PPA (Professional Photographers of America) has just launched a campaign called “See The Difference.” This campaign is meant to help educate future Brides on why choosing a professional photographer is so incredibly important. The coolest part of this campaign is that PPA has spent time collecting the actual experiences of REAL BRIDES and allowing them to recount their own stories regarding the importance of hiring a credible professional wedding photographer. I was completely honored when one of my wedding couples, The Lipka’s, were chosen to share their experience with the world. You can read their full featured story on PPA.
From time to time I get e-mails expressing how people “really love your work but have a “family friend” who we are considering hiring because our wedding budget just doesn’t include your pricing.” As a former Bride who footed the bill for the majority of her own wedding…I feel your pain! I know exactly how difficult it is to budget the wedding of your dreams. I am not the type of photographer to push anyone into any decision that is not 100% theirs. That said, I think that my Bride Paula summed it up perfectly when she said, “No skimping on the photography—these are your memories. This is your forever—the things you’re going to look back on for the rest of your life.” Your wedding day is, no doubt, an incredible expense…likely one of the most expensive events of your life. But when you really think about it…what part of that day stays with you for the rest of your life? The cake? The 5 star surf and turf dinner? The venue? The wedding favors? The flowers? No. It’s the photos that help you relive all of those other things! I encourage all future Brides to consider how you would like to remember all of those intricate, expensive, treasured details from your wedding…through “Uncle Bob’s” few lucky shots captured on his new DSLR camera or through the vision of an experienced wedding photographer who knows and understands the enormous responsibility that is being a wedding photographer. The memories are yours…it’s one day and you have one chance…how will you choose to remember them?