Go To The Podcast Site“You Are Smooth!”
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We got this comment from a recent wedding I was photographing. My wife was visiting with one of the guests who was watching us work, and their comment was “You sure are smooth!” When asked more about what they meant, they explained that Craig’s method of photographing different groups was
1) Well thought out
2) Pleasant for the people being photographed
3) Got the Bride and Groom LOTS of different photographs
4) in a very short period of time
5) “And Craig is so great with the little kids. The expressions were GREAT! I can’t wait to see them!”
And since I do this (wedding photography) on a regular basis, comments like this come quite often, and to some degree, it’s surprising.
Why Surprising!
It’s surprising because I guess I assume other Wedding Photographers can claim that they too have a smooth, thought out system of getting a wide variety of photographs. But the sad fact is, many don’t.
It points out that over 2 decades of experience and award winning talent that I can bring to the table suddenly becomes the best deal in today’s tough economic climate. The lowest price photographer, who doesn’t have the experience, talent or skills, becomes the most expensive when the Bridal Couple realizes that the money they spent gets them photographs that are only ordinary; and this is usually discovered after the wedding is over. You can’t go back and do it again.
Is your photographer smooth? Is there a plan? Is there skill? Does the photographer work well with people? Does it take FOREVER to get the photographs taken? And do the groupings look stiff?
These are the questions to keep in mind as you shop for your Wedding Photographer.
What experiences have YOU had with a Wedding Photographer recently? Good? Bad? Join in the conversation! Click on “Comments” above, right under the title of this post!
Nice article, Craig. Interesting timing as my husband just shot a wedding about a week ago. He is not a full-time photographer, but his day job does require it and he does a lot of freelance work.
Wedding photography is so challenging because you walk a fine line. Every bride wants to look beautiful on the outside, but you also need to capture all the internal beauty and personality, as well. So much emotion happens during weddings and the surrounding events.
My husband is really good at capturing candid moments — which is why many people love to have him do their photography. Getting through the formal shots and all their permutations smoothly and efficiently is definitely a challenge at times.
If I haven’t said it before, kudos to you and your work. It is beautiful.
You can’t go back and do it again.
Oh yes, you can. My wife’s sister’s wedding in Fargo… someone turned on the light in the darkroom at this well-known Photographer’s in Moorhead. And ruined them all. We were all called back 2 weeks later, at the photographers expense… they paid for all the tuxes, even paid for my gas from Glendive. And we shot ‘em again.
Dennis:
Your point is well taken. In a situation like you describe, that’s where the photographer’s membership in the national Professional Photographers of America comes in. In such a situation, the member photographer is able to re-create the wedding and the expenses are covered (in part) by their membership in the national association. In my opinion, EVERY bride should require some sort of protection in case something should happen that is out of the control of the bride. But this too, many overlook.
Just understand, the point I was making in the article, is that if you hire a less-than-pro photographer, you’ll get pictures alright; it’s just that you won’t like them very much, they won’t “speak” to you the way a truly skilled photographer can.
It’s in cases like this that you can’t go back and do it again.
Thanks for your story, Dennis! It’s a great one!
Craig
Scott Friedt said to Craig on Facebook:
Totally agree! What an amazing job you did with our wedding making everyone feel comfortable and then resulting in incredible photos. Made the whole day feel smooth. Thanks Craig!