Weddingbee boards

Long response! Sorry! I'm passionate about photography!!

Wow, this is a hard one. I can see why you are struggeling. In this situation since you and your FI are not paying for the wedding, the decisions all have to go through the parents. That can be hard when it's YOUR wedding but THEIR money. Is it possible to save any money between you and your FI? If so, aks your dad to put the portion he would have put towards the cameras into your photography budget. And when you sit down to have the conversation bring examples of the kind of photos you want.

Tell him what they mean to you, and tell him you also understand he has different views about what pictures mean. What I can tell you about photos from weddings is that they are the only thing you have that capture the feeling, love, and inspiration of that day. the memories over time do fade, and my SO and I like you, want all the little details picked up from our wedding day. We had a civil ceremony in Jamaica and the pictures were HORRIBLE! The cameras were nice, but the photographers just did a point and shoot. It didn't feel special, it didn't feel like us. 2 weeks later he deployed to Iraq, and those photos are all I have of that day. Needless to say, I never look at them. They're not special.

We are having a vowel renewal when he gets home and the photography is the single most expensive item for us. We went all out, and worked our "wedding" budget out for the extra costs. I think if they are paying for your wedding that is an amazing gift, but if there is something you really want, that they can't or won't provide, work hard and get it for yourselves. You two are worthit.

Photography is one area that I wouldn't skimp on. For us, it is the most important element of our wedding (besides my dress) and we definitely cut back on other things just so we could afford a great photographer. Trust your instincts and the professional photographer. You won't regret it...especially in twenty years.

Photography has little to do with the camera and everything to do with the photographer. A good photographer could take better pictures with a point and shoot than someone in your family could with those xtis. Also the camera's you listed aren't professional and don't offer high enough ISO capability to shoot the reception without ugly on-camera flash that flattens images and makes them look like digital snapshots. I realize you want the camera, heck as a photographer I obviously LOVE CAMERAS and completely understand, but you can always buy a nice camera later down the road, you can't redo your wedding pictures. Tell your dad in 5 years those SLRs will be obsolete but wedding pictures are forever, then see him try to tell you which one has more long-term value. :P Good luck!

Your dad's idea is awful and all I have to say is DO NOT COMPROMISE ON YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY!!!  What is the one thing you will be left with after the wedding?  Your photos!  Having a "nice" camera is one thing.  Being able to work it to its best ability is another.  Photographers charge for their expertise in lighting, framing, and knowing how to capture those sweet moments which they can only achieve through experience.  Having a couple friends take photos will never ever get the same result.  Plus, the type of cameras professional photogs use cost thousands of dollars, and for a reason.  so you guys will never get the same result with a couple higher end every day digital cameras, which is what I assume he is suggesting you buy.  His willingness to spend more on this is really silly, you MUST talk him out of it.  YOU will be the one regretting it in the end, YOU will be the one stuck with awful photos, not him.  Photography was at the top of my list of most important items at my wedding, it's not something to skimp on.  I am sincerely worried for you, please update us with the news that you are hiring a professional!  :)

I agree with all of the above posters.

The other thing to think about is to consider what would happen if you go with your dad's plan and the pictures are AWFUL.  One of my good friends decided to go with a friend's friend to do the photography at her wedding.  He had won a couple of awards for nature photography, so she figured that he would be able to do a good job with the photos for her wedding as she really wanted traditional posed photos and ceremony shots; nothing fancy...he agreed that he could do it for the low low price of $200.  The photos he took were awful...grainy and out of focus.  Not only that, but because this wasn't what the guy did for a living, he didn't have a multiple batteries for the camera and we ended up being really late for brunch because we had to keep stopping to let the batteries recharge...it was really frustrating for everyone (including for those waiting for brunch!)  The only reason why she has any decent photos of her wedding at all is because her dad got some great shots...but that meant the he wasn't in any of the pictures that were worth keeping.  

At the end of the day, she was out $200, didn't have the photos of the ceremony that she wanted (or were usable) and it is SERIOUSLY awkward with this friend of a friend now.  She was really upset (I know that she cried a lot about this) because at the end of the day, this is what you're going to be showing your children and grandchildren.  I felt awful for her and don't want this to happen to you.

I only tell this story because I think that you should also explain to your dad that if you have friends or family members take the photos (regardless of how nice the camera is or how good your uncle is with a camera) they are still family and friends...they aren't professionals.  What happens if they just decide to stop taking pictures?  What if they don't turn out?  Will you and/or your dad be upset with the friend/family member?  It's a lot of pressure to put on someone.  At the end of the day, you could end up with super nice cameras but no wedding photos.

Let us know how it turns out.  I'm crossing my fingers for you!

I'm thinking buying two really nice cameras will cost you close to the same price as the photographer! Plus you get the expertise and experience of the photographer themselves. They will also be able to do the editing of the final pictures. For me personally, the photographer was the most important investment. My parents were the same way with reaction to the price of a photographer. But with all do respect, they probably paid 100 bucks for studio pictures on their wedding day. Take a look at their pictures, i'd say not very good! haha. If you have a great photographer, they will be able to capture all of the moments of the day which a non-professional may not see. 

Go with the Pro but I would suggest passing on the prints if you are trying to save money.  Maybe they will cut the price down if you are only taking the digital copies.  Chances are it will be much cheaper to print your own.