Using Your Friend as Your Wedding Photographer is a Disaster Waiting to Happen 

You might say that, of course, I would say that having a friend as your wedding photographer is a crap idea, because I want you to book me.

But no, that’s not it.

I advise against using anyone who is a guest to work at your wedding. Any person. Any job.
But especially for anything that is supposed to last you a lifetime. 

Your friend as your wedding photographer: idea vs reality

You might be thinking that they are there anyway. They take great photos. They might as well bring their camera. So far the idea seems sound, but what does it look like in reality:

1. Wedding photography is not the same as family, wildlife, sport, landscape, art photography, etc.
Hell, I’m a dab hand at weddings and photographing unruly pets, but please don’t make me take photos of cars or dancers.
I know in advance that these photos would fall short of the quality I produce for weddings and pet photography. The same applies the other way around.

2. Wedding photography isn’t just a few group and couple photos that your friend can take a few attempts to capture. This is telling a story. Your wedding story.
The most important moments at a wedding can’t be repeated, the emotion can’t be redone for another photo. Those moments are fleeting. Which makes photographing weddings a stressful job.

3. When I started out, my photography instructor told me, that photographing a wedding feels like I’m running a marathon.
I can say, a wedding is maybe as exhausting as a marathon, but it is a lot more stressful. And I am used to weddings!

So while they might be a great photographer all round, using your friend as your wedding photographer is bound to make your wedding a stressful day for them. And how will you react if you don’t like their photos of your day? 

But my friend is a wedding photographer by profession

This is a fair point. And it will mean that your photos will be of their usual style and quality. They will know what to do. And you will get someone you already trust take your photos.

But do you want to do this to them?

Being the photographer at your wedding, keeps them outside of your celebration.

Let me explain!

I photographed my friends’ wedding. I wanted to. I loved their wedding plans.

But I did not get to sit next to my husband and enjoy the ceremony with him. I did not get to toast with everyone, because I was taking the photo. I did not get to sit and chat with the other guests. I was not really part of their wedding until I put my camera down in the evening and joined in on the dancefloor.

I could not be part of and enjoy their day and enjoy the beautiful moments, because I had to think one step ahead to make sure I was in the right place for the next precious moment that needed capturing.

So if you want your wedding photographer friend to take your photos, ask them. But only if you are prepared to pay their prices.
They might give you a discount, but don’t expect a freebee. You wouldn’t expect a wedding present of such big value from anyone else.

Here is a little trade secret: We appreciate it if you make it clear from the off, that having your friend as your wedding photographer is not a pre-requisite to being invited.

Please accept if your friend doesn’t want to work at your wedding.
We wedding photographers don’t get to enjoy weddings very often. And they might just want to be a guest for a change and celebrate you.

My best advice

Saying all that, I wouldn’t recommend asking your guests to do jobs on the day.

Even if they agree to help out, the reality is that once the ceremony is over, everyone just wants to let their hair down.
They are there to celebrate you and with you. And that is all they will want to do.

With regards to your wedding photos, be honest about how important they are to you. If they are important, chances are that your friendship will suffer if you end up not liking them.

So bear that in mind when you consider having your friend as your wedding photographer.

If you are now wondering where to get all those professionals from that you might need to help on the day, there is some helpful info in my blog 5 Steps to Planning Your Perfect Dry Hire Wedding.

If you just have decided to look for your wedding photographer outside of your friends circle, or we are friends and you want to ask me if I could be your wedding photographer, drop me a message via my contact form.

I look forward to hearing all about your wedding plans!

Bright blessings,

 Alternative Wedding And Handfasting Photographer UK and EU