Paul Bestwick
pro member
This discussion came out of a thread on a course in wedding photography. The course gives a great experience in every phase of a wedding shoot, explaining the planning, business, giving live shoots with great models etc.
From this came a discussion on not the "could" of being a wedding photographer, rather the "should" of taking on these jobs! So here we discuss the ethics as a new thread! The actual course that sparked this discussion is found here . Please post anything specific to that course offering, there. This thread is based on the following assumptions:
A wedding is one of the most important landmarks in people's lives. It involves personal, social, responsibility, loyalty, accountability and sensitivity. There's a committment to maintain and cherish one another long after the fierce raging chemistry of attraction declines. The marriage is not a passive institution. It requires, friendship, caring for the other more than oneself, division of tasks and relationship maintence work.
One important part of a wedding is the ideas of hope and expectations for facing uncertain future.
And the wedding pictures? The're the glue of memories of fire and joy that got things going in the first place!
So he're we come with a camera, autofocus, electronic flash and charm enough to get jobs? We're honest and ready to go?
Now the discussion: Asher
The way I see it there seems to be an over abundance of people who are under some illusion that they are pro photographers because they have taken a few courses & bought some gear.
I know photographers like that. They make a few bucks on the weekend or part time. That is not a professional photographer.
From what I have seen, particularly on commentary of shots on the net, most of these pretenders would not know good from bad. Mediocre from fabulous.
I am not knocking the course. Do it, that is a good part of your education. But that is all it is.
You want to be a wedding pro ? Great, get beside a few for a couple of years. Get great at it & then do it.
Too many pretenders have flooded the market over the years with their second rate images & unfortunately customers have now been educated to accept a far lower standard of work.
You don't see that in the commercial world as the standard required by the ad agencies is so high that your weekend wannabe would not get anywhere near the ballpark. It is only because the wedding market is so accessible that this has occurred.
As far as being arrogant is concerned, well I certainly don't think that is something I am guilty of. Would that not be more fairly applied to those who assume the mantle of "professional" without paying their proper dues ?
Furthermore, who is it that is challenging the concept of "instant wedding photographer....just add gear & courses" ? Scott & myself, both pros in this very field. I would have thought that our opinions would carry some substantial weight.
It is wonderful to have a forum where photographers of every level can come & learn. I certainly have picked up some valuable tips here. Sometimes though, the feedback you get may not be the ego stroking comments you feel you deseve.
Cheers,
PB
From this came a discussion on not the "could" of being a wedding photographer, rather the "should" of taking on these jobs! So here we discuss the ethics as a new thread! The actual course that sparked this discussion is found here . Please post anything specific to that course offering, there. This thread is based on the following assumptions:
A wedding is one of the most important landmarks in people's lives. It involves personal, social, responsibility, loyalty, accountability and sensitivity. There's a committment to maintain and cherish one another long after the fierce raging chemistry of attraction declines. The marriage is not a passive institution. It requires, friendship, caring for the other more than oneself, division of tasks and relationship maintence work.
One important part of a wedding is the ideas of hope and expectations for facing uncertain future.
And the wedding pictures? The're the glue of memories of fire and joy that got things going in the first place!
So he're we come with a camera, autofocus, electronic flash and charm enough to get jobs? We're honest and ready to go?
Now the discussion: Asher
The way I see it there seems to be an over abundance of people who are under some illusion that they are pro photographers because they have taken a few courses & bought some gear.
I know photographers like that. They make a few bucks on the weekend or part time. That is not a professional photographer.
From what I have seen, particularly on commentary of shots on the net, most of these pretenders would not know good from bad. Mediocre from fabulous.
I am not knocking the course. Do it, that is a good part of your education. But that is all it is.
You want to be a wedding pro ? Great, get beside a few for a couple of years. Get great at it & then do it.
Too many pretenders have flooded the market over the years with their second rate images & unfortunately customers have now been educated to accept a far lower standard of work.
You don't see that in the commercial world as the standard required by the ad agencies is so high that your weekend wannabe would not get anywhere near the ballpark. It is only because the wedding market is so accessible that this has occurred.
As far as being arrogant is concerned, well I certainly don't think that is something I am guilty of. Would that not be more fairly applied to those who assume the mantle of "professional" without paying their proper dues ?
Furthermore, who is it that is challenging the concept of "instant wedding photographer....just add gear & courses" ? Scott & myself, both pros in this very field. I would have thought that our opinions would carry some substantial weight.
It is wonderful to have a forum where photographers of every level can come & learn. I certainly have picked up some valuable tips here. Sometimes though, the feedback you get may not be the ego stroking comments you feel you deseve.
Cheers,
PB
Last edited by a moderator: