Doing without a wedding photographer
It's the Grazia article, with the clickbaity title "Alternatives to a wedding photographer", that inspired this post. Of course Grazia's angle is twofold: chase the buzz, and cross-link its own wedding photography articles. But…
In short, the Grazia piece extols the merits of alternatives to a professional "wedding photographer" — to save money, and apparently to dodge a few hassles seemingly common in the trade! The article hinges on two alternatives, one technological and one social. So let's take a closer look.
[UPDATE 26/04/2016] I recommend reading the article by Marc Lucasio, much more biting than I am about Grazia's "buzz" policy (though I quite agree with him on the substance!) http://www.marc-lucascio.photo/se-passer-du-photographe-mariage/
Skip the pro: an automated machine?
If we're to believe Clémence Rigny, who wrote the Grazia piece, you could do without a wedding photographer thanks to a photobooth or a photo machine.
It's THE most fashionable way right now to capture pictures and immortalise the wedding day! Far cheaper than a professional wedding photographer.
Cheaper? Debatable — a good photobooth doesn't just happen. To work, it needs a nice backdrop (rarely lying around) and good lighting (never lying around). So cheaper, frankly, no. On the other hand, yes — extending your wedding decor with a photobooth set up and run by a pro is a great idea. The pro can dial in lighting, the camera, the right props, etc. And no need to buy everything yourself: a real pro will provide a detailed quote and bring the gear on the day!
Don't have enough budget to hire a wedding photographer? Or just want something more original? Rent a photo booth!
Hmm, OK, rent a photo booth! After a quick Google search, prices come in around €1000 ex-VAT — €1200 inc. VAT (for a few hours, not the entire wedding). So yes it's a bit cheaper than a wedding photographer, but will the booth photograph the highlights of your wedding? The exchange of vows, the signing of the register, the lovely car procession, the bouquet toss and everything that makes a wedding traditional and your wedding unique? Doubtful — actually, definitely not!
Skip the pro: a friend?
Ah! That's my favourite — what if we let the guests take the photos?
If you know a friend who's passionate about photography, you could very well ask them to step behind the camera and photograph the important moments of the day, just like a wedding photographer.
Then again, Grazia immediately offers the counter-argument — to cross-link their own pages and remind us that, actually, a wedding photographer is good for something!
An inexpensive option, but again, your friend may not be available all day if they want to enjoy the party with you! Worth choosing if you can't go for a professional wedding photographer.
Grazia is also full of nice ideas — but ones that require time, money, or both!
Lay out disposable cameras or, if you have a bit more budget, opt for Polaroids.
Selfies are part of our daily life now, so why not launch a selfie contest to get your guests to use their imagination! Just provide tablets, or ask guests to take photos with their smartphones throughout the cocktail hour.
A photographer for your wedding
A professional photographer — not an amateur posing as one — gives you the assurance that there will be a photographer on the day of your wedding. Since no one is immune to mishaps, only a pro will guarantee the presence of a competent photographer on your wedding day. Three or four months before your wedding, contact a few professionals to get quotes that match your needs. It all depends on what you want, but expect a minimum of €1000 for coverage from 2pm to midnight. For that, you'll get memorable, impeccable photos.