Asking a friend to take your wedding photographs

I have occasionally been asked why a couple should hire a professional rather than using a friend for their wedding photography, particularly since digital can give instant feedback of the results. I always say the same thing: if they are confident their friend can do a capable job, and their friend is happy to work on the day rather than relax and spend time with the other guests (because they have to be alert to photographic opportunities at all times) then by all means ask them. It is how many photographers start out, myself included, and if it goes well the sense of satisfaction is huge.

If you are thinking of using a friend as your photographer there are a lot of things to consider - have you seen any of their photographs of people? Are they of a quality and standard that you would be happy with? What if something goes wrong? A professional should have insurance to cover every eventuality. Would they genuinely be able to deal with whatever the weather and the day threw at them? By asking a friend you are giving them a great deal of responsibility and it is important both you, and they, are comfortable with that.
The main reason for asking a friend is normally budgetary. So again, ask yourself: a few months down the line, what will you have to remind you of the most special day of your life? Is it worth spending more on the flowers than on the photography? Estimates about how much to budget for photography are difficult to make - how much you can afford and how much you think the photography is worth is up to you, but I'd advise thinking about it carefully.

There is also a very negative perception of wedding photographers. All are not the same however - meet a few, look at their portfolio and chat to them about what you like. Ask to see testimonials from their previous clients. You are under no obligation to book them so wait until you find one you connect with on a personal level and who's work you like, don't dive straight in with the first one you meet thinking everyone is the same or just because the price is right.

Then there is your friend who you are going to ask. Are they aware of all the pressure they will be under? Even in summer conditions can be less than photographically ideal and they have to be prepared for that. Most registrars and celebrants at weddings don't allow flash photography - so does your photographer have the expertise and equipment to cater for that? If you would like to give them an example scenario I have shot a summer wedding where during the ceremony I was relying on 1600 iso and f1.2 just to get a shutter speed of 1/60th - in plain English, that's dark, and many cameras and lenses would struggle. You want your photographer to get on with the job without you knowing how challenging it is, not say "unfortunately it was too dark for me to get any photographs".

At the other end of the spectrum you may find yourself standing in front of a bright window with the celebrant insisting your photographer stands at the back of the room - will they be able to photograph the ceremony without making you sillouettes?
With a professional you are not just paying for prints and an album, you are buying their photographic vision and all their experience and expertise. The service you are paying for goes a long way beyond the material delivery of the photographs. A professional will be able to anticipate the moment, will know what is happening when - even the small details that have nothing to do with photography: I am regularly asked on the day for advice for everything from where to stand for the cutting of the cake to the order of the speeches and how to tie a cravat!

As a professional my camera bag contains back-ups for everything - two cameras, two flashes, lenses to cover every possible scenario, battery spares, battery chargers and so on. Then I also carry with me two film cameras and films to cover every lighting situation. Neither film camera requires batteries to operate and has little chance of mechanical failure. This may beem like paranoia, but I have a duty to every client that books me to deliver great photographs, without stress or concern, and I make sure that whatever happens I am in a position to do so.

So why am I writing this now? I have been contacted this week by a man who took wedding photographs for a friend and is seeking a quote for "fixing" them in Photoshop, however he suspects many are "unfixable".

That is a situation I would wish on no keen photographer and no couple.