The Pros and Cons of 'Shoot and Burn' Photography Packages

In your search for affordable photography, you might come across the term "Shoot and Burn." It sounds a bit aggressive, but it simply refers to a specific business model.

What is it?

The photographer shows up, shoots the wedding, and hands you the unedited digital files (or lightly edited JPEGs) on a USB or download link. That's it. No albums, no prints, no extensive retouching.

The Pros

• Cost: It is usually the cheapest option available. You aren't paying for the photographer's editing time, which is often 50% of their workload.
• Speed: You get your photos immediately.
• Control: You have the raw files (sometimes) and can edit them yourself if you are tech-savvy.

The Cons

• Quality: Raw photos look flat and dull. They need editing to look like the professional photos you see on Instagram.
• Inconsistency: Without professional color correction, skin tones might look orange under indoor lights or blue in the shade.
• No Culling: You might receive 3,000 photos, including the blurry ones and the ones where you are blinking. You have to sort through them yourself.

Is it worth it?

If you have a very tight budget (under £500) and you or a friend are good with Photoshop/Lightroom, a Shoot and Burn package can be a lifesaver.

However, if you want photos that are ready to print and frame straight away, it's usually worth paying a bit more for a photographer who includes professional editing. Check out our Cost Guide to see what standard packages usually include.