Expert: Wedding Photographics - 4/26/2010

Question
Do you know if any photographers in or around Chattanooga that are willing to shoot a same-sex commitment ceremony?  I find it difficult to just call up and ask...

Answer
Hi Jen,

Thank you for your question about photographers shooting same-sex commitment ceremonies.

I don't know what kind of assignments various photographers do and do not accept. A photographer who I might have known a year ago to be shooting same-sex commitment ceremonies may or may not be shooting them now.  I don't spend time trying to stay updated on what kind of assignments other photographers are doing.  They have to be called and you have to find out if they are even available for a certain date. But here are some facts for you and other AllExperts readers to consider when thinking about professional photographers in and around Chattanooga or anywhere else:

The vast majority of established wedding photographers expect to get paid $2,500 on average for shooting a wedding. So as long as a same-sex couple are willing to pay the fee I'm sure there are photographers who will shoot a same-sex ceremony.  BUT . . . most photographers are NOT going to give up shooting an all day wedding and collect $2,500+ just to shoot a simple ceremony in which the customers only want to pay maybe $500 for simple ceremony photo coverage.

Some photographers will provide a discount for weddings or commitment ceremonies on weekdays. Some photographers may even provide a discount just for the opportunity to shoot a same-sex commitment ceremony even if it is on a Saturday or Sunday. There may be photographers like this because they may want to expand their photography services to include same-sex commitment ceremonies and they desperately need the samples. But sometimes even those photographers can't afford to give up too much of their regular price to get samples for their portfolios.

If you are seriously wanting to find photographers in or around Chattanooga who are willing to shoot same-sex commitment ceremonies you must call. Even when you find a number of photographers who do shoot same-sex commitment ceremonies you still MUST also find out if they are even available for a certain date so they may be booked . . . if you find the fees acceptable.

John