A wedding photographer has access to beautiful scenery, great southern traditions, and good mint juleps. Creating beautiful wedding photographs can be done successfully by giving the couple a great way to remember their special day. Professional photographers are well equipped to provide quality pictures that will be cherished for generations. That said, there is a lot that a professional photographer won't be able to get. In a gathering of friends that know each other a photographer is often the outsider lugging impressive equipment. His or her appearance can alter expressions and posture quicker then an electric jolt. Good photographers have found ways to minimize their effect, but they still can't be everywhere at once, nor can they understand the relationships of all the participants. There are some great ways to supplement the work of a professional photographer to capture this special day in all its glory.

This is a digital media age where photographs, video and all forms of images are quickly captured and shared. In any crowd at anytime there will be at least two people with the ability to take pictures. Phones have cameras, key chains have cameras and portable digital cameras can easily fit in a pocket. At a wedding nearly everyone has a camera. Members of the wedding party will be snapping their own pictures all day long, at the ceremony, reception and hotel before and after the big day. In the past sharing photos meant going to the store, turning in the film and requesting extra prints. Now it is as easy as uploading them to a site. As part of the wedding planning include a location for participants to share their pictures of the event. Often people leave with their pictures and keep them for themselves thinking that the wedding photographer did a better job, not realizing that they may have something a professional can't always get, candid shots of events happening on the periphery. If there is a location to share them, then many unseen gems may come to light.

Inexpensive digital cameras are on the market. Much like disposable film cameras, these can be placed on tables in the reception hall and left around the room for people to snap shots at will. When these cameras are used, they are often used with less reserve then one might use their own camera. While this may generate a lot of visual garbage, it may produce many surprising and beautiful shots.

While these cameras are cheap, they still provide decent pictures that can help tell the story of the wedding. And since trusting the other side of the family isn't always easy, use permanent marker on the cameras to discourage pilfering. They can be marked by location, such as table 1, or receiving line. This helps as a quick index in identifying what pictures may be one which camera. (That way it doesn't seem like an insult to the integrity of the guests.)

There are many ways to supplement the work of a professional wedding photographer. With a little imagination and planning the wedding day can be well documented.