I’ve been debating with myself lately about whether or not I should try to become a wedding photographer (as in market myself as a wedding photographer and make that my primary thing), and I’ve come to a decision: hell no. I’d use a different four-letter word instead of hell but not for this blog. (Hi Mommy, Daddy!)
There are too many things I don’t like about wedding photography. The only reason I even considered it is the potential for a stable income. To be honest, wedding photography annoys me. Not weddings. I’m okay with weddings. But wedding photography, ugh…
Look, I don’t even like to take photos of people smiling at the camera. They look so fake to me, even when people are genuinely happy. And them being happy doesn’t mean I’m happy, but I still have to smile and pretend to be happy. I’m so sick of it. I bet half the time I’m actually smiling and frowning and gritting my teeth at the same time.
And some people are seriously rude and/or inconsiderate at weddings. At the last wedding I shot, during the ceremony, someone told me to move because he couldn’t see. Wtf? I was doing my fcuking job.
And why is there never a table reserved for the photographer and videographer at the reception? I hate sharing a table with morons who at anytime could spill something on my equipment. Or start talking to me.
Wedding photographers’ blogs also annoy me, especially when they’re just sales pitches, or sound like sales pitches. Or if they’re just too happy in general. Or when they say Harry Wang’s diffuser is the shit when in fact it’s just shit. Or when the photos look the same. Or when they make ten times more money than me.
I came to the conclusion that if I made wedding photography my career, I would not be doing photography for the reason I chose it, which is basically so I can enjoy doing what I do.
Thanks Mike for that screencap! It was recorded with his DVX100B. I bet he got some interesting footage.
Edit (9/28): Hi fredmiranda.com!
“i hate sharing a table with morons who at anytime could.…start talking to me” LOL!
was the priest yelling at you?
He was whining like a _____.
I usually enjoy having my dinner with the guests. The videographers, photographers and DJ’s at my table are not very entertaining. Some guests have manners and engage in wonderful conversation at dinner. Those without manners only talk to each other and act like we are not at the table.
I didn’t think I’d have to say this but people shouldn’t take my blog so seriously. It isn’t intended for people without a sense of humor (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/575499). If you knew me in person, you’d know that I don’t think of guests as morons. Only their children.
Ahhhhhahahaha
“I don’t even like to take photos of people smiling at the camera. They look so fake to me,””
i know what you mean… I KNOW!
that forum crackd me up. they take it so serious. Now to make a blog about clubs… hah
Hmm… What can I say about clubs. Oh the things I have to say about clubs… LOL
kinda funny yes.
saw forum and blog, lol.
when reading blog its obvious a bit of tongue in cheek is involved…
Now retired…did up to five weddings a week.
learn to do on-sight special shot(s) others can’t.
Eat prime rib in kitchen, while wedding eats chicken.
Coll best shot(s) then show um 16x20, at a special price.
Consider doing only your “special shots” for other studios on speculation, but only AS FRAIMED PRINTS.
Lets hope that priest is not on good terms with G-d or you might end up getting banned from heaven.
Weddings are a lot of work and takes more than a $1000 dSLR to pull it off professionally. All you’ll do is make a mess of it and have some priest whack you on the head with an alter boy.
BTW, the folks at fredmiranda do have a sense of humor. They find you pretty funny.
Shut up Stan.
I started my wedding photographers career trying to catch people not smiling. Now i spend all my time, trying to catch em smiling naturally without them noticing me. It works! It must be the reportage craze out there at the moment.
Ha. I photograph 50 weddings a year. I am bored out my mind. Most of the people don’t even know what a good photo is, they will like the photos if they like YOU, ie. the personality. I’m so burned out of it I am thinking of selling my house to downgrade my overhead so I can concentrate of commercial photography and stock. Yes it pays well, but it’s stealing my soul.
Wow what a blogging site. I can sympathise with you in regards to not getting a seat at the wedding venue. We have done 14 hrs days and then headed to a $250p/head venue and we were placed in the corner with the DJ with no chair. Lucky the brazilian waitresses were awesome! lol.. Have placed a highlited note in the contract for us to be FED! Not asking for to much i suppose. Yes wedding photography has its ups and downs! Very good income and beats working as a labourer or retail assistant. Cheers guys!
I know this thread is kinda old now but I would just like to point out something.
DICK SERA
Now retired…did up to five weddings a week.
learn to do on-sight special shot(s) others can’t.
Eat prime rib in kitchen, while wedding eats chicken.
Coll best shot(s) then show um 16×20, at a special price.
Consider doing only your “special shots” for other studios on speculation, but only AS FRAIMED PRINTS.
This only furthers the thought of wedding photography being a lifeless, inside the box process with money hungry individuals making up the majority. I guess all the years of learning how to do all those on-sight “specials shots” has fried the spelling portion of your brain. Fraimed? Um? Seriously? And who have you been side by side with that you just blew away with your quick adaption to special scenes and sent him packing up his gear? Oh, I’m sure others can’t learn how to do the shots you can, otherwise you would be able to search wedding photographer and see over a hundred pop up in your same zip code. Oh wait, I can with the same generic results. It’s a good thing wedding photography and especially yourself are so superior. The average wedding guest knows exactly what good photography is. I envy you.