5 reasons why you shouldn't skimp on your wedding photographer

At the end of the day, all you have left from your wedding day is your partner, your ring, and the photos. Read on for 5 reasons why a good wedding photographer is worth every penny.

Of course, your wedding should be perfect: the most beautiful location, the dress you've dreamed of since you were a little girl, fantastic food, and the coolest DJ. But once you start planning, you quickly become disillusioned by how expensive a wedding and all your wishes actually are.

Unless you have an unlimited budget, you quickly realize that you have to be clear about your priorities: What are you not willing to compromise on? What are you willing to compromise on?

A wedding photographer should also be at the top of your list. After all, wedding photos are a visualization of your memories of a very special day – perhaps even for your children or grandchildren someday. I'd like to explain why you shouldn't skimp on the budget for your wedding photographer:

Everyone probably knows an uncle who has a DSLR camera, or someone who knows someone who enjoys photography as a hobby and would offer their services "at a reasonable price." But as simple as it may sound, the budget you invest in a wedding photographer also means investing in quality. A good photographer doesn't "just" take photos. They know that this day isn't just about the wedding—it's about the small and big stories. So many emotions. There's hardly a better opportunity to capture such a personal story in pictures. They have an eye for the right light, the right moment—they're right there in the middle of it. A professional photographer is priced accordingly, because their support on your big day isn't the end of it—selecting and editing the images takes much more time than the photography itself. I want to convince you with the following reasons why you shouldn't skimp on a wedding photographer:

1 | Beautiful wedding photos are priceless

This answer may sound simple—but it really is. You'll enjoy beautiful pictures for the rest of your life. You'll use them to send thank-you cards to your guests. You'll probably have them printed out and hanging on your walls. You'll still look at them when you're old and shriveled up, mentally reminiscing about that wonderful day. You'll have (priceless) memories of guests who may no longer be with you. All of these things are worth having the most beautiful pictures taken of you on that day and preserving them for eternity.

2 | An investment in experience and professionalism

A good wedding photographer knows how to move as silently and invisibly as possible among the guests, not only so that the ceremony itself runs smoothly, but also so that they can capture spontaneous and authentic moments. They are experienced and always in the right place at the right time to capture every detail of your wedding in the best possible conditions. They cater to your wishes and needs. They don't spend ages on the bridal couple shoot while your guests wait impatiently for you; instead, they know exactly when during the day they can whisk you away for a while to quickly and effectively capture the most beautiful shots in the best light. Which brings us to point 3...

3 | A photographer brings out the best in you

Let's be honest: unless we're models and therefore used to being in front of the camera, the word "shoot" makes us sweat. Who hasn't seen those terrible pictures from the last Christmas or family celebration, where you feel terrible about yourself?! With a professional photographer, you can relax, enjoy the day, and not worry about whether you're in the right light. Photographers know the best moments to capture. They know how to present you in the best possible light, literally. They pay attention to detail and create an atmosphere, especially during a bridal shoot, where you feel comfortable. Because they can guide you without forcing you into posing. So that the results reflect you exactly as you are.

4 | A good photographer saves you a lot of stress

All the preparations for the wedding are exhausting enough – the last thing you want is stress at the wedding reception. After all, this day belongs to you and you and your guests should simply enjoy it. With a professional photographer, you can be sure that you have one less thing to worry about. A photographer integrates perfectly into the process. They can deal with previously set timelines not being met and will still be in the right place at the right time. They will have clarified with you in advance which important people you absolutely need a photo of, have scanned the location in advance for the best spots, and know exactly which shots will work and which won't. This will save you a lot of time on the big day – time that you can spend with yourselves and your guests.

5 | Not just "moments" are captured, but real emotions

Anyone can pick up a cell phone and take pictures. Anyone can even pick up a good camera and shoot photos. But contrary to what many people say, a good camera isn't enough to create timelessly beautiful images. A wedding isn't just about "moments" and snapshots. It's about storytelling. The images must convey the atmosphere and emotions of the day. They must capture the details of the dress, the cake, and the decorations (which you undoubtedly put a lot of work and energy into). I often hear from my wedding couples that, when looking through the pictures, they saw things and moments that they hadn't even noticed at the wedding itself. Because they were either so nervous or in a different location. It's so nice to look back at the wedding photos afterward and relive that day.

All of this – no amateur photographer can do it. And not Uncle Bob with his SLR camera either. How we wedding photographers do it all is, to some extent, our secret. But I promise you – we and the resulting images are worth every cent.