Being the tough, macho man that I am... ahem... I don't know if I should post the reason or not, lest someone might think I'm not really all that macho.
Weddings make me cry.
I started shooting weddings shortly after the death of my late wife. We had a great, wonderful marriage, and watching/working with young people who are in love and looking forward to a life together just made me feel good all over. 200 weddings later I'm still moved by the experience, and I like being a part of it.
Now, pardon me while I go chop some firewood, rassle a bear and kick the snot out of a wolverine or two.
I shoot weddings for a couple of reasons. One is the satisfation I get from showing off my images to the Bride and Groom afterwards. I shoot product for a mail order catalog, and the only time I hear any feedback on my work is when people do not like something.
Hearing a Bride tell me that my wife, and I did a wonderful job, and will recommend me to all their friends is a bonus. The more people they tell, the more weddings I can shoot, and the more money I can make. The more money I make, the sooner I can get out of my catalog job! :-)
What I like about photography is that it captures a fraction of a second in time that means something to someone. Whether it is the photographer or the subject, in a life that is measured in hours and, days it is the small momments that are often overlooked that we as photographers capture for postarity making the people we shoot for happy. That and all the other stuff people have said.
Sharing in a couples wedding by photographing the event allows me to meet and get to know people who are more genuine than just about any other time in their lives. People tend to drop their defenses, tear down the wall and show the goodness of their spirit on the wedding day.
At least until the bar has been open for a while. Then it's just good old fashioned fun people watching.
BarnDog wrote:
Sharing in a couples wedding by photographing the event allows me to meet and get to know people who are more genuine than just about any other time in their lives. People tend to drop their defenses, tear down the wall and show the goodness of their spirit on the wedding day.
At least until the bar has been open for a while. Then it's just good old fashioned fun people watching.
StellaRew wrote:
for me..and Im relatively new to making money from my photography - its because I'm doing a job I love and getting paid for it - it doesnt actually feel like 'work'! The bonus is the social interaction, being able to capture someones very special day for them and the positive feedback I get just gives me the most amazing high :-)
So, I guess for me its not about the money (although that is a necessary part of making the business work!), its about doing the job I love.
Stella
So true as i have finally decided to give up my well paying day job in order to shoot weddings full time.
