Digital cameras are an exciting tool for consumers and amateurs alike! They provide enough instant feedback, gratification and seeming "success" that can easily build a false sense of security whereby the camera operator - now encouraged by well-meaning family and friends - decides to declare him- or her-self a "photographer" and promptly secures a website as proof of their new career. But, "What is wrong with that?" you would say, "Everyone has to start somewhere! And, if they really are enthusiastic about photography, why not?!"
My answer: because at a wedding, there is only one opportunity to get it right. There are no do-overs; once the moment has passed, it is gone, never to happen again. Informed people are less likely to be disappointed by leaving their precious memories to chance.
As an International award-winning professional photographer educated in and operating my own business for over fifteen years I've not witnessed such a large influx of wedding photographers since the industry moved from medium-format cameras that produced traditional photographic results, to the use of 35mm cameras (and yes, even the current digital cameras) that resulted in the more editorial and contemporary documentary style photography of today.
The real problem lies in the fact that most of the people flooding into wedding photography today lack a formal education, consistent training, or at a minimum, an internship in the professional photographic techniques that will provide clients with beautiful imagery and consistent exposures and results. In the amateur's enthusiasm in claiming their stake as a "photographer" and declaring themselves a business, they quickly overlook and even dismiss the important photographic theories and creative techniques, such as proper exposure and the ability to see and use light creatively, and they almost always lack solid business experience frequently falling short in accountability to their clients.
As what often happens in the concept of supply/demand, when supplies (photographers) are in abundance, prices of the product (photography) typically decrease. This can seem to be a great thing, particularly for most wedding clients on a budget who are embarking on one of the most expensive ventures of their lives! But the fact is, that price alone does not always determine experience or quality service and products, particularly a low price, again bringing to light that most amateurs don't know how to operate a business in the first place. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is and you'll want to keep in mind the adage: you get what you pay for.
How then, do we help our friends, family or even our potential clients choose a professional photographer with the creative skills and business experience to deliver their precious cargo - the history of how a couple's lives began together? We inform them of what criterion to look for and what questions are critical to ask when they are seeking a professional photographer for their important events.
If you would like to learn more about how you can help your family, friends or clients make a sound investment, instead of wasting their money and losing their memories, please stay tuned for my second article: Selecting Your Wedding Photographer. And for those of you thinking you may want to become a professional photographer, stay tuned for future how-to articles and resources on that topic as well!
For more information on my credentials and experience, please visit:
Joanne Bartone Photography
Website: http://www.joannebartone.com
Email: joanne@joannebartone.com
Tele: 412.418.8075
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