Why?

In re-evaluating my goals, objectives, life and business plans over the last few weeks, I have come across some interesting ideas.

I find, on here, we often talk about the "How" - how to get the shot, how to light something, how to market yourself, how to give clients proofs, etc. Very seldom do I hear a "Why" question ask. So, I propose the question to you, my dear POTN online buddies - "Why".

Think about it for a little bit. Why wedding photography?

I found that, after thinking about it for a long while, it really helped bring everything back down into perspective for me. It triggered me to re-think my goals and how I go about my business (or, rather PLAN to go about my business).

So let's hear yours - why wedding photography? If you're not a wedding photographer, GET OUT OF THIS FORUM!

... just kidding! If you're not a wedding photographer, why photography?

Allow me to start with myself. I love to instill joy in other's lives. Plain and simple. The look on the couple's face when they are "casually" kissing and hugging for the engagement shoot, right up to the e-mail responses after getting the galleries saying how ecstatic they are and happy they are with the photos.

So, I suppose I do it to make others happy. How's that for a summary?

Weddings = $$

I want $$.

arch1tect wrote in post #4301366
Weddings = $$

I want $$.

Horrible reason, I hope you're kidding.

In all seriousness, it sparked this summer with me. I was down in NC on a family vacation (Kristen's side) and I was just shooting pictures of everyone. They loved them all and it rekindled the spark I had...the joy and happiness you instill in others when you capture they're moments.

arch1tect wrote in post #4301377
In all seriousness, it sparked this summer with me. I was down in NC on a family vacation (Kristen's side) and I was just shooting pictures of everyone. They loved them all and it rekindled the spark I had...the joy and happiness you instill in others when you capture they're moments.

Much better! LOL

I knew there was a serious Mike in there somewhere.

bcap wrote in post #4301370
Horrible reason, I hope you're kidding.

You've met me and can't tell yet?

It really is about seeing something in the moment that people don't. The beautiful moment of the way a couple holds hands or the quick kiss they sneak in private.

It's about the little things that draw detail to the big things.

I love photography in general. But over the years, I found a very heart warming joy in sharing in the bride & groom's wonderful day. I may be running around the reception, and working hard not to miss a shot, but every once in a while I get a chance to stop (even if for only a few seconds) and watch. I watch everyone having fun, the joy, the celebration. It's just a wonderful day. Then watching the bride and groom's faces as I hand them their album.... the shear joy in their expressions is almost payment enough...

its the bridesmaids, LOL!

seriously though, i just love weddings. i like to shoot people and their reactions and a wedding is a nice mix of personalities so its a buffet for me!

I've been into photography as a hobby for about 10 years, made the jump to digital this past Spring because I wanted to do something I love. Five years ago I would have said that wedding photography was the last thing I would ever want to do. Heck, People photography at all was not high on my list of photography loves. But having kids made me much more of a people photographer, and working in the wedding industry running a bridal show got me into weddings.

It is an awesome atmosphere working with couples planning a wedding. Over three years, I had the chance to at least briefly meet with over a thousand brides/grooms and the excitement they feel is infectious. It got me totally hooked on the world of weddings. I also love the sense of community among other professionals in the industry.

I've considered getting into the wedding industry in other facets - a few different kinds of design - and may still do that at some point, but right now I'm focusing on varoius branches of photography because that's where the real passion is for me.

I find it such a joy to be able to share in so many people's lifes and in a moment that, should happen only once in their lives, and we get the great honor of not only meeting family and freinds, but sharing and recording the great day with and for them. I love it!

Well I'm not an official wedding photographer so I guess I must leave

But screw that... onto why?

I started out as a web developer/photographer for local bands. I started a business for it as the talent here is great but their publicity was lacking and they needed help. Nobody else was doing it (now there are a number of people shooting bands). I haven't been paid for a shoot yet in the band area (unless you consider a person doing a web site with some photography thrown in but even then I was always out every weekend shooting). There was no money to be made in the band area as there was always someone else who would shoot for free.

This summer a lot of friend's had weddings and it always seemed they limited themselves on the photographer. The range of photographers locally go from high priced but not impressive (to me anyway) to low end and limited, which a lot seem to settle for. After getting engaged myself I started looking around more carefully at the wedding photogs in the area and didn't find anything I liked, a style a liked etc. It was disappointing. Throughout the summer as well friend's continually asked me to shoot their upcoming weddings but I kept denying saying I didn't think I had what it takes. After investigating the local photogs, seeing what I want in a photog and talking to friends for what they would want it seems I fit that niche of adding fun back into wedding photography. I want to be the fun photographer, the one doing the photo journalism type shots at a reasonable rate (not too low, not too high) to provide a viable option which just isn't here.

So why? I guess that is summed up by filling in the missing piece, the piece I wish I had when looking for a photographer (we're probably hiring out of town). I don't plan on doing many weddings but I'm sure others have same ideas as myself in regards to their style and because we are smaller and secluded our options are limited. People have heard that I'm looking at getting into the field and are already asking if I'd be available for their weddings in a few years time which makes the idea all the more promising.

My friend asked me to shoot her wedding last year because she didn't have a wedding photog. So I did and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also received a couple of referrals from that wedding that I shot over the summer.

I'm in it for the money. Seriously. If say you're not, you're lying. If you weren't in it for money, and it was truly all about the passion and the love and the joy and all that other crap you write about on your website's About Me page, you'd do it at cost rather than charging thousands of dollars per wedding.

It just happens that I love shooting people too. Portraits and weddings. Even though I still think I suck at it, I love it anyway. Anything else is boring to me. The great thing about weddings over anything else, is that everyone's dressed and looking their best.