HOW TO BE A GREAT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

First, what is a good wedding photographer?

In my humble opinion this person/s has proficient technical skills in both natural light and very dark conditions and the basic equipment necessary to work in those conditions. Add some knowledge of the wedding industry, standards and practices to common sense. Good business skills. You know, the basics: return communications promptly, do what you say you will do in the timeframe you promised. Finally use a contract that is fair to both parties.

That pretty much makes up a good wedding photographer. But what makes up a great wedding photographer?

A great wedding photographer is not only technically proficient in all areas, a professional in business, they also know how to conduct themselves at an event and have a gift for seeing the moments that aren't planned or expected. Kind of like a street photographer. Being able to have this metaphysical connection to their subject. I guess kind of like channeling their moment. That's the best way I can describe it.

But they don't stop there.

They never stop learning and honing their skills and vision. To me, that's a great wedding photographer. 

I'm a New Orleans wedding photographer and specialize in visually creative, artistic moments. I can best be described as a Stylized Wedding Photojournalist. The great thing about being a wedding photojournalist is having the freedom to capture an honest, unmanufactured moment artistically. We feel the surroundings, the mood and channel it into our craft. Taking the moment a step further and framing in post production to complement the event. 

Don't get me wrong.

There are some flippin' outstanding traditional photographers who rock it. But its those sneaky little moments no one expects but the photographer senses and snap, just like that its frozen in time. 

To all you folks who are new to the industry, just getting your feet wet, please take my advice.

Take it slow.

Don't hop in with both feet and not understand the very basics of manual photography, flash and the general industry you will be serving. Once you have that under control you won't have to worry how your wedding or any other photographs will come out.

Then its time to find your vision.

Don't fall for the latest and greatest trends. Like vintage and, god forbid, rely solely on presets and actions. If you want lens flare, get it in camera. You can emulate it with off-camera flash (see, that's why you want to be technically proficient.) I am not anti-presets and actions. I buy them, but rarely use them and, when I do, I tweak them. I test them on a shot when I am not quite feeling the direction I want to go visually in post production. They are more a quickie inspiration. Once I try them, I revert the image to 'as captured' and play with my controls now that I've been inspired. I see way too many new photographers who apply presets to every image through batch processing and it makes me cringe. It's someone else's art and looks so one-trick-pony. And, by the way, some of you top pros do the same thing. Heck, we are all guilty of it at one time or another but don't make it a habit.

Create your own.

See, once you get the technical down, developing your own personal and unique vision is easy because you have the tool knowledge to pull ANYTHING off. That confidence shows in both your final images and client interactions. 

I know we are in a 'I want it right now' mode but sometimes the real joy in being an artist is relishing the journey that takes you to the next step in your art.

Be inspired.

Be kind.

Be honest.

And most of all, understand its okay to be a good photographer but we all should always strive to be better. For our clients and for our souls.

French Quarter on Bourbon Street Day After Session

Pamela Reed Photography (c) 2014