college student happy. I did headshots for graduating theater majors. They were great for the first time auditions without spending the thousands that professionals do

 

[clop]

Hi,

I''m also looking for a photographer, my fiance is leaning towards no pros, as he does not care for pictures, and would rather spend the money on a vacation. Any luck so far in the search? Thanks for starting this thread, it''s very informative, and consoling that I''m not alone in my situation (though I wish we all had the budget for our precious pictures!)

NewEnglandLady, would it be possible to forward your friend''s photographer contact info? Great suggestion about calling studios to ask for juniors/interns.

ps therube, your ring is so gorgeous