This business model carries with it a great delusion – that you’re actually getting something for your money. In reality, there is no actual “commodity” exchange for your investment. In addition there is nothing provided by the photographer but a little of their time and a $.50 CD. A well established local studio has also adopted this business model, because even though the price is very low, it has an extremely high profit margin. Who is the looser? The bride and groom.

Providing classic, professional wedding photography is completely different. Photography on the wedding day is only a small part of it. A typical wedding, though only lasting 3-6 hours, typically involves over 40 hours of skilled labor on the part of our photography studio, as we provide exquisitely enhanced prints, albums, and wall portraits. It’s ALL about the commodity exchange, where you receive classic artwork of a dedicated professional photography studio in exchange for your investment. Couples receive a priceless wedding album and wonderful memories created by a photographic artist.

I recently talked with a bride whose older sister hired one of these “snapshooters” for her wedding. The price was really low and they less than satisfied with the CD of 700 snapshots. They took it to Walmart for some $.29 prints of the ones they sort of liked, but basically they had received nothing for their money. She thought her sister had simply made a bad choice of photographer and was out looking for a better one. When we showed her what we provide, she saw the beauty and the quality of what we produce, but the investment was much higher than her sisters. She asked if she could just get a CD.

Honestly, I was momentarily tempted by her suggestion, because creating beautiful albums is a huge amount of work! But what would she really have? How could I justify the value of Walmart 4x6’s? I honestly felt guilty thinking how little I could give her for so many of her hard earned dollars. Fortunately, I broke free of the “cheap demon” and said no. I had to turn down her request, but decided right then to share these thoughts with you, a prospective bride and groom.

You have a very difficult decision, but I believe it ultimately comes down to value – what do you actually receive for your investment? At River Street Photography, your initial investment may be slightly more than most other photographers, but the return on that investment is huge, and that’s where real value is. We made a decision years ago that only the finest work would depart through our studio doors, and thousands of our clients are the winners because of that decision. It remains the same with wedding photography. I encourage you to not make the mistakes we see so many bridal couples make: choosing a photographer based on the cheapest price, thinking that a CD of images has any value beyond a nice slide show on your computer, or believing that you don't need a beautifully created wall portrait.

Before you make such an important decision, call us to chat - no cost and no obligation. You'll be able to see what experienced photographic artists can create, and you'll be able to make an educated decision.

Some people say that you get what you pay for. I disagree – there are many wedding couples today who are getting nothing for what they pay. Don’t let that happen to you.

An Unbelievable Event Deserves an Incredible Keepsake!

See sample wedding albums - click here.

Michael Thresher - Photographic Artist

PS. We DO create wedding CD's, but only as a small part of a complete wedding package.