I am trying to understand the various ways photographers and customers respond to the economy and new offers. Sometimes couples decide to meet up with their wedding photographer prior to the wedding to produce some engagement pictures. It is fun, relaxed and a good way to know each other. The aim is to capture some staged, creative or very laid back shots that represent the two individuals the way they really are without the dress or suit. There is no pressure of formalities, backdrop and running order. It is a separate job from the wedding duty. Same applies to baby pictures, portraits, etc... It takes the photographer half a day to travel, chat with couple, shoot, process, edit, deliver. The couple may eventually use one picture for their invitations, order of service, cards, blog, website, etc...It is also a way to present the photographer' style to the guests and families. And somehow you become more part of it as if you were a guest.
Recently more and more people are asking me for trial session before the wedding day. "What do you mean ?" I ask them. They answer that it is a way for them to feel more confident with the photographer. It doesn't really make sense to me but I can understand where it comes from...
1/ with the recession all sorts of offers arise such as trial shots, last dress fitting shots, visiting the venue beforehand, etc...Those offers do not make things better or worse, it is simply psychological for the customer and a way for the freelance to get the job - fair enough. In fact, if you decide that such photographer will be the one based on the fact that he/she does trial shots, it simply shows that you don't trust him/her to do the job properly on the wedding day. That is a bad start. If you are looking for someone who does Reportage, you will hardly notice him/her on the day to be frank, except for the group and couple' shots. To do Reportage is the art of becoming invisible. If you are looking for traditional wedding posed photography, that's something else...
2/ from a photographer's point of view or I would say amateur one. To do trial shots is a way to promote yourself working for cheaper. It is also a way of producing pictures in a very reassuring atmosphere compare to the actual wedding day. Therefore, amateur photographers, using digital, build a collection of materials to be used on the websites to promote themselves. The trouble is that those pictures are not pictures from the wedding day as we talk. Those pictures are staged materials like fashion shoots. It is simply called a set-up. I have seen in the last two years so many websites with the couple only in the fields, on the beach, veil in the wind, wide angle, etc...what does it have to do with wedding reportage? - Simply nothing. You should actually ask them about the materials they usually deliver. Photography and photographers can sell you everything and anything with visuals, so does advertising.
3/ I also wonder why people want me to visit the venue months before the wedding day? I will spend a good 8 hours in the venue on the day, I will have plenty of time to visit the place before and during. If you visit the venue on a different day than the wedding day it will look completely different, that doesn't really help. People are concerned about the light. If you are a professional photographer you should have the required equipment to any kind of light conditions.
4/ Wedding photography is still a very grey area for people. It is regarded as the low point of Photography from as much outsiders than insiders. In the first case it is about trusting someone else, in the second it is about trusting yourself. To do wedding photography is a lot of pressure on your shoulders, and you have to be good at so many techniques and human flair.I truly believe that a talented wedding photographer is worth spending money. Pictures will be the only physical things left years later.
5/ To be a good reportage style photographer is about adapting to all circumstances, be creative and discreet. A good photojournalist is firstly a good observer and then a story teller. All the offers promoted in the last couple of years just show how people and photographers are sceptical. Digital engendered by amateurism just lowered the standards, but hightened the dream of the clientele thanks to fake imagery. In Reportage there is no beauty coming from manipulation. In Reportage the beauty is just there, everywhere, around you, within you,...
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