Redneck Wedding

<p>I have an oppertuniy to shoot a wedding that will be at the brides home. It's out in the sticks (thats not derogitory). I don't think there will be much as far as coordinatoin. I also don't think there will be much if any real dressing up. So my question would be. Should I focus on the standard images (rings, cake, walking the isle ect, ect..) Or should I go more for the candid/documentry shots? I'm more concerned with getting shots for my portfolio then for the B&G.</p>

<p><strong>Jamie - "</strong>I'm more concerned with getting shots for my portfolio then for the B&G."</p>

<p> What? The B&G should always be your top-most concern.</p>

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<p>I'm more concerned with getting shots for my portfolio then for the B&G.</p>

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<p>Then I would skip it. If that's your attitude, it will show in the photographs. Do you think the wedding party won't know that you're treating them like quaint country bumpkin specimens? Recall also that everything you say here is going to be googleable, via your name, pretty much forever. Tread carefully.</p>

<p>Wow....more concerned with the portfolio than the B&G. I think with that attitude it's time for a new career path.</p>

<p>Calling someone else a redneck and then spelling words wrong (such as 'aisle', 'derogatory', 'coordination', 'documentary', 'bride<strong>'</strong>s') in a professional forum really raises a red flag to me. <br>

I agree with the others. If you do go, do your best as you would at any other wedding.</p>

<p>When you got the job didn't you discuss your style with the couple?</p>

<p>To be quite frank, I am not sure how a wedding photographer could have the mindset that their portfolio is more important than the client's needs. While I agree that building up your portfolio is important, your priority must always be to do what the B&G wants. Period.</p>

<p>There is a huge service side to be a photographer. If you are looking just to build your portfolio, then perhaps you are in the wrong business, or maybe you need to rethink your priorities. The client must always come first. </p>

 

<p>Wow. You're a peach.</p>

<p>Ok so that sounds bad (more concerned with the portfolio than the B&G). I guess my point is that I'm more concerned with getting shots that I can use to promote myself (I'm sure that doesn't sound any better). This isn't going to be one of those times where I'm out to please the customer. If I do this, it will only as an exercise. I'm not figuring on getting any money other then the development cost, and that will be done at wal-mart.<br>

As for calling the people redneck? well that is how many of the people around here consider themselves. Heck I'm a little bit of a beach bum/hippie. These people don't worry about such nonsense as political correctness. They are proud to be rednecks (love the honesty).<br>

My spelling? yea, thats a whole nother subject, one I didn't fair well in.<br>

So back to the question, do I shoot for the candid, or worry more about the cake, rings, boquet toss, ect, ect.. ?</p>

<p>I consider it an honor to be invited to spend a day documenting someone's wedding. Weddings are very intimate events, and I'm usually the only outsider invited in with the bride and groom at times.<br>

When meeting with couples for the first time I often tell them that there are more things to consider when choosing a photographer, than say, a florist. The photographer will be with them all day, so they should not only like the style (and quality) of photography, but their photographer's personality as well. If you don't particularity like your florist, but they do amazing work, it really doesn't matter as they are just dropping off a product and not a part of the wedding day.<br>

Your post shows a real lack of respect for your clients, and I'm not sure why they would ever want you there with that attitude.</p>

<p>How can anyone but you answer this, Jamie? You're not taking the "customer's" wishes into account, only your portfolio. Your portfolio is meant to show your taste, your skill, and your own priorities in recording such an event, so that future customers (who presumably <em>will</em> want to be your priority) can get a sense of how you work. Are you asking for suggestions about how to create your own style? Or are you asking about what it is that will attract future clients, and thus what to shoot so that you have some of that to show?<br /><br />Beyond your relative disregard for the B&G, this suggests something of a detachment from the entire genre. Do you actually <em>want</em> to do this particular sort of work?</p>

<p>Judging by your post, you don't possess the maturity or social skills required for wedding photography. Landscapes may be a better fit.</p>

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<p>...I guess my point is that I'm more concerned with getting shots that I can use to promote myself (I'm sure that doesn't sound any better). This isn't going to be one of those times where I'm out to please the customer...</p>

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<p>That's just a longer way to say that you're in it for portfolio images only.</p>

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<p>As for calling the people redneck? well that is how many of the people around here consider themselves.</p>

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<p>Most, but not all. Your post and, frankly, your attitude will be searchable for a very long time to come and I suspect many people won't realize that, in your universe, it's alright to call your clients rednecks. Regardless of whether or not you and the people in your area think it is okay, a lot of potential clients will likely be turned off by that.</p>

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<p>My spelling? yea, thats a whole nother subject, one I didn't fair well in.<br /> So back to the question, do I shoot for the candid, or worry more about the cake, rings, boquet toss, ect, ect.. ?</p>

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<p>Who cares? You're dealing with a lot of people in this thread who care deeply about each and every couple we have the honor to share their special day with. With your brazen disregard for the bride and groom, why would I help you maintain this level of disdain and just further enable such an unprofessional attitude?</p>

<p>BTW, since you're shooting for your portfolio, I trust you are using an airtight release? If not, please at least have the decency not to come back here and ask for one of ours.<br>

<br /> Work on the spelling and grammar, too. It's part of the "professional" that people look to hire.</p>

<p>The lack of concern for the couple's wishes aside, the obvious answer is--shoot it in the style for which you want to be known. Or in the style which will get you the fastest and most interest from people looking to hire you. Or shoot it both ways at once, so you can have the biggest selection pool of images later.</p>

<p>@MAtt. Thanks for the input.<br>

I guess I'm trying to figure out what I want to get out of a wedding shoot. As of yet, I'm not sure I want to be a wedding photographer. Initialy I didn't. Lately people have been asking me (after they see my candids) wether I do wedding. So I figure to give it a shot. I've read a lot on this and other sights, and the ones who are renound wedding photographers seem to share a style, candid. At the same time there seems to be a million wedding photographers who shoot the basic images (cake cutting, boquet toss, you know the shots). So do I try and make my style work for the wedding or do I just get pictures that people can say this is my wedding.<br>

As far as not having respect for the B&G? I would show them the same respect that I do everyone else. I don't judge them. Calling them by the name redneck isn't judging. It's just how people call them selves around here. It's a hat people wear with pride. Don't you listen to country? You know, the four wheel drives with the confederate flags, cut off shorts, T-shirts with deers as the objects of desire. Really with the media calling them rednecks and the people saying darn-toot'n. I'm not disrespecting them.</p>

<p>It's not the redneck label, Jamie, it's the "they're not important" aspect that I think people are focusing on. It comes across like you'll be photographing at the zoo.</p>

<p>Thanks Nadine. That is certainly good advice.</p>

<p>@Matt, I can see where that could be assumed. I didn't mean to make it seem that way. I have to be honest, so I put it frankly, as did the people who responded. I'm glad they were frank with me. I wanted to make the point of the enviroment. I think many of the same people who jumped on my post would think it is a zoo. <br>

And thanks again to those who were kind enough to keep it on the subject. If I do the shoot. I will try to get both, my style, and the standards.</p>

<p>All things aside, be sure to have a basic itinerary/schedule of how everything is "<em>supposed</em>" to go, so at least you can plan for a good time to get the traditional family and bridal party groups. Also be sure to check if everyone will be changing clothes after any formalities are out of the way. I have done several similar where the bride had a proper dress and maid of honor also, then shortly after any ceremonial activities, recieving line, they went inside and changed into jeans and had a barbeque, swim party, pig roast etc. So you want to be ready for the different aspects of the day. In other words my main point is because it sounds loose, you take the initiative and do some pre-planning with the couple to avert confusion and stress later.</p>

<p>Jamie, if you don't mind my asking, how old are you?</p>

<p>I'll make no comments except to answer the question.</p>

<p>I suggest you shoot it candid. No point in doing anything else, really. It seems from your subsequent posts that candid is what you like, what you aspire to, and one of the reasons for the couple approaching you. A backyard wedding has potential to be very fun - and if I were your client, I'd be more interested in pictures of fun and friendship than in a forced bouquet toss.</p>

<p>Don't overlook that you have to shoot what's happening. Being candid doesn't mean you spend any less attention on the processional, for example. It just means that you might interpret it differently.</p>

<p>As far as I'm concerned there are no 'standard' shots you should worry about beyond recording what's there. But my approach to candid photography (and to weddings) is perhaps different to other people's, so take the advice selectively.</p>

<p>@Dave. I don't think that they will even be that formal. I'll see if I can get an idea of the basic plan. @Steve. I'm 44 and have lived around these same people for a total of 18 of those years. They think I'm a city boy, even after all this time.<br>

@Niel. Good point. keep my eye on the ball.</p>

<p>Remenber this is a public forum and "folks in the sticks:<br>

[ have the internet as well.<br>

You use a specific name that is as offensive To some as the N word..<br>

Would you refer to "city type snobs"( bad phrase_)<br>

in the same way. or "trailer trash" another bad description.<br>

you should not use any negative words such as these to describe<br>

a group of people.<br>

There are sohisticates ( so they think) that are the OPPOSITE<br>

of there "country fols" but who live "soap opera lives"<br>

lots of strange goings on.<br>

it is not right to look down on a different but hard-working and<br>

respectibele group of people. I have lived in both a wealthy suburb<br>

and a farm, and a open non farming rural area.<br>

I find the same kinds of peole in all these places, some good<br>

some not so good and a few awful.<br>

I think it says something that you would even bring this up.<br>

I think the "cultural differences" concern you more than showing any<br>

predudice. suppose these folks came from another country and wanted<br>

to have a wedding that reflected their culture?<br>

Try to think of it in those tems. A millionare NYC lawyer and<br>

a Millioare Montana rancher will have different wedding plans.<br>

Negativity eventually will show thru and hurt your relations with your<br>

prospective clients.`<br>

I***** SHORT LINES*** SO MY poor eyes can see and edit***</p>

<p>Wow. I would be honored to be able to photograph a low key "redneck" wedding. This has opportunity written all over it. What client wouldn't be impressed with a well photographed low key wedding. It would give them a chance to maybe modify or change in some way their own high faluting wedding. Just a thought</p>

<p>Jamie wrote: "I also don't think there will be much if any real dressing up." Well, if the groom has on an $80 western cowboy shirt it is dressing up and you'll know to devote some focus to the formals.</p>