hassy501

<p>Dont' get me wrong, I still produce outstanding images for my client. I guess it's the beast within me.......it's like an athelete who let's the team down. You take it personally. I have to be less caring and just take what's presented to me.<br>

It comes from my life in working in law enforcement. I was there for people, trying to make life better for them. Protecting the less fortunate, protecting the weak from the wolves. Everyday just trying to make just a little bit better for people. <br>

That's where the caring part comes in. A person never loses that.</p>

<p>Actually, a wedding photographer has one of the most difficult jobs around. We have to be a portrait artist, photojournalist, psychologist, organizer, we have to be upbeat, energetic in a crazy whirlwind atmosphere at all times.<br>

I guess we all have our own expectations and limitations of our work. We all provide different levels of product to our clients. That in of itself dictates our level of passion for our work. Some care a lot more than others.</p>

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<p>Amanda, i totally understand what you are saying. My kids are all grown. You are doing the right thing. </p>

<p>I'm a perfectionist. Weddings are NOT the place where a perfectionist can be happy working in wedding photography.<br>

Let me explain. When I get to a wedding, I am already aware of what I will shooting, for the most part. I then look for those areas that will compliment the coverage. I SEE the potential, I feel the excitement.<br>

Then is all starts to fade when people are late, people don't want to cooperate, outside sources such as people interfering prevent me from getting those images that i have envisioned for my client. Potentially great shots are ruined with uncle bobs in the background. 30 minute alone time with the bride and groom are turned into 5 minute sessions because the wedding started late.<br>

That's reality and happens more often than not. We've all been there.<br>

I want to produce the highest quality images for my client, and when I can't through no fault of my own, It's extremely frustrating for me.<br>

And being in this business for so long, I just know that the client will blame no one but ME that I didn't get this shot or that. That's just how the game is played.<br>

Thats where the frustration part sets in. <br>

WE all want to give our clients our best. I'm no different. Just a little more harder on myself when I can't.<br>

I guess it's all a compromise in the end and being able to live with myself knowing I couldn't give my client what they COULD have had.</p>

<p>But what's the point if you can't even capture that passionate image ?<br>

An underexposed, overexposed poorly exposed, blurry image is unusable.<br>

I'm a realist. I don't live in the land of Oz. I'm always looking ahead to better myself and not sipping on tea sitting in a lounger.<br>

Being prepared eliminates 99 percent of any obstacles. I guess I've just been in this profession long enough to have seen so many more things than most and know what the pitfalls of it are.<br>

I earn a decent living from it. But I don't walk around with my head in the clouds like a lot of unrealistic people. I worked hard to learn my craft and am proud of it. <br>

When a person EARNS what he has, he tends to cherish it more.</p>

<p>Success is being able to live comfortably with your profession. In any profession there will always be the one percenters who sit at the top of the mountain, and then all of the rest.<br>

For the sake of THIS thread, success should be categorized as monetary.</p>

<p>If I wasn't making enough money to live comfortably, I would be out of it in a heartbeat.</p>

<p>Is photography an art or a craft ? Such as a plumber or electrician ?</p>

<p>How many of the "aspirationals" out there KNOW how to shoot in manual ? Understanding exposure and lighting ? Understanding the relationship between your strobe and ambient lighting ? Undestanding your background selection and how that affects your final image ? <br>

I know there is a huge contingent out there who say that it doesn't matter, what only matters is that they got the "shot". I totally disagree. It does matter. And that's the difference between pro shooters and point and shooters. In all of the years that I have been shooting weddings, I have never used the P mode, ever.</p>

<p>Bob, respectfully i disagree. The world is full of people with tons of passion, but no talent. It takes a combination of talent, passion and hard work to be successful. Very few have all of the elements, but many have some of them.<br>

I know many local photographers who have tons of passion, work hard yet are not successful because they just dont have "it " .<br>

In OUR profession, let's face it, if people don't purchase our product, all the passion in the world won't put food on the table.<br>

One may be successful inside, but Uncle Sam doesn't accept good feelings as payment.</p>

<p>For me, i've had a camera in my hand since the third grade. I've always enjoyed the art of capturing moments, whether it's sport, people or objects.<br>

I only got into weddings by force, not my willingness while shooting for my cousins home based studio. He was turning away too many weddings and finally convinced me to start shooting weddings, back in the medium format days.<br>

Weddings were the LAST thing I ever wanted to shoot. I won't get into the numerous obvious reasons why.<br>

But now, it's a means to an ends. If I had my choice, I would prefer to be shooting product or advertising.</p>

<p>I guess from the articles that I have read, nothing is mentioned of the practical business side of the photographers careers. Only that they followed their passion and dreams and the riches just fell out of the sky for them with very little work.<br>

No mention of whether they own a studio, work out of home, what their annual income is. Only that they are SUCCESSFUL ! One man's success is another man's mediocrity.</p>

<p>I have recently read in many professional photography magazines about "being true to your self and your art", and not worrying about anything because if you follow your passion success and riches will follow you. Forge your own path, create your own niche', blah blah blah.<br>

I personally think that's a bunch of poppycock. Reality is reality. Failiing to be aware and preparing can lead to failure in any facet of life. Learning how to run a successful business take a lot more than just "following your passion".<br>

What is your take on OUR profession and this type of idealogical dreaming ? Is it realistic or just makes for good reading ?</p>

<p>Nadine, but aren't you taking a chance each time with off colored walls ? White or beige walls work fine but any other color and you get that colored cast in your images.</p>

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<p>Garrett, you posted the bride was asking for "more" photos of her sister. Does that mean you got "some" photos of her sister ? If that's the case, then just tell her that that is all of the photos of her sister that you got. You obviously got "some" photos of her so you sound like you are in the clear on the sister.<br>

In the case of shooting "professionally" it is always incumbent on you to get the info from the client, not the other way around. YOU will be the one always blamed for any miscues, not the client. That's just how it works shooting professionally.<br>

For those who just shoot "under the table" and could care less, they usually tell the client to go take a flying leap, which reflects badly on the profession as a whole. Lots of those types of shooters around. Just check Craigslist.</p>

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<p>Oh definitely charge more. Factor in your extra time and travel, car, gas, insurance, hauling gear, the inconvenience factor.<br>

It's far more convenient to have clients come to your studio. <br>

Local areas you can charge less as opposed to farther away locations. Local park vs. the beach. <br>

Unless you live by the beach. Then you have a great built in custom area to use.</p>

<p>We have always done a "FREE ENGAGEMENT SESSION AND FRAMED AND MATTED PORTRAIT" GIVEAWAY WHICH HAS ALWAYS WORKED WELL.</p>

<p>We would have about five small clipboards with sign up sheets where brides would put their personal mailing and contact info. We would then take each one and place it into our GLASS BOWL on our table. The bowl was for show.<br>

After each show we would come away with a mailing list of about 100-150 brides to direct market too.<br>

Each bride that responded to our contact and came into the studio for a consultation would receive the "prize".<br>

It worked well for us.<br>

It created a "buzz" at the table as brides passing would see the groups forming and they wanting to get in on the action.</p>