Why I’m More than Just a Wedding Photographer!
Nowadays, throw your hat and it’s likely to land on a wedding photographer, especially here in Northern Ireland. There are more creators than ever turning to weddings as a means of making money or earning a living with their craft. One of the main reasons for this is that there is no longer a “barrier to entry” when it comes to cameras, lenses and equipment - where once a photographer would once have had to spend close to £10,000 on a good wedding set up, a modern, compact system can be had for less than half that price and still do a great job.
But Jonathan, why does this matter? I think it’s worth pointing out that I think that, while not ideal this does have it’s good aspects
#1. Couples have more choice
Positives: My priority is always to ensure that my couples have the very best possible experience on their wedding day. I am very candid about how I make photographs using my documentary-style and how I capture authentic human connection from a photojournalistic perspective. While I love this style and feel that it’s the very best for capturing intimate moments, I recognise that there are some people who prefer an approach that uses staging and more photographers means that, with some research, a couple can get exactly what they want from their wedding photographs.
Negatives:
With so many new photographers entering the wedding industry, there is always the question of experience. How many weddings have they shot? Are their photographs from real weddings or staged photoshoots? Everyone has to start somewhere but there is something to be said for experience when it comes to shooting a wedding - can you adapt when things don’t go to plan? Can you make decisions on the fly that can make or break an image?
Another problem with the influx of new photographers to the wedding industry is that their style is defined by the people they follow and they have not yet developed that signature style. What is this important? A quick scroll through instagram will show you that there are so many wedding photographs that look the same - from colours to poses to composition. While the images might look wonderful in isolation, they can get lost in the shuffle of other photographers competing for their own space.
#2. More Photographers Equals More Competition
Positives: One of the things that inspires me most as a wedding photographer is seeing other professionals in the industry make incredible content; be that photographs and even videos. I love when a photographer takes a shot that is so stinking it is impossible to ignore or captures a moment from an angle that you wouldn’t ordinarily expect. This invariably makes me want to get out there and take more photos and improve my photography, which in turn means that the couples who hire me get the best ‘me’ possible
Negatives: While I also touched on this as having a positive aspect, the number of photographers competing to win the hearts of couples has never been greater, especially here in Northern Ireland. The more competition there is for wedding photographers, the more difficult it can be to have your work noticed. To the untrained eye, it can sometimes be very difficult to spot a photograph taken at an actual wedding versus a staged photoshoot that required a two-hour hike up a mountain at golden hour with a couple and a set designer to get a photograph of epic proportions - something that under normal circumstances is very hard to pull off on a wedding day, primarily because such an endeavour takes a couple away from their family, friends and loved ones for so much longer. In order to overcome this, a photographer often has to turn to marketing and the use of ‘sponsored posts’ on social media. This results in an added cost for photographers, which results in a very difficult choice; do you take a hit financially and possibly have to cram more weddings into a busy schedule or do you charge your couples more for the added expenses incurred by additional marketing - something that no one wants!
What Sets Me Apart from the Rest and Why I’m not “Just” a Wedding Photographer!
#1. Being Personable - From experience in this industry, I have found that there are too many photographers that are ready and willing to take a booking and never speak with the couple until their wedding day. This goes against everything that I believe in as a wedding photographer. That’s why I always encourage meeting up in person where possible (even before booking!) because I know how important personality is when choosing your perfect wedding photographer. I also offer unlimited consultations via phone and Skype/Zoom or in person if required if this is required if the outcome is ensuring that the couple get the very best wedding photographs possible.
#2. Complimentary Pre-Wedding Photoshoot - It is often the case that a couples first experience in front of the camera would typically be their wedding day. This can be a strange and unnerving experience and one I am desperate to avoid. While my style of photography is by nature candid and relaxed, it can still be a little unnerving knowing that you have a photographer capturing your day. Thats why I offer a completely FREE (no additional fee here!) “Get to Know You” photoshoot with complimentary photographs. This way you can get a feel for what it’s like to be in front of the camera and remove any nerves on your wedding day.
#3. Low Key Wedding Planner - On a number of recent weddings, I have had some incredible couples who have reached out for advice and guidance. This has ranged from vendors I would recommend to advice on how to maximise the quality of photographs on their wedding day and I am only too happy to help! This is why I offer unlimited consultations right up and until your wedding day because the better planned your wedding is and the more supported you feel, the better the photographs will ultimately turn out
#4. Additional Skills - While I do not claim to be an expert in either field whatsoever, I have taken up roles as a babysitter during bride prep and a dog walker while my couple and their guests were enjoying some down-time doing their meal. Yes, these are not part of our agreed upon services but I am able to help in anyway that I can to make sure your day runs as smoothly and as effortlessly as possible. My focus will always be ensuring I capture the most amazing photographs, but when I’m not required I’ll gladly pitch in where needed
So What’s the point of all this? My point is that, in order to be the best photographer I can be and produce timeless and elegant photographs, I want to be as personable as possible to all of my couples. I don’t want your wedding day to be our first ‘in person’ introduction; I want you to be comfortable in my presence and for it to feel as though I could have been a guest on your special day - that way, I can easily blend into the background and capture phtooqgaps that wouldn’t ordinarily be possible.
