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Why is Wedding Photography so Expensive?
Although I am far from being the most expensive wedding photographer in Halifax, Nova Scotia; this is a question that I'm asked a lot. Let me say first and foremost that I do understand that weddings are an expensive proposition and brides and grooms looking to save money are entitled to ask why their vendors seem to charge so much.
Much has changed in photography over the past decade. The most obvious change is the transition from film photography to digital. I for one desperately miss film and in editing wedding pictures I strive to recreate the qualities and nuances of the best film stocks. Although digital photography has come a long way I think - in common with most photographers - that it still has a long way to go.
What this means in practical terms is hours spent at the computer turning digital wedding picture files into the very best photographs they can be. Every hour I spend shooting, I spend two or three editing. There are shortcuts, yes; could I spend less time editing? Yes. Would the resulting photographs be as good as the ones I devoted a lot of time to? No.
Then there is the cost of equipment. When I go to shoot a wedding I regularly take $15,000 worth of equipment with me. Could I take less? Yes I could. Would that compromise quality? Yes it would.
To sum up then, the issue is one of quality. Yes, you can get a friend, or a relative, or an inexpensive photographer to take pictures on your wedding day. But will the photographs be even a fraction as good as those produced by the best professionals? If something goes wrong, will your photographer know how to fix it? Can you expect good service and a high level of professionalism from the person taking your wedding pictures?
One thing can be said for certain, your wedding photographer will only have one chance to get it right and when you think of it in those terms wedding photography isn't really that expensive at all.
01/12/11
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