billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I did wedding photography for over 40 years. Last year, long after I had retired from Education and Wedding Photography, I was doing a photo show in Youngstown Ohio.
My wife and I were setting up the shots and a older couple looked in and asked if they could talk to me. I said yes. They introduced themselves and said that I had done there wedding 47 years ago. They said they take out the album often and at least once a year on there anniversary. I spent almost an hour with them and they even bought two prints from me before the show even opened.
That was not the only couple I have run into over the years that have said they still enjoy looking over the album from time to time.
Evidently some couples still need it. And that makes me feel good.

Charlie157 Loc: San Diego, CA

In the most extreme examples.. Why live, you're only going to die. And all the moments you've experienced and all the "things" you collected are gone.

Chan Garrett

From experience: the longer you live, the more valuable the memories.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

You may not need the hole, but will need a drill if you do

tjw47 Loc: Michigan

Same for cake, band and expensive wedding recep[tion...
Better to save your money and put it on a house downpayment!

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Congratulations for taking almost the exact words right out of my mouth. As I was reading Rong's post I could not help but wonder who it was that made him King. Nobody really needs a funeral either when looked at it from his point of view. Everyone can simply be cremated and ashes put into the dump. No need to even have a casket for viewing at the mortuary. Friends and family will have mental pictures of the dead person so no need to waste a morticians time with those little niceties of saying good by and so on.

Do we really need school graduations either. Can't the school, at all levels, simply mail a diploma to those who have fulfilled the requirements needed to graduate. Is all the pomp and ceremony truly needed?

Thanks Rong for making our lives simpler. Nice crown.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

We are expressing our opinions as well. Are you feeling guilty because our opinions do not go along with your opinion. Shouldn't people have opposing opinions to things they do not agree with? Asking for a friend.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I like that. I have a drill but we may not live close enough to where I can share. But do you have a hammer?

Dennis

Dannj

....or a nail...or a screwdriver...or a hammer. My point is that even “need” can have many meanings.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Want is a choice, once the choice is made, the need is a fact

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Just a little philosophy:

Not all weddings are the same and not all people are the same. Wedding customs in different geographic locations, even in the same country, are diverse. Different religious, cultural, socioeconomic conditions, family structures and lots more all factor in. There are many similarities there are many variations. Some fols put on a big lavish wedding, frankly, to show off or impress others in their societal group, perhaps even to compete. I fo, however, fid this to be rare. Some might find this mushy and contrite but some fols consider it a celebration of their love. Some ethnic and religious groups consider marriage of the utmost importance in the scheme of things- a blessing, a commandment, at a time to celebrate vigorously. Others view the celebration with far less zeal, enthusiasm or importance. In big cities, you can walk access a street and enter a completely different social and cultural environment. Any vendor or service provider in the "wedding industry" can not dictate or influence these attitudes, customers or religious tenants- they can just serve each client as the client sees fit.

I start my career in the portrait and weddg business, it away, it's my first love". Nowadays, however, commercial and industrial work is my business mainstay. It's a matter of economics and I ain't gettg any younger. Som why do I still shoot weddings? A psychological reason perhas? I did photography in war-rough stuff- things I with I could forget!. I did a 3-year stint as a news shooter on a daily big-city newspaper. I've shot riots, natural disasters, dreadful accidents, noisy and rhetorical political conventions, boring social events, and some exciting stuff, cool sports, however, like today in other media "bad news" is always in the forefront. In my day job, I shoot THINGS, inanimate objects, food and beverages, and the occasional fashion shoot and lots of big ugly machines- some of it is quite impressive. Sometimes I miss relating to and working directly with PEOPLE.

At weddings, people are usually in a joyous state of mind. They are dressed to the teeth, looking geat, relating to each other and happy and bitter-sweet emotions are everywhere to capture. There are interest venues, awesome old churches and quaint cute little ones. Even if the very is kinda drab, the challang is to make it look better. I can flex my portraiture and light "muscles" (waht's left of them), inject a little fashion photography, and practice my photojournalism without blood, guts and tragedy- only capturing the good stuff.

The money ain't bad and sometimes there are good eats too! Sales are good. The wedding ceremony aside for a moment- how often, nowadays, do families assemble, oftentimes coming from all over the country or world, all dressed up, made up and "coiffed"? The wedding couple, the parents, the elders, the kids- the gang, the business associates. the neighbours and close friends. Photo ops galore!

This ain't a job for the lazy or impatient photographer. Sometimes it's easy and well organized, especially if the photographer is a good organizer, director and advisor. Sometimes, regardless of what you do or plan, it's like herding cats! Therein is less fun and the challenge because regardless of the circumstances, other than a nuclear catastrophe, you got to come out with a good job- no excuses!

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

OPINIONS? Yes, everybody is entitled to their opinion and certainly has the right to express them. Sometimes, however, if an opinion is in poor taste and is really not helpful and servs no purpose except to cause unpleasant arguments, it might be better to keep those opinions to yourself.

I could even tolerate this original post if there were a question or poll as to opinions on wedding photograhy. But just to come out with an insulting diatribe against the wedding photographers and their customers is really uncalled for.

Waht if I were to begin a threat with "bird photography is for the birds" or "anyone who buys a print of a sunset is an idiot because all he has to do is wait 'till sundown and look out of his window- he should save his money for something useful"??? I"m sure these would not be well received nor would I ever post such a ridiculous thing!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Your answer is way out of line. Quite frankly it is so emotional I question why...

I use personal observations, not generalities. Yes, some folks consult their albums from time to time, few if you are honest. Yes, some folks years later will come back for more.

One does not prevent the other. Memories do not last long. While pictures last longer there is no one to look at them.

If memories were so important while preserved as images, why are historic events completely ignored or simply denied?

We are not learning from anything, so why are you so sure that you can castigate anyone for something that is true? Because you think it is a personal attack against you as a pro?

Just take another example such as vacation pictures. What is the point of that? Folks live their vacation behind the camera and snap hundred of images and bore living **** out of everyone showing them while saying how good it was to be there when they return... Just to have the same pictures completely ignored for the rest of their lives?

What is disgusting about stating the truth? The idea that we live short lives, have short selective memories and forget almost everything? The idea that photographs do not mean jack in the scope of things? Or is it the idea that being cold and analytic about this is reprehensible for you?

The idea that I question the ethics of being a wedding photographer? I do not. I was one. If you read carefully, I question those who posted in another thread that 'ethics' are paramount in their business practice (fair pricing for all). These folks are simply deluded about their craft. In the same thread I described photographers as mercenaries, hired hands because this is what we are, were.

You hate seeing yourself as being ephemeral as a pro like everyone else?

Sorry, as mentioned once those who care about you die, so will the memories of you, good or bad. Just another pile of dust. The same goes for me, don't worry, I am not claiming otherwise. I am just honest about it.

And, oh, I have been married twice. My first wife was killed by a drunk driver. My second wife is alive, doing well and we plan to stay married since 1983. So... Wedding/Marriage hater? Riiiiiiight.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

In the end what is really needed is wall repair once you move out...

ShelbyDave Loc: Lone Rock, WI

Wow... I know everyone has the right to their opinion, but Rongnongno sounds like a real pessimist. Sorry, I don't want to offend, but your declaration of being a realist and your opinion is depressing. I can't live my life with that attitude, even if to a very small degree I agree that some people do spend to much on things like weddings. But I don't think I have the right to decide for someone else how much is to much. For my first wife and I our budget was very small. Her parents didn't feel like they could afford the wedding so we had to pay for it ourselves. In 1974 we managed to stay with a $800 budget. Between the two of us we made a total of $5 an hour. Are there regrets? Some. She passed away 12 years ago and I wish we could have paid a professional photographer instead of having family take the photos. I would love to have better photos of that day to look at. But we had a fine wedding, and managed to buy our first house and new furniture. But I do not criticize the couple who want to spend whatever on the wedding if they balance it with what is important to them. The only time I think it is a mistake to spend to much on a wedding or event is if it hampers them from enjoying something they love to do or have. But even if I knew someone who I thought had spent to much, it is only my opinion and saying so would be hurtful and I believe self centered to express that. I've probably said to much, but I just had to support those that found Rongnongno's comments hurtful.