I promise you, it is.
Lebanon Hills Elopement: Sarah and Bill | Minnesota Wedding Photographer - Emily's Photography.
One question I constantly hear debated on various Facebook groups is, “Why should we invest in professional wedding photography? Can’t we just ask a friend or family member to take the photos?” While it may save you money in the present moment, photos taken by an amateur will not stand the test of time. Its also not totally about the quality of the photos, as much as it is about the expertise of the photographer when it comes to posing and dealing with wedding nuances.
Experience
The obvious reason, a professional photographer experienced capturing 30+ weddings and knows how to anticipate and capture the special moments that come with them. They also have the technical expertise to properly expose and focus the shots, as well as the artistic eye to compose memorable images. Wedding are very poorly lit, and you need someone who completely understands lighting and their camera's technical abilities.
St. Mark Catholic Church, Shakopee, Minnesota Wedding: Jake and Karina | Minnesota Wedding Photographer - Emily's Photography.
Quality equipment
Professional photographers invest in high-quality cameras and lenses that produce superior results. These cameras and lenses can capture a wider range of light and produce sharper, more detailed images. This is especially important for low-light situations, such as during the ceremony or reception, when a lower-quality camera may produce blurry or grainy images.
Pro Tip, make sure your photographer has a "dual-slot" camera. This guarantees your images will NOT disappear. Memory cards can mess up at any given time with no warning, so its very important that your photographers camera is saving the images to a backup card, incase of any unexpected failures.
Next Chapter Winery, New Prague, Minnesota Wedding: Laura and Zane | Minnesota Wedding Photographer - Emily's Photography.
Editing and post-processing
Photographers spend hours editing and post-processing their images to ensure they are of the highest quality. This includes color correcting, retouching, and enhancing the overall look and feel of the images. This is an important step that can make a big difference in the final product. Professionals have spent years perfecting their own "base-edit", also called a preset, which guarantees your images will look like their portfolio - a.k.s no surprises. Amateurs either do not have a set preset or have purchased one they have to tweak, which means some photos will look different from each other and the album as a whole will not be cohesive.
Ivory North Wedding Portraits, Mora, Minnesota Wedding: Ethan and Esther | Minnesota Wedding Photographer - Emily's Photography.
Attention to detail
A professional photographer will pay attention to all the small details of your wedding day, from the flowers to the decor to the candid moments between you and your loved ones. They will also work with you to create a shot list and timeline to ensure that all the important moments of your day are captured.
Reliability
A professional photographer is reliable and will show up on time, ready to work. They will also have backup equipment in case of any technical issues. This is especially important as you don’t want to have to worry about the photographer missing an important moment because of an equipment malfunction.
Columbia Manor Reception Hall Wedding Portraits, Minneapolis, Minnesota Wedding: Eli and Josh | Minnesota Wedding Photographer - Emily's Photography.
Heirloom quality images
Your wedding photos will be something you cherish for a lifetime. Professional photographers create heirloom quality images that will not age and are guaranteed to stand the test of time. These images will allow you to relive your special day for years to come and will be a tangible reminder of your love and commitment to each other.
Yes, Professional Wedding Photography Is Worth the Investment.
In conclusion, hiring a professional wedding photographer is worth the investment. They bring a level of expertise, attention to detail, and professionalism that is difficult to match with an amateur photographer. While it may seem like a cost-effective solution to ask a friend or family member to take the photos, the end result will likely not be the same as hiring a professional. Investing in professional wedding photography ensures that you will have beautiful, high-quality images that you can treasure for a lifetime.
Lebanon Hills Elopement: Sarah and Bill | Minnesota Wedding Photographer - Emily's Photography.
Minneapolis, Minnesota Wedding Photography.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, I'm Emily, and I document people (and their dogs) at weddings! I live alongside my five amazing, crazy and energetic pups, Nessie, Peach, Sammi, Vinny, and Bobbi. They chew everything they see, take up the whole bed, but most importantly - they give the best hugs.
I became a professional photographer in 2019 and since then have had the opportunity to share incredible moments with numerous couples that will be cherished forever. My goal is to tell the story not only of your wedding day, but of your love. I believe to the core that who we are matters. The imagery we create together is dependent on our connection with each other + being the right fit for each other. Let’s get to know one another, I’ll start.