Wedding photographer predicament

IvyFlood

Hello All

I have a bit of predicament. I recently got engaged and one of my close circle of friends is trying to establish herself as a full time wedding photographer. She has already done several weddings and her work is exceptional and I’d have no doubt in hiring her for the big day if she wasn’t one of my best friends! I know how expensive they can be as well and I know I’d get excellent quality photos for a bargain price.

She has always said how much she was looking forward to shooting the wedding when one of us gets married. I absolutely love her style but I just can’t have one of my closet friends ‘working’ on my wedding day, I’d want her to be a guest! She has said she wouldn’t mind at all and although she’d get over it, I think she’d feel disappointed if I didn’t ask her.

What would others do in this situation?

Ozzuk

You like her work, she needs the work. You'll be more relaxed with someone you know doing it and she can still be a part of the day. I'd go for it - the alternative is dealing with her disappointment, especially when she watches someone else doing what she wanted to do!

jackieblack

I'd ask her, but say if she'd prefer to relax and enjoy the day as a guest that you'd be fine with that too, and let her decide.

BrassicWoman

Give her the choice and let her decide

PasturesNew

I'd let her do it. From a guest perspective, weddings can be pretty tedious/dull, especially if you're on your own....

I'd enjoy it much more if I were working ... even not being paid to be honest. Some people have far more fun "working" at events than being a guest.

Ask her for her honest opinion of which she'd genuinely prefer... and tell her "there is no right/wrong answer, this is not a trick question".

Pollycat

She said she "wouldn't mind doing it".
Do you think she's not telling the truth?
Do you think she'd prefer not to do it and just be a guest?
I think you need to ask her if she really wants to do it and if she does, you have a wedding photographer that you trust.

spadoosh

The way im reading this is that the OP doesn't want the friend to be photographer, because they want their friend at their wedding and not someone they know working at their wedding.


OP i had this. I just told her she was far more valuable to me as a guest than as a photographer. We got a randomer, which prevented me from doing stupid things like mooning in all the pictures.

FBaby

Surely if she'll happier working than being a guest that's what you'll support? My biggest concern would be if something went wrong. Its one thing to sue an unknown company, falling out with a close friends is another.

PrettyKittyKat

Maybe say you would like to employ a photographer so that she can enjoy being your guest but if she was happy to you would be honoured to have half an hour or so where she can take some lovely pics of you and OH? Then it's best of both worlds, she's happy as she gets to photograph people she loves but you're happy as you get the person you love to be part of your day (and get some bonus lovely shots too!). She can always take a few extra once the 'official' photographer goes home too.

HampshireH

Love the idea from prettyKittyKat

Alternatively say your haply to have her providing she brings an assistant also able to provide the aame standard so she doesnt have to do all the work and can also enjoy it/be in photos

Red-Squirrel_2

PrettyKittyKat wrote: »

Maybe say you would like to employ a photographer so that she can enjoy being your guest but if she was happy to you would be honoured to have half an hour or so where she can take some lovely pics of you and OH? Then it's best of both worlds, she's happy as she gets to photograph people she loves but you're happy as you get the person you love to be part of your day (and get some bonus lovely shots too!). She can always take a few extra once the 'official' photographer goes home too.

This is a great idea.
Remind her that you want her IN plenty of the photos which won’t work if she’s taking them all.

She could get some really nice ones of the day after the wedding too, going off on honeymoon etc.