In the past, I thought and felt that wedding photography wasn’t for me. I value quality over quantity, preferring to take some time contemplating how to set up a perfect photograph rather than pumping out over a thousand image files in a single day.
Recently, on a whim, I applied to various studios and agencies for the position of wedding photographer. All but one agency rejected my application or didn’t bother to respond. But, like many opportunities in life, one is all you need (and all you get). So far, it has worked out well. And I have been able to parlay my initial experience into other wedding gigs.
Having shot a number of weddings as first and second shooter, I can say that I am a very competent wedding photographer. I pride myself in being able to capture excellent photographs at decisive moments (and there are a few of those on a wedding day). I am also getting better than producing quantity, albeit somewhat reluctantly. Sometimes, this means capturing many shots of the same moment, or capturing more of the “less decisive” moments.
Most importantly, I am rather enjoying each wedding day. It’s difficult not to be caught up in someone else’s day of great joy. Sure, every participant, including the wedding party and the service providers, is under stress. But the organized chaos has a structure that, once learned, provides ample room for creativity.
A good wedding tog has to be nimble of feet and mind. Pre-planning helps. Many clients submit a shot list. In the absence of that, most agencies and weddings togs have their own. I try to add to this myself, using inspirational photos from great wedding photographers around the world.
A good wedding photographer must also be good at “customer service,” and an in situ ops manager. One must take control where and when possible, “directing” the bride and groom as well as the rest of the wedding party where to go, what to do and how to pose. I wasn’t sure if my preternaturally introverted personality would be a serious liability. It turns out that I come out of my shell at a wedding, motivated by the drive to capture great photographs for the couple. At the end of a recent wedding, the groom gave me a bear hug, without having seen a single photograph. He simply enjoyed my “choreography”, and made me so happy by expressing gratitude for adding fun to his joyful but stressful day.