Sometimes you just can’t afford an expensive professional photographer, so if that is the case where can you turn?  What option is there? Here are 4 options and ideas to help you find a cheap photographer or how to do it yourself.

1. Friends: Do you know someone who has dabbled in photography a little bit and might be willing to give it a shot?  Look at your friends social media posts, do they like or possibly have an eye for it? Many teenagers in their later years may be willing and actually want to give it a try.  In addition, ask your acquaintances and friends who they have used in the past, often times word of mouth may produce the best results.

2. Your Camera: Do you have a camera yourself?  Then ask one of your kids, relatives, or the neighbor to see if they’d be willing to give it a try.

3. Beginners:  There are often many photographers out there that are just getting his or her start in the industry and need help building their portfolio.  Some of these will even work for free in exchange for use of images. Go on Google and search photographers, look at some of the less established ones.

4. High School & College Students:  Many of these individuals are looking for quick gigs to gain a few bucks.  Some of them may currently be or have recently taken a course in school on photography.  They may be looking for an opportunity to get out there and get their feet wet!

To be honest, the market is saturated with photographers.  Few photographers make it to the point where photography is their only source of income.  This can be good and bad.  Good for the consumer as you often have a lot to choose from, but usually unfortunate for the photographers as this often causes amateurs and less experience ones to drive the prices down.

As the adage goes though:  You often get what you pay for.  While asking a friend, relative, or high school kid to take photos for you may be cheaper, you likely will not be getting the high quality, fully sorted, edited, gorgeous photos that are all too common on Instagram or Pinterest.