Your Contract with the Photographer should grant you Full Ownership of the Wedding Pictures provided to you on a DVD or USB Thumb Drive.
The Old-Fashioned Business Model of Wedding Photography (which some still use) is for the Photographer to Keep Exclusive Rights to Your Wedding Photos & Charge You Over & Over Again for Prints at Premium Prices!
The Modern Business Model of Wedding Photography is to Either Include a DVD with Full Rights as a Standard part of the Photography Package OR offer the DVD as an Option for $200-$500.
INSIDER TIP #1:
Your DVD or USB Thumb Drive should have 2 Folders:
1. Folder of Smaller Photos for you to Email to Friends & Family
2. Folder of FULL SIZE Photos for you to Print Photos
INSIDER TIP #2:
When Comparing Different Photographers, Be Sure to Include the DVD with Full Ownership as part of your Total Package Deal so you are “Comparing Apples to Apples”.
SOLUTION: When hiring your Photographer, make sure that your Contract includes Full Ownership of the Photographs supplied on DVDs or a USB Thumb-Drive.