Don’t hire a cheap wedding photographer!
Don’t hire a cheap wedding photographer from companies with appealing wedding photography packages!
I am very serious about it!
In my free consultation sessions with couples, I share my experiences as a wedding photographer with the bride and groom-to-be to help them find the right photographer who shares the same style and taste. I wrap up the session by emphasizing not hire a cheap wedding photographer from franchise companies!
Hint Hint: The first 6 wedding photography companies featured on the first page of The Knot!
If you haven’t read the blog post: “tips before hiring a wedding photographer in Chicago” I highly recommend doing so.
As much as the packages they offer are tempting, I highly recommend/beg to avoid that.
hire a cheap wedding photographer in Chicago
Don’t judge the quality of their work based on the images they have on their websites. They obviously share their bests which is not what you necessarily get.
The nature of the art is very subjective, and conflicts with the concept of being “franchised”. The quality and beauty of the images are in the artist’s hands only. Art is not like Subway sandwiches that taste the same here in Chicago or any other place.
I have heard they offer, photo and video coverage plus a complimentary photo booth, with half the price of only photography services that other studios in Chicago offer!!! How is that possible?! You must be suspicious here!
At the end of the day, the company must pay the photographer and the videographer they hired for your wedding day. Considering the fact that the company itself, has cost to operate; Being featured on the first page of the Knot is very, very expensive!
Do the math! The photographer and videographer would have made the same if they worked at Walmart (minus the stress)!
A professional photographer with many years of experience will not work for such little money except that they are not a professional photographer YET!
Anyone with a big camera is not a professional wedding photographer. They MIGHT be on the path to becoming a great photographer one day, but they are not there yet!
Let’s make it simple for you!
cheap wedding photographer works for these companies (which pay very little) for only two reasons:
1-To practice!
2-To make portfolio
Please note that these companies, (except one of them with so many rules and regulations) won’t even allow the photographers to post the images on their websites or social media to showcase their work, and build their portfolios.
What’s in there for them if they cannot share the images online? Why would they work there?
TO PRACTICE?
Yes, absolutely right!
Do you really want to risk your very important day by providing an opportunity for an amateur photographer to practice? I bet you don’t!
“Choose your Storyteller Wisely” is another blog post I want you to read.
Let’s discuss another important matter that you may have not considered.
A small business, as the name suggests, is made of one or a little numbers of people. This means that the owner (in this case the photographer) is behind everything including customer service. She makes sure that every aspect of her business is based on her high standards to portray her brand. In other words, she cares for what she has built and is very responsible for it.
Let’s get back to those huge/franchise companies! What if you are one unfortunate couple that is booked by an IRRESPONSIBLE person who as a matter of fact is an amateur photographer as well.
If she wouldn’t care enough to capture all the key moments, not shoot as many as it requires, won’t be on time or even show up, or simply doesn’t have a sense of creativity nor time management, what are you going to do? Given the fact that she is not going to deal with the customer services matter, she doesn’t really care to provide you the best service she can.
She shows up, (hopefully) takes pictures and delivers the files, and is done!
If the client is not happy with the images, is she going to be involved? No.
Your very important day is gone and nothing can help even a full refund plus the penalty.
Think about it!
