I still have my wisdom teeth.

Pretending things don’t exist is the best way to go the way of the wind. “Discussing” economic conditions and the industry conditions doesn’t mean we are grumpy or mean, it just means that we have to face reality about the industry and do something about it. Keeping it all to ourselves doesn’t solve anything.

Talking it out is great way to solve issues.

Not everyone can be a high end wedding photographer. It used to be easier in the post digital era to earn a decent living being a wedding photographer. But now with EVERYONE calling themselves a wedding photographers, brides don’t know the difference between lousy and excellent photography. They see a couple of artsy action altered images and think that it’s the best in the world. Then when they get their complete coverage and it contains a couple of nice images with the rest being amateurish, then they realize that the $500.00 they paid went to waste.

So much for being cheap. Educating brides is so important, but sometimes low price trumps it all. And that’s such a shame.

I agree with Geo for 100%. Beside of that I’m not surprised that this article is written by a woman. They have often this kind of certain naivety. Bubbly, lovely and yes – “love-festive”.

Andreas, how can you mistake an attitude full of positive, pro-active ideas for “naivety”?? Or do you think that women are all naive, by default? Your comment is sexist, and rude. And considering the female-driven wedding industry as a whole, a very dangerous standpoint to take.

What gender has to do with this?

I love this post! It is honest, fun to read and created a debate about sexism right out of left field .
Let me be equally off the point and say, boys are dumb, throw rocks at them.

As a newbie in the photog business, I think a lot of how I felt as a consumer looking for a photographer (which was not very long ago). I would be very very turned off by negative photographers. Even if their work was great, I would in a second use another over them. … For someone to comment that they’re not surprised this post was written by a woman..that women are naive. Seriously? Have you looked lately at who is booking you? Women overwhelmingly are the ones who do the booking of a photographer…whether it be for a wedding, family session, baby session etc. If I were looking for a photog and I saw a comment like that, The last thing I would do is book you. Women also talk, and as a new photographer, I’m learning that word of mouth referrals is huge! It is important what you say and the attitude you portray!

The “sexist” argument does not work anymore. These days are so over.
But you are absolutely free not to agree on my words. No prob at all. And if someone says “boys are dumb” – well again, just another opinion and I respect it and would never have a prob with it. It’s weird that mostly these oh so open minded lovely party people are the first to hammer you down.
All the best, relax and have a nice week
Andreas

It’s interesting how “newbie” wedding/portrait wannabe photographers THINK that they have all the answers. Once they have been in the business for a while and see how much work it is, how they won’t be the next Joe Photo, won’t be making huge bucks so that they can drive that Mercedes, once they get over the honeymoon period and see that the general public wants YOUR hard work for peanuts and you can’t pay your bills and are forced to take a second job to make ends meet, maybe then the little light will go on and you’ll say ” Gee, they were right, it’s not all roses” !

But it’s like anything else in life. It takes a learning curve before a photographer intending on making a “career” in his field learns the realities of the business.

Sure we have to put on our best face for all of our clients. That comes with the territory.

The issue of females exuding a different attitude is so true. It’s not sexist, it’s a reality. Women are emotionally based. Men are practicality based.
Those who would disagree with that need to go do some studying about human nature and the biological differences between males and females.

The industry has changed as brides will book a female wedding photographer simply because they “feel” good about her.

Is that silly and careless ? Of course it is. But that’s reality.
Everyone should be judged based on their skills for the profession they are being hired for, not for emotion or how clownish they can be around other people.

But reality is, this is a very emotion based business and many wedding photographers get booked due to their connection with the client. Not their actual quality of work. In the end if the bride is happy with her photographer and her mediocre work then that’s her decision.

Wedding photography has gone from being a profession where photographic skills and talent were the marker for being successful. Now with easy point and shoot digital replacing actual skill and talent being necessary to be successful, the profession has been diluted to an amateurish “mom and pop” industry.

That has reduced the wages that one is able to make in this profession and reduced the reputation and stature that the general public has of wedding photographers.

Photographers now “settle” for beans instead of steak.

But, this is nothing unexpected. This was predicted ten years ago with the advent of digital cameras and the time has come. In an unregulated, unlicensed industry, ANYONE with a camera can call themselves a “wedding photographer, run an uninsured, unlicensed, non tax paying, illegal business, provide poor product and service, make pocket change and get away with it.

The threshold has been severely lowered for being a wedding photographer and now it’s more of a con game in convincing the client that you are the cat’s meow.

As long as you “click” with them, are able to show them a couple of cheesy “action” edited images to wow them, you will have a client.

Wedding photographers are now in the same class as gardeners. Unlicensed, unprofessional and settling for peanuts.

OK everyone realizes, because it’s been discussed everywhere ad nauseam … that John (and Joan) Q. Public can indeed buy a kit camera and shoot weddings for peanuts; What are ya gonna do about it?

Mostly I see photographers just whining about it. Seriously.

Just like the whole film-digital debate … Lord have mercy!

Brings to mind a shirt I had that showed a picture of the Titanic and the caption read, “It sank – They Died – Get Over It”.

Women do indeed have a better chance at building a relationship with a bride. Why? It’s woman to woman – that doesn’t take a degree to see. That’s not to say that I can’t, it’s just ‘different’.

So, now that all of this has been flapping in the breeze long enough to fade and fall apart, I ask again … what are you gonna do about it?

Yep, expectations HAVE been lowered.
Yep, they’re taking YOUR money! Sure ’nuff!

“You gonna do somethin’? Or are you just gonna stand there and bleed?” … mmmmm, I love that movie.

— Peace