FI's Camera Giveaway idea in lou of photographer

[kimberly333]

I know it wouldn't work with my guests. They'll be drinking and having such a good time the last thing they would think about is taking pics and if they did we probably couldn't find the cameras. lol.

[Erika J]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimberly333 I know it wouldn't work with my guests. They'll be drinking and having such a good time the last thing they would think about is taking pics and if they did we probably couldn't find the cameras. lol.

LOL, this made me laugh! This would have been our situation too!

[jajajaja]

Hahah- good point Kimberly! You want your guests to have such a good time they forget about the cameras!

 

Also, I didn't higher a videographer for my wedding. I TOTALLY regret it. My mom tried to nickle and dime me out of every decision and she convinced me that it was wasted money. I wish I didn't listen to her. A family friend volunteered to tape it for us (I'm thinking my mom called him!) and we decided to forego the cost and go with free. I really didn't want him to do it because I was very against having my guests "working" during the wedding, but he insisted and said he would tape it even if we hired a pro for his own copy. Anyways, I happened to notice him during the wedding sitting REALLY far away and I thought- oh shit. This isn't good. Sure enough- the video sucks and is like 10 mins long. Most of the video is from other parts of the vacation. So just be cautious!

[Helen_S81]

A friend of mine gave out disposable camera's to a number of guests for her second wedding about five years ago. One of the camera's only contained 'clevage' shots of many of the ladies at the wedding. She laughed about it but this is the kind of thing that happens when you give guests camera's and alcohol

[dstinationdrmr]

I agree with giving your friends cameras to get their points of view, but I would have a backup plan for the pics you really want. Just as a pro may possibly miss some things you wish you could capture there is a higher probability of that happening if your guests take pics. Also, there disposable digital cameras that you can purchase and give out for less money.Disposable Cameras - Digital, Cheap, Weddings, Discount I honestly haven't used one but you have time to try them out and see the quality.

 

I'm not sure if you want to look into this, but maybe you should scope out schools in your area. Maybe you can view the work of a photography/journalism student who wants to break into the field of weddings. This is a stretch but may be worth a try. I'd hate for you to look back and regret not getting the shots you want.

[dstinationdrmr]

Don't forget too that you can buy regular disposable cameras even cheaper and get the pics uploaded to CD. From there you can use different programs to edit them.

[atrott]

I tend to agree with everyone else on this one. Invest that $1000 on a pro. You may not want an album now but eventually, you may decide otherwise. My FI & I aren't having a wedding party either so it will just be us in the majority of the pro pics but the photography is the most important expense to me. The cake will be eaten & the bouquet will wilt but I'll have the photo memories forever! Check with your guests & see if anyone is an 'amateur' photographer. We have a close friend that shoots sporting events & wants to shoot our wedding as well just so she can get some extra experience with 'still' photography.

[akua420]

I think its a cute idea, and I'm against spending $2400 for a photographer for an hour too, its only goign to be me, my FI and our parents. So whats the point? Anyawhs I doubt I'd make an album, just a few nice pics and I'll be happy. And I understand they is being said about the angels, but its not like you're ugly, so you WILL be beautiful in the pics, it is your wedding day.

 

I think its a cute idea, thumbs up.

[jajajaja]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akua420 I think its a cute idea, and I'm against spending $2400 for a photographer for an hour too, its only goign to be me, my FI and our parents. So whats the point?

To clarify- I spent much less than that and had a photog for like 6 hours. Fortunatley, my photog had just moved to MX and was starting her wedding side of business so I was able to get a steal, but you don't have to spend that much to get at least decent pictures. Picture quality from an amateur photographer using a standard camera is not even comparable to that of a pro with some $$$ lenses and cameras. I can see that from pictures I have from the pro vs pictures family and friends gave me! Plus pros jump around like ninjas during the ceremony and they get those close up emotional shots during the ceremony that no guest would be able to do from their seat, especially lacking the high powered lenses.

However, to each their own. I would just caution to really think it through because it's not something you really want to regret later KWIM? It's not like it's just a family BBQ that reoccurs every other year.

If I were you girls, I'd study a bunch of wedding photos on here on the forum and find a few photos that represent what you want/envision from yours. Now think- do I think a guest can reasonably do that? If so, then go with that. If not, then really consider a different option.

[NaM]

I have to agree with the majority of others. If you're going to spend $1000, I would do it on a photographer instead of cameras. While I see the creativity in your plan...you are also assuming your guests want to take on this role of make shift photographers and personally I wouldn't be so thrilled about it if I were a guest at someones wedding. Besides, I think most people will bring their own camera anyway...why not set up a page on a website like Shutterfly and pass out "upload cards" with username and password during the trip, then after everyone gets home they can all upload pics to one place and you will have them all.

Personally, I think in the long run you would regret not having some great wedding memomries in the form of pictures more than you would spending a little extra on a photographer.