Free Wedding Photography

Free wedding photography is a tempting prospect, after all, when are wedding budgets ever kept?

Having a friend or relative in charge of your wedding photographs should really only be an option for people on an absolutely minimal budget, or those who really aren't fussed about good quality wedding photos.

As you're on this website I assume you're neither of the above. However, if you still need a little convincing here are some things to consider:

• What if a friend or relative takes your wedding photos on their digital camera and accidentally 'loses' them. How would you react? Would your relationship be strong enough to get through something like that?
• What if you get the prints back but the colours look funny?
• What if they run out of batteries, memory cards or a piece of equipment fails?

A professional photographer should have all these bases covered. First of all, he should have an effective file back-up system so files are never 'lost', but if they are he should know how to recover them.

Secondly, he should have a fully colour-management workflow. This means his camera, software, computer monitor and printer are all calibrated to a set of internationally recognised colour standards. So the colour of your bridesmaids' dresses remains the same at each step of the workflow.

Thirdly, a professional photographer should never run out of anything and have back-up equipment. If the very worst should happen, he should have professional indemnity and public liability insurance, should you wish to seek compensation.

As we've said before on this website, wedding photography is an investment. It increases in sentimental value over time to become a treasured family heirloom.

For this reason you should strongly consider having a professional wedding photographer.