Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/02/21

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Subject: RE: [Leica] OT...But camera related..
From: "Gerry Walden" <gwpics@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 13:38:54 -0000

Mark

You are getting too cynical for your own good! I have done hundreds of
weddings (got up to 70 in one year once) and I still really enjoy most of
them, although one or two can be hard work. It is not that bad if you go
into it with a positive attitude from the word 'Go'. I remember getting
married once (only once, and still with her after 34 years) and I couldn't
afford my wedding photos either. In those days they were in b&w and the
photographer took about 3 rolls of 120 and, if he really liked you, he may
break into the fourth. But then, from what I hear, you Americans go a bit
over the top with your posing against the sunset etc. etc. Here in the UK if
we even see the sun we gaze in wonderment too transfixed to photograph it.

Gerry

Gerry Walden LRPS
www.gwpics.com <http://www.gwpics.com>
Tel: +44 (0)23 8046 3076



Weddings usually consist of just about most everyone shooting pictures with
their own cameras fairly constantly. Sometimes its only half the people.
Rarely less. Handing out cardboard ones would aggravate the unfortunate
situation in at least two different ways.
    They came to play with their own cameras
    More clicking. Flashing.

What every happened to a wedding where people talked to each other. Ate.
Danced. Nowadays all they do is play with cameras. Haven't you been to a
wedding lately?
I haven't.
I bet they're all shooting everything with their cell phones.

Long after you've forgotten what the priest or judge said at the wedding to
get them married you've got the pictures. If you've got a video then what
was said at the alter will be remembered. The sound is more than half of it.
A tape recordist and a still photographer would do it. They won't let you do
that. "Half Nagra will Travel". Just like they didnšt let you have chocolate
cake when I first started in the wedding biz which is when I got married
myself. Most people hire the wedding photographer just about first.

Putting the pictures at this low of a priority is a mistake.
That's my very biased opinion (except that I'm right) as a photographer
whose done 150 weddings over 25 years. Which in effect means I'd been in the
wedding business for 25 years. But 6 weddings a year is nothing. These guys
do that on a weekend.
I'm just as fond, though of being called a wedding photographer as I am
"Marky Mark".

Believe me when they yell fire you'll forget your cat - forget your pearls
but will grab that wedding book as you run choking out the door.
Hopefully with your wife.


Mark Rabiner
Photography
Portland, Oregon
http://rabinergroup.com/



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