This guide on how to find inexpensive wedding photographers can help you create a beautiful wedding without spending a fortune.
You can still hire a photographer to capture your special moments, even if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on the best photographers in the world.
There are several ways to find affordable wedding photography services.
Ask your family and friends if they’re up to the task.
The next step, if you don’t know anyone, is to ask around your network for a photographer. You can also search on freelance platforms.
Find out how to find affordable wedding photographer in Sydney by reading these useful tips.
I have also included a section about the risks that you could face if you place too much emphasis on price and sacrifice quality.
Find a Wedding Photographer at an Affordable Price
You’ll have to dig deep into your wallet when planning your wedding.
You can capture your special moments on your wedding without spending a fortune.
1. You Can Find Out If You Have Any Photographers In Your Family And Friends Circle.
You Should Start By Asking Your Friends And Family For Recommendations.
If you’re lucky, you may discover that someone in your family or circle of friends is a photographer. You can ask them to take photos for you at a discount rate.
Wedding photography can be a difficult field and requires a completely different set of skills than other types of photography such as street or food photography.
You should therefore make sure this friend or relative has experience photographing weddings, before entrusting them with the task of creating lasting memories for your wedding albums.
2. Use Your Personal Network to Your Advantage
You may need to broaden your search if you have asked your family members and friends about their photography skills and none of them is a photographer.
Ask the people you’ve met over the years if they can recommend a professional or capable wedding photographer. You may be able to find a professional or an amateur photographer who is able to deliver high-quality results.
You only have one wedding. It’s therefore better to have an existing relationship with your photographer rather than having a stranger take care of your wedding photos.
This mutual relationship can also result in a significant discount from the photographer, allowing you to get beautiful wedding pictures at a reasonable price.
3. Search the Market for Up-and-Coming Independent Professionals
You may be tempted, if you are on a budget, to hire an amateur photographer from Craigslist. If you want to have wedding photos that truly capture the beauty of your special day, I urge you to resist hiring a novice on Craigslist.
It’s best to look for semi-professionals who are just starting out. These individuals are usually recent graduates or experienced assistant photographers who are trying to make the leap to become lead photographers.
They are willing to accept lower prices in order to increase their exposure and build a stronger portfolio.
You can find photographers who fit the description by searching on job boards such as Indeed or freelance platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr. You should look for candidates who have received multiple positive reviews from previous clients.
4. Ask Your Local Colleges and Universities
Students who attend photography schools get a solid educational foundation while honing their skills. These schools are able to produce wedding photographers who can take amazing pictures.
A photography school does not do much for its students to improve their business skills. They don’t know the market or its prices. You can benefit from their low prices.
This is a cynical way of doing things, but it works!
5. Search Google Ads
Google Ads is another way to find a wedding photographer that fits your budget. Search for “wedding photographers under [enter budget]”
Search at different times during the day to increase your chances of finding exactly what you are looking for.
It is because most cheap wedding photographers have limited advertising budgets. Their ads are only displayed on Google during certain hours.
6. Explore Forums And Discussion Boards
Find affordable wedding photographers by searching forums and discussion boards such as Quora or Reddit.
You can engage directly with other people on these platforms and receive detailed and honest reviews about the photographers that they recommend.
Beware of photographers who pretend to be former clients in such forums. They are promoting themselves. They’re easy to spot, fortunately.
7. Book Your Wedding Photographer As Early As Possible
Early booking of your wedding photographer can result in a discount. Please note that early means at least six month before your wedding.
You may be able take advantage of an early bird discount and hire a professional photographer for a fraction the cost they would normally charge.
8. Compare Prices and Services of Multiple Options
You spend time comparing and exploring different options before making a large purchase. Consider the pros and cons of each choice to make an informed decision you will not regret.
The same principle applies even though the cost of wedding photography is not as high as that of a car, or a household appliance.
Your wedding photos will capture the magic moments you’ll cherish for the rest your life.
You should therefore take the time to thoroughly research local photographers, and ask for quotes.
Start by attending wedding fairs in your locality. These fairs are held just before wedding season and serve as a meeting place for wedding videographers and photographers looking for clients.
9. Hire Local Photographers For Your Wedding Instead Of Hiring Photographers From Outside The Area
If you are looking to cut costs on your wedding photography, we recommend that you hire a local photographer.
You will be charged extra by a photographer who is not local to cover their travel costs. You’ll likely pay hundreds of extra dollars as a result.
Even if they don’t say it outright, the quote they give you will include this cost.
Destination weddings are often forced to hire non-local photographers and pay for their flights.
10. Hire Your Wedding Photographer For A Fixed Number Of Hours
Most wedding photographers charge per hour. You should hire the photographer only for a certain number of hours regardless of the length of the ceremony.
After the wedding photographer has captured the most important moments of the day, like the first dance or the vows to the bride, they are no longer required.
Use of Cheap Wedding Photographers: Some Issues
There’s a price to pay when you choose the photographer who will capture your special wedding moments.
Sure, you may get a great deal. You may still end up with an inferior wedding album.
When people hire cheap wedding photographers, they face a number of problems.
They Lack Experience And Know-how
Cameras are available to almost everyone today. Anyone can start a photography business by purchasing or leasing a camera.
But just because you own a camera, doesn’t mean that you can use it to take good photos.
Experience is more important than ever when taking wedding pictures. A photographer must pay close attention to details and be able to deal with any challenges that may arise from the venue or lighting.
You’re unlikely going to get high-quality pictures if you hire a wedding photographer who has little experience.
They won’t even be able take good photos of the intimate moments between newlyweds.
I would recommend getting a package of wedding photos that include engagement pictures. You can gauge the photographer’s competence by looking at the photos taken during the engagement session.
If you are planning a destination marriage, arrive at least a few days before the wedding and let your wedding photographer take care of the photo shoot.
It’s Unlikely That They Are Professional Photographers
The more expensive a wedding photographer is, the less likely it is that they are professionals. The photographer is likely to do photography as a side job and only take photos in certain seasons.
They won’t therefore be available 24 hours a day. They will also likely work alone and therefore not provide a professional level of service.
Associate or assistant wedding photographers are usually the most affordable. Associate photographers are unlikely to be able to pose and direct your photos properly. They lack the skills of lead photographers who can capture your wedding in a professional manner.
You may end up with poor quality wedding photos if you hire them.
The Quality Of Their Photos Is Likely To Be Inconsistent
It’s not enough that a photographer is offering you attractive prices to make it convenient for you. They still have to be able and willing perform the photo session on your wedding day.
Cheap photographers are more likely to deliver inconsistent results. You may end up with an album of wedding photos that looks like they were taken by different photographers throughout the day.
Ask any photographer that you are considering hiring about their online gallery. The gallery of a talented photographer will contain photos that are all similar. Consistency and competence are shown by a gallery of photos that has no obvious differences between them.