lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Thank you, finally someone who KNOWS. I was implying "simulation" testing when I referred to Cibachrome.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

I have taken many, many wedding pictures over the years. One is reminded how long I've been in the business, when a potential bride books me to do her wedding, and states that, "I photographed her parents wedding when they got married". How time flies.

WILLARD98407 Loc: TACOMA, WA.

I know what you mean. I have even done a few granddaughters' weddings. the fun ones are the second or third weddings of the same bride.
the capper was doing the wedding of my high school sweetheart's daughter's wedding. TRIP!

and also the weddings of a couple of past girlfriends.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

Can only remember two second time round brides. Have delivered prints to brides mother 10 days after the ceremony, to be told that 'They' had split up. Not sure if anybody wanted to order prints. Only got the £50 deposit from that job, but it was in the 1970's.

frangeo Loc: Texas

I was going to write a book as well about being a wedding photographer. Then I came to the realization that no one would belive me. They would say I made it all up!!

polonois Loc: Lancaster County,PA.

I would believe you I and could add some stories that no one would believe too.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

I shot one wedding forty years ago gratis for friends. Promised myself I would never do another. I have gladly kept that promise!! Results were fine but a lot of work, a lot of stress and a long long day.

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

Too numerous to count! Maybe in the thousands! Hard to believe? Well- I started in New York City in the late 1950s. The studio I worked for handled a broad spectrum of weddings, In the season, we worked just about 7 days a week. There were the usual weekend jobs but certain "high society" weddings were held on weekdays and Ultra Orthodox Jewish weddings were every day of the week except Friday and Saturday. We also covered Bar Mitzvahs, Sweet-Sixteen parties, Silver and Golden Wedding Anniversaries and many other celebrations. The studio was also affiliated with many busy catering establishments, where we were the recommended house photograhers. Some of those halls were virtual "wedding factories".

I had a 4 year "vacation" in the service and upon coming home, I decided to move out of the city and establish a comparatively low volume studio enabling more customized and a higher quality output. I do mostly fine portraiture and commercial photography nowadays but never abandoned the wedding business. I served the Orthodox Jewish Community in my new city and did the regular weddings on weekends- we always had a full calendar.

I cantelly tell y'all- wedding photography is not for the faint of heart or the lazy photographer. It can be a rewarding, creative and lucrative profession if you do it up right. I don't know where all the negativity comes from- I detest the word "Bridezilla". Most folks are kind and cooperative when you treat them well. You need to vet you clients before signing them up. I still believe most folks a nice but you can't be everyone's photographer. You need to make certain that everyone is on the same page and the jobs go down without a hitch. If problems occur, a good wedding shooter knows how to switch gears, work around problems and always come home with a job well done.

This monkey business a about "pros" who shot without film in the camera, got drunk, didn't show up, got sued, and othere shenanigans are bizarre. Fact is, anyone who does those those things ain't a professional.

So many folks play the blame game- they BLAME digital technology, amateur shooters, lowball priced photograhers and the the position of the stars in the heavens for the downfall of the industry. The good news is it hasn't fallen down yet. It's alive and well among the shooters who are doing it up right, charging appropriate fees for their hard work and keeping the clients happy. It's had work and it ain't for everyone. Eveh folks with all the necessary photographic skills and gear may not have the work ethic, patience and personality to hang in there.

I am 74 years old and still shooting. I am breaking in my younger staff members to take over the "wedding department" so I hope the walk down the aisle backward, camera in hand for the last time in about 2 years. Hopefully our lovely and talented daughter will take over the reins there and give mom and dad the weekends off!

grandpaw

Interesting post, thanks for taking the time to join in! Grandpaw

sploppert Loc: Rochester, NY

amen

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

I hope that ALL the things you saw as a wedding photographer were all good! I've been at it for over 50 years and if not for Covid, I would still be active in that part of my business. Not too man celebrations this year.

Sometimes it can be rough stuff, family dynamics being what they are, nervous folks, crazy schedules, and every now and again folks will kinda OVER-celebrate and imbibe a bit over the limit! But... most of it was exciting, interesting, and rewarding work. You gotta like people, have patience, be able the anticipate action and want to help folks when things occasionally go wrong. It's upbeat work- people are looking at the best, enjoying the occasion and celebrating love- Waht more can a photograher want?

Larryshuman

I shot the last wedding in 1989 and they would not pay me the last payment. I could not sue them because they out of the area so I said that's it. I will never shoot a wedding again. Here is a couple of shots from the last one.
Instead I shoot wildlife. I gotten bears, eagles, osprey, warblers, shore birds and landscapes. I'm having fun now.

mrpentaxk5ii

I started digital photography about twelve years ago, I never thought about photographing weddings and events at that time but it just kind of happened. I started printing my own work when I started with digital capture and after sharing my work at work, people bought some of my prints and some time after that a co-worker asked if I could photograph the Memorial Day event and so after my fifth year I was asked to do my first wedding, the ceremony was held outdoors and the reception indoors. Wedding photography is a lot of work and the amount of photography equipment needed to shoot even small weddings is more than the average photographer has. I photograph a few events a year, weddings, birthday parties and outdoor family shoots, it pushes me and keeps me sharp, but it is not how I would like to make a living doing. As for prints, I give my clients prints made on a Canon Pixma Pro 9000 MKII on Canon and Red-River satin paper, the prints come out great and I have many on the walls of my home in custom frames.