Everyone who’s planning a wedding wants to be able to look back on their special day with fondness and share the memories with their beloved friends and family members. A wedding without photography is unthinkable, but with rising costs, it is important to find affordable solutions without adding undue financial pressure. Thankfully, there are a range of options that can help one choose the best wedding photography package without excessive expense.
- RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH
Allow plenty of time to research wedding photography prices, packages and the skills of the photographers you are considering to hire. Use the average costs as a benchmark to guide your final decision and then book your photographer early. Booking far in advance can often secure a discounted rate. This means that the price is fixed and won’t rise as rates often tend to do over time.
- CUSTOMISE YOUR PACKAGE
Many professional photographers offer a range of options that can be mixed and matched to find the perfect blend of value and cost. Understanding what is included in each package and only selecting the most needed options allows excellent quality but reduces the overall expense.
- LENGTH OF THE SHOOT
Reducing the number of hours of the photo shoot can make a significant price difference as most photographers charge by the hour. Some start early in the day to capture all the preparations and leave along with the last guests as the wedding ends. While the quality of the images will obviously be different, consider whether friends and family could take digital photos of some proceedings and save the photographer for the main highlights such as the bride arriving, the ceremony, cutting the cake and the bridal waltz.
- OWNING THE PHOTO RIGHTS
Depending on the photographer’s policy and preference it may be possible to receive the images or negatives on DVD. Buying the rights to the photographs may seem an added expense but having the freedom to make your own prints can help keep the costs down significantly.
- TRAVEL AND LOCATION CHARGES
Discuss the location of photo shoots in advance and find out if there are charges per location for or any special travel fees required. Some photography packages may have an added charge for travelling from the photographer’s studio to the wedding location whereas others, such as the packages of wedding photography in Melbourne by Scott Morton, do not. Limiting the number of locations can help minimise your outlay.
- PREMIUM OR PEAK DAYS
Saturday is the busiest work day for wedding photographers as this is when most people schedule their wedding. Changing your wedding to a Sunday or even mid-week can seriously reduce the expenses of hiring a photographer. They may offer better deals for working on days that are usually not booked.
- USING A WEDDING GIFT REGISTRY TO FUND THE PHOTOGRAPHY
Some photographers offer a service similar to a wedding gift registry that allows guests to gift a financial contribution to the cost of the photography in lieu of a traditional wedding present. Some couples prefer this option as they can select the ultimate wedding photography package without worrying about the cost.
- HOME BASED STUDIO
The cost of buying or renting studio space can be quite expensive. Using the services of a professional with a home-based studio often means more competitive deals with bigger savings passed on to the customer.
There are many ways to arrange for your wedding to be photographed without breaking the bank. All it requires is research, planning and the confidence to negotiate the elements that are most important to you. Looking back on your wedding day with an album full of beautiful, professional photographs will make the extra effort all the more worthwhile.
