Wedding Photography is like no other kind of photography...IMHO

If you’re brand new to photography and someone told you that weddings are the best way to get started because “that’s where the money is,” allow me to offer a bit of a warning to this advice- BEWARE!

Photography is an amazing artistic outlet and shooting weddings is, in my rather biased opinion, the most complete expression of photographic artistry there is.

Aren’t there a LOT of other kinds of photography?

Yes, there certainly are, my friend! Let's look at the other specializations of photography. You have your Portrait Photography, Landscape Photography, Interior and Exterior Architectural Photography, Children's Photography, Party Pics (or Event Photography if you're a bit touchy about the semi-demeaning phase, "party pics"), Boudoir Photography, Still Life Photography, Live Music Photography, Sports Photography, Food Photography, General Commercial Photography, Wildlife Photography, Product Photography, Fashion Photography and Photojournalism.

I probably missed some, but that’s a pretty good list.

So, what makes Wedding Photography so special?

I'm glad you asked because, on any given wedding day, you can experience most, if not ALL, of these types of photography. This means the Wedding Photographer has to be the most accomplished photographer if they are to be a success.

You’d be hard-pressed to find any other industry where you have to be great at everything to be great at one thing.

And this is just taking into consideration the PHOTOGRAPHY part of the equation. Don’t forget about Sales, Marketing and Customer Service.

Is there money in Wedding Photography? You bet!

Can you be a success if you're the greatest photographer on the planet? Sure!

Will you fail miserably if all you can do is be a great photographer? Absolutely!

And this is exactly what Inside Wedding Photography is all about.

I consider myself a really good wedding photographer (better than many, not as good as some), but my experience has taught me the difference between good photography, great photography, and world-class photography lies in the eye of the person you’re shooting for.

Not everyone’s opinion is the same.

Can you suck and still be a successful photographer? I sure hope not, but I’ve seen a LOT of photographers’ work, and let’s just say different people appreciate different things.

But let’s get back on topic. In order to be a successful wedding photographer, you will have to adapt your skills to a significant number of different photography styles.

Anyone who looks honestly at the process of shooting weddings can’t deny that Wedding Photography is a singular discipline…and this is great news if you like to shoot a variety of things.

Next week, I’ll break down a number of these specialized areas of photography and show how they are represented during a wedding day.

Until then, do as I tell all aspiring photographers to do (when I’m asked for advice on how to get better), “Shoot, Shoot, Shoot!”