Hi, first of all, let me clarify that i am in no way a professional nor wants to make a living out of photography. I took up this hobby because i love taking pictures for memory keep sake and also to document some beauties in nature. Unfortunately, for others who do not understand my passion, they think that owning more than one big camera and having lots of lenses means you are a professional and starts making assumptions that you can shoot weddings with class.
Through out this one year of owning a cam, i have unfortunately shot a few weddings reluctantly. Friends, cousins, friend of friends, etc.. Despite not being very eager to do all this, i still took up the job just because they said "oh its ok, no need so nice. Just record our moments can already." I charge them cheap. $500 or less for one day coverage producing 350 photos or not lesser then 250 shots. Sometimes inclusive of bridal shots. Although i hate the job, i gave my best, maybe its because of my pride as someone who likes to take picture. I spent hours selecting photos, post process it and gave them the final soft copy for them to print and they are always happy with the results that i produce. I always suggest to other potential clients that there are more experienced and professional photographers out there who can do a fantastic job but they decline saying that its too expensive and too troublesome to look around. I even recommended to them to have a look at fantastic portfolios from the wedding sub forum in CS, but they still persist that i shoot since i have a cam anyway and i charge cheap. The only reason i charge cheap is because i always have this fear of being unable to deliver.
I honestly from the bottom of my heart, have alot of respect for professional wedding photographers, and by professionals, i mean people who do this for a living, their bread and butter, a day job. How do you tolerate unreasonable couples? How do you tolerate people who happens to be able to afford a dslr and are stealing all the good spots from you. People who are so call holding better equipments, holding a mamiya or leica, glaring at you and giving you sneers that you are a wannabe when all you are doing is what you have been paid for? There was once i was even locked out of the wedding couple's room whom are my friend who paid for my services, by the groom's overzealous relatives who are also having professional looking equipments, thus missing out on some of the good moments. The best part is yet to come, when i delivered my work, i am not bragging, forgive me if i sound like i do, but the wedded couple actually think my shots are more way classy and beautiful then what those two have taken. They printed my shots and show it to everyone who compliments my work but both of them and a few others who just happens not to have a favourable view of me using a 4/3 system, passed a remark "oh its photoshopped, that's why nice. "How do all of you tolerate all this nonsense?
I have not even included others whom looks at me with those eyes and showing off that they have more knowledge than me and speaking loudly to their friends or passing remarks to family members on my technical skills like how i should have posed the couple or where i should have stand to have a better angle, should off the flash etc.. Making me look unprofessional or just another guy with a camera which i admit i am in that situation. I'm sorry if my ranting is boring but i just want to end this by saying i have absolute respect for people in this industry for what you are doing because its never an easy job. Really curious just how do you all do it. Salute!
Through out this one year of owning a cam, i have unfortunately shot a few weddings reluctantly. Friends, cousins, friend of friends, etc.. Despite not being very eager to do all this, i still took up the job just because they said "oh its ok, no need so nice. Just record our moments can already." I charge them cheap. $500 or less for one day coverage producing 350 photos or not lesser then 250 shots. Sometimes inclusive of bridal shots. Although i hate the job, i gave my best, maybe its because of my pride as someone who likes to take picture. I spent hours selecting photos, post process it and gave them the final soft copy for them to print and they are always happy with the results that i produce. I always suggest to other potential clients that there are more experienced and professional photographers out there who can do a fantastic job but they decline saying that its too expensive and too troublesome to look around. I even recommended to them to have a look at fantastic portfolios from the wedding sub forum in CS, but they still persist that i shoot since i have a cam anyway and i charge cheap. The only reason i charge cheap is because i always have this fear of being unable to deliver.
I honestly from the bottom of my heart, have alot of respect for professional wedding photographers, and by professionals, i mean people who do this for a living, their bread and butter, a day job. How do you tolerate unreasonable couples? How do you tolerate people who happens to be able to afford a dslr and are stealing all the good spots from you. People who are so call holding better equipments, holding a mamiya or leica, glaring at you and giving you sneers that you are a wannabe when all you are doing is what you have been paid for? There was once i was even locked out of the wedding couple's room whom are my friend who paid for my services, by the groom's overzealous relatives who are also having professional looking equipments, thus missing out on some of the good moments. The best part is yet to come, when i delivered my work, i am not bragging, forgive me if i sound like i do, but the wedded couple actually think my shots are more way classy and beautiful then what those two have taken. They printed my shots and show it to everyone who compliments my work but both of them and a few others who just happens not to have a favourable view of me using a 4/3 system, passed a remark "oh its photoshopped, that's why nice. "How do all of you tolerate all this nonsense?
I have not even included others whom looks at me with those eyes and showing off that they have more knowledge than me and speaking loudly to their friends or passing remarks to family members on my technical skills like how i should have posed the couple or where i should have stand to have a better angle, should off the flash etc.. Making me look unprofessional or just another guy with a camera which i admit i am in that situation. I'm sorry if my ranting is boring but i just want to end this by saying i have absolute respect for people in this industry for what you are doing because its never an easy job. Really curious just how do you all do it. Salute!