"Unique" Wedding Photographers

[rexbobcat]

So, uh, I'm probably going to offend some people but w/e. I don't know any less forward way to ask.

Okay, so I've been looking at wedding lately and I think I've realized why I don't like it. Most of the photographers approach it in what I consider a boring way...in terms of aesthetics.

Yeah I know people have to make a living blah blah, and kitschy styles sell, blah blah, but Im just curious if anyone knows of wedding photographers who try and get "creative" with it?

IE: unconventional compositions, post-processing that does not look faded and "vintage"

I'm just tired of seeing faux- vintage splashed everywhere on wedding portfolios. Why has it not over-stayed its welcome yet?

 

[thetrue]

I, too, would like to know the answers to these questions.

 

[Pallycow]

I guess people want traditional for their weddings. It's a very important time for them. Don't mess with success sort of thing too. Do what works.

Maybe with prop 1 in effect here in Maine we'll see some more "untraditional" weddings, and have more area to play in, in terms of creativity and fun, as there is no "tradition" on gay marriage.

It only takes a few to think outside the box and be original. Maybe you can be that person. Do something fun and creative and show that it can be done differently as you see it in your mind.

 

[amolitor]

The big thing you need to keep in mind with almost any commercial work is that people want the same old thing. The want the thing they saw in that place, except it should be for them and maybe it should be a little pinker.

The bride doesn't want your damned art, she wants a bunch of photos that look like her friend's photos, except she should look a little thinner and hotter than her friend.

 

[o hey tyler]

While I process with a method that most would consider to be "vintage" I also try to make compositions that are outside the box. Often times, clients ask for that type of processing, or they'll tell me "I like the "look" of your images."

If it sells, it sells. And ultimately the happiness of the client is of the utmost importance.

 

[Pallycow]

I was gonna use Tyler as an example, but didn't, but since he posted I will. lol.

He does do things a little different now and then, and it works. One of my friends on my FB saw him post and viewed his site and came back to me and said "that Tyler guy is kinda neat, I've not seen wedding photos like that..and he's so young...he's going to do well". She was an older lady, friend of the family, so she is used to seeing very traditional.

That is just one example, I am sure there are more, even on here. Like I said, it just takes one or two to start doing things different, and having it actually work...to make them stand out and it helps sell.

 

[thetrue]

I'm going to start doing weddings with my T3i and all my PP will be with Instagram, k? That'll show all you traditional types!!

 

[o hey tyler]

I was gonna use Tyler as an example, but didn't, but since he posted I will. lol.

He does do things a little different now and then, and it works. One of my friends on my FB saw him post and viewed his site and came back to me and said "that Tyler guy is kinda neat, I've not seen wedding photos like that..and he's so young...he's going to do well". She was an older lady, friend of the family, so she is used to seeing very traditional.

That is just one example, I am sure there are more, even on here. Like I said, it just takes one or two to start doing things different, and having it actually work...to make them stand out and it helps sell.

You'd never told me that! Tell her thank you!

Also, thetrue, you're welcome to do that... As irresponsible and potentially lawsuit inducing as it would be. It's your life, and it's now or never. We ain't gonna live forever. </jovi>

 

[thetrue]

Tyler, CLEARLY a joke. Hell, I wouldn't even feel comfortable charging for simple portraits, let alone a (presumably) once in a lifetime event!!!

your work is quite nice by the way. I took a gander a few weeks ago and meant to compliment you on your work.

 

[o hey tyler]

Tyler, CLEARLY a joke. Hell, I wouldn't even feel comfortable charging for simple portraits, let alone a (presumably) once in a lifetime event!!!

your work is quite nice by the way. I took a gander a few weeks ago and meant to compliment you on your work.

No, I knew it was a joke. I just had to get the Jovi in. ;-)

Also, thank you bud!

 

[rexbobcat]

I'm just wanting to see something that makes me go "wow" instead of "nice photos that look like everyone else's photos"

The only example I can thin of is Ryan Brenizer but he's become more of a celebrity photographer in his own right...

Like, a photographer who clients hire because of their style instead of asking the photographer to do a certain style.

 

[o hey tyler]

Like, a photographer who clients hire because of their style instead of asking the photographer to do a certain style.

So do I qualify since clients hire because of the aesthetic quality of my images? I guess I'm confused bro.

 

[amolitor]

At any given time, to be sure, there is a modest market for "I want photographs that look like the photographs you take" rather than "I want photographs that look like the ones I saw in the ... ".

Imagine the chaos, though, if everyone had their own style, and customers had to find a photographer whose style they liked, instead of finding some photographs they like and then locating a competent technician who could do pretty much that, maybe with a modest personal twist and a little bespoke styling for the customer. The customers don't want your damned art, and they're mostly right to not want it.

 

[Derrel]

The big thing you need to keep in mind with almost any commercial work is that people want the same old thing. The want the thing they saw in that place, except it should be for them and maybe it should be a little pinker.

The bride doesn't want your damned art, she wants a bunch of photos that look like her friend's photos, except she should look a little thinner and hotter than her friend.

Thinner. Hotter. Most people in their 20's are booking weddings off of blogs and Facebook pages. The gamut is wide...from terrible to terrific, and lots in-between...every wedding is different, but people expect a certain degree of competence. What they want is good pictures of THEMSELVES. And their families. And their events. Whatever it takes to get good photos of a particular wedding is what needs to be done. If the place is a dungeon, with wood paneling, overhead beams, and mounted elk heads all over the walls (seriously, not kidding), the approach will be "one way"...a fancy country club with immaculate grounds presents the photographer with another set of options...a civil ceremony in a judge's chambers yet another set of challenges.

 

[leeroix]

ben chrisman - chrismanstudios.com

the best ive seen...