You get what you pay for

I've said it before, and I'm gonna say it again: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

Well, usually.

I have run across yet another "I'm a photographer because I bought an expensive camera" person who markets themselves to brides and seniors. I used to see this sporadically in the 80's when the old film SLR cameras were becoming more popular. I worked in several photo labs, and I saw the results (ie DISASTERS) these people inflicted upon now-devastated brides.

Fast forward to 2010. Ashton Kutcher shows us how easy it is for the average Joe-Schmo to be Ansel Adams. Oh, if it only worked like that in real life!

On the TV commercials, Ashton takes his entry-level Nikon DSLR and wows people with the spectacular shots he was able to pull off in any lighting situation, with nothing more than an SD card and a kit lens.

And like Samantha Stevens twinkling her nose and having Tabitha's teddy bear fly across the room, this is TV fiction, for the most part. The entry-level DSLRs can do a beautiful job, no doubt! But these gorgeous TV shots are usually reserved for optimal lighting situations, or for someone with a little knowledge about photography.

Having your cousin shoot your wedding to save money will generally net you 2 things:

1. An unhappy bride

2. An excommunicated cousin

Please think twice before having an amateur capture the most special day of your life! If you're willing to spend thousands on the perfect wedding, make sure you designate a substantial part of that budget for professional photos, or you could end up with this.....(snagged from the web):