PhotosByRDD
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"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Many folks wouldn't know a bad photograph if it walked up a slapped them in face. Conversely, a lot wouldn't recognize an outstanding image to save their life. If you look around... dig deep enough, you'll find mediocre photographers commanding extremely high fees, very gifted photographers charging budget rates and every imaginable combination in-between.
Truth be told there are a lot of people selling themselves as "professional wedding photographers" that probably shouldn't be. (Heck, I was probably one of them at one time... may still be!  ) That's all fun and games until they really screw up someone's wedding day and have to deal with a very angry bride. From the outside looking in wedding photography appears to be easy money. It is anything but. There's a lot of hard work involved, many more hours are spent than those just at the event and, as you can probably imagine, it's a very, very competitive market at the moment. I'm not trying to discourage you here... or any other newbies... just telling you like it is.
My first experience shooting weddings was in the 80's. Good ole film days. My first wedding shoot was for a niece. They didn't have much money, I was a shutterbug, you know how it goes. It actually turned out pretty good, but I didn't love doing it. Next wedding, another niece. Didn't turn out as well, but the images were ok. After that one, a sister-in-law... seeing a pattern here?  I was never really comfy with shooting those early weddings. I constantly worried about all the things that could go wrong with a film camera: Did the film advance?, Exposure ok?, Back close tightly?, Focus ok?... the things to fret over seemed endless. I just couldn't relax and enjoy myself. After all, you can't exactly arrange a reshoot for a wedding!
Many years later as digital photography was just coming into its own and I was beginning to play with it a close friend hounded me into shooting his wedding. I shot it with digital and backed it up with film. The use of digital was like a weight had been removed from my shoulders. I could "chimp" and verify that I had the shot. I actually had fun! Not too long after that my step-son was getting married, on a shoe-string budget. Again I got talked into shooting the event, again loving the security digital gave me. Word got around. I discovered that I really, really enjoyed shooting weddings and the rest is history.
Last year was the first year I've ever second-shot for anyone. Brian is one of the photographers I shot for. I also second shot a Hindu wedding for a talented photographer out of Wilmingtion, NC and did reception coverage only for a Jacksonville, NC photographer. It was a lot of fun to see how other photographers appraoch things... a good learning experience. Even though I'm entering into my 4th or 5th year as a wedding studio here in Eastern NC, I'm very open to second shooting when the opportunity arises. It really is a great experience. If I'd known a few years ago what I know now, that's probably how I'd have "cut my teeth" in the industry.
Now a little something about comparing "your best" to the "pros best:" Keep in mind there's a lot involved in the production of those "portfolio" images your see on most of the pros' sites. Proper composition and exposure of course, but many times also the use of off camera lighting plus a lot of work in Lightroom/Bridge and Photoshop. The difference I can make to my images from a few years ago with the post processing techniques I've learned since is really almost scarey!
Wedding photography is not for everyone. Many more will try and fail than will succeed. It's something you either love or you don't.
Hope my ramblings helped,
Bob D.
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