During this off-season,
I have had some quiet time to turn off the computer, put my camera away,
and reflect upon my unusual feelings of weariness
about wedding photography.
I discovered I am so exhausted from the race to create
COOLEST, CRAZIEST PROP, MOST UNIQUE, MAGICAL and UNREAL editorial shoot…
only for that shining moment on a wedding blog to last 24 hours before the next
COOLEST, CRAZIEST PROP, MOST UNIQUE, MAGICAL and UNREAL editorial shoot is posted.
We (photographer’s) are in the midst of fighting to be recognized and discovered from THINGS,
fake couples, and fake moments.
Ribbons, succulents, vintage typewriter’s, and polka-dot bow ties are being glorified
rather than the emotion, art, or story of the images.
It feels like our worth as photographer’s has become measured
by how many times, or which blog or magazine features our work….
but those sources’ focus on the details and things,
therefore our worth is measured by those very things.
Becoming consumed by these notions has served a great purpose in my photography
because it allowed me to question and discover what I truly believe in!
I believe in organic, messy, quirky, raw
EMOTIONS and MOMENTS.
(Note: That does not mean the portrait session will/should be eliminated.
Also, the emotions and moments completely depend on the subjects’.
I am simply an observer.
I have had brides/grooms who keep their composure emotionally throughout the day….
whether it’s on purpose or their personality or both,
I’m not sure.)
I tried to run in this crazy race (that feels more like a marathon),
but now I’m ready to STOP and turn in the opposite direction,
in a race with myself.
“Winning” will mean that every single wedding I shoot,
I am shooting it for ME,
always remembering the people and the LOVE is of the upmost importance.
That may mean no one in the wedding industry will ever know my name or my business.
But I am now okay with that.
“This ain’t no place for the weary kind….
pick up your crazy heart and give it one more try.”
-Ryan Bingham
“The Weary Kind”
Fellow photographer’s…what are your thoughts?
I am NOT blaming anyone about anything.
I’m just sharing my thoughts from this past year,
they are neither right nor wrong.
