As a wedding photography and videography company, we understand the importance of capturing every special moment on your big day. The photographs and videos captured will be a timeless reminder of the love and joy shared between you and your partner, and it’s crucial to hire the right company to ensure the best possible outcome. We see clients every day who are looking for cheap wedding photography. While national chain photography and videography companies may seem like an obvious choice, we strongly advise against it. Here’s why:
Lack of Personalization
National chain photography companies operate on a large scale, which means they have a standardized approach to capturing weddings. While this allows them to provide dirt cheap wedding photography, they don’t have the time or resources to tailor their services to meet the needs and preferences of each couple.
With a smaller, local company, you can work directly with the photographers and videographers to create a customized package that fits your vision and budget. You’ll have the opportunity to build a relationship with the team, which can help you feel more comfortable on the big day.
With these cheap companies- their money is made on quantity over quality. They will book your wedding and then hire a random person in the target area to shoot it for them. There is no rigorous vetting process and because they pay poorly- it’s likely that you wind up with someone brand new to the business.
Lack of Consistency
As we said before, when you hire a national chain company you’re rolling the dice on who your photographer or videographer will be. You may be shown impressive portfolios, but those images will not be ones captured by the person who shows up. They’re essentially stock images used for advertisement.
In contrast, a smaller company will have a team of professionals who work together frequently and have a proven track record of delivering high-quality work. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you’re in good hands.
Hidden Fees Make it not-so-cheap wedding photography
National chain companies advertise low prices to attract customers. What they don’t tell you is that there are hidden fees that add up quickly.
For example, they will charge extra for travel expenses, additional editing, and prints or albums.
With a local company, you’ll have a transparent pricing structure upfront, so you know exactly what you’re paying for. There won’t be any surprises or unexpected costs, which can save you money and stress in the long run.
No Creative Freedom
National chain companies have strict guidelines and procedures that limit the creative freedom of their photographers and videographers. This means that they may not be able to capture the unique moments and details that make your wedding special.
Let’s say that you actually wind up with a decent human as your photographer or videographer on the big day. You pull them to the side and say “Hey, I would love to have a few pictures done of just my grandmother”. Their hands are going to be tied- as they are generally forbidden from capturing images that don’t include the couple. This is another one of those sneaky ways that these large chains drive up your costs.
With a smaller, local company, the photographers and videographers have more flexibility to experiment with different angles, lighting, and techniques. They’ll also be more open to incorporating your ideas and suggestions, which can result in a final product that truly reflects your personality and style.
At Rebecca Ann Aesthetic, the only person anyone answers to is either Rebecca herself or Mandy if it’s videography related. Both of us have the same answer- “do what’s best for the client.”
Realistic Availability
Because national chain companies operate on such a large scale, their availability is oddly limited. They have dozens weddings booked on the same day, meaning that they can’t dedicate time and attention to each individual event. A local company will have a more flexible schedule and can devote their full attention to your wedding day. They’ll be able to work closely with you to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that every moment is captured.
In conclusion, while chain companies may seem like an attractive option, there are many reasons why you should reconsider. By choosing a local company, you can personalize your services, work with a consistent team of professionals, avoid hidden fees, and receive individualized attention. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you deserve to have the best possible memories captured. Choose a company that values quality over quantity, and you won’t be disappointed.
Still trying to decide where to go from here? Check out these blogs to help you learn more about the wonderful world of wedding photography and videography with Rebecca Ann Aesthetic
