To think I may be able to get a uni photography student to take my wedding photos for free?

[MaryBoBary]

We are getting married at the end of the year back in our Uni city where we met. It will be just the 2 of us and our 3 year old (will potentially be calling on some mumsnet witnesses nearer the time!) and the wedding will be pre 12pm.

AIBU to think that a photography student would want the chance to take some wedding photos for an hour or two for their portfolio, and not expect to be paid? Obviously we won't be expecting world class photography, just some nice pics as we won't have any family or friends there to take them. Would it be cheeky to email the uni asking or have other people done this before?

No, this so rude and cheeky. You offer them a reduced rate for their lack of experience but maybe discuss with the course leader what they think would be fair first. A couple of hundred at the very least, it's hard work photographing a wedding both on the day and editing after.

I'm an art student. I don't work for free, the same way you don't.

V cheeky and you might get 'world class photography'. But you must pay for it.

A student photographer will be looking at doing stuff far more interesting and edgy than wedding photography for their projects. I don't think you have a chance.

Don't ask people to work for nothing - it's awful. Students have expenses. Pay a professional .

Of course you’ll have to pay

Don't forget that the main thing you have to look back on after your wedding is the PHOTOS, they're worth so much more than you're currently valuing them/ the work at.

AIBU to think that a photography student would want the chance to take some wedding photos for an hour or two for their portfolio, and not expect to be paid?

More front than Brighton.

Do you have any more examples of wedding related items you want on the free?

They won’t benefit at all by taking photos of your wedding. They will tell you to take a running jump.

Awful idea. Who on earth do you think you are? How did you intend to approach them? Some kind of x factor selection process?
End of year is a busy time for students preparing for their assessments so their time is even more previous.

Precious*

As a photographer it's amazing how many people want to give you the chance to improve your portfolio by taking lovely free photos for them. So kind.

Why would they jump at the chance to take your wedding photos for free? Most uni students have a plethora of friends and family to photograph at weddings and parties.

I can't see exactly what you think they are going to gain by pitching up at your wedding.

People do not value things they get for free.

If you want free then take some snaps on your phone. If you want something of value then you have to pay. To do work for free of a low grade diminishes their earning capacity on future years. They will be judged by any the things you post for ever - if it is student quality they need to be in full control of its distribution.

Someone might want to do it, but be prepared for some avant garde/ unorthodox shots... sole of the groom's shoes or greenfly on the wedding bouquet. Very cheeky OP.

Its super rude not to pay at all. Many students will know what their time is worth and will have a figure in mind anyway- remember it's not just the photos on the day, they will also need to edit them individually!

Groupon sometimes have wedding photography packages.

You could ask a local photography group if they have anyone who would do it for cheap, rather than free.

My son studied A Level Photography and was advised by his teacher never to accept commissions that do not compensate your costs, even when building a portfolio. I think students would be quite insulted to think they should be doing it for free, when most projects and portfolios tend to be left to the student in terms of theme. However, I think a lot of people have unfairly jumped down your neck, OP. You did only ask a question.

r/choosingbeggars

Regardless of what it is that you want somebody to do for you, if you're expecting them to give up their time to help you then they deserve to be compensated for that.

Why do you think they would do it for free?

No way, why should anyone work for free. It’s hard to imagine your wedding photos will enhance their portfolio....

I'm sure it must bring bad luck to be such a cheeky skinflint on your wedding day.

Unbelievable.

I had a uni student do the photos at my wedding free - but she wasn't a photography student, just a friend of my spouse-to-be who offered to do so as a wedding present to us.

While I love those photos and am grateful to her as I honestly hadn't really considered photos until she made the offer, I can't imagine anyone, not even high school art/photography students, doing it for a portfolio.