Times are slow and I can understand the general publics' reluctance at hiring a professional photographer; however, there are an army of qualified, artistic photographers, that want to do what they have been trained and are continuously learning to be the best at what they do, that want to make a living as photographers.
I turn to Craig's List to check on any possible creative gigs where I can put my talent and ability to good use and help pay the rent, only to find ads from wedding couples that will hire anyone that has a digital camera, no wedding experience needed. Oh, and let's not forget to mention students and those learning are welcome to try their hand at capturing one of life's most important moments. You only get one chance!! There isn't room for error. I truly do not understand the mentality behind this when most couples will gladly fork over hundreds of dollars for the wedding cake but not for a photographer!(?) The cake will be long forgotten except for the photos taken of it. Do they only want a snapshot of everything? Does the excited amateur use aperture, exposure, white balance, etc... to make the most of the situation? If they are going to get dressed up for such an important occasion, wouldn't they want the photos to be more than snapshots?
Why not call a professional and tell them what budget you would like for the photogaphy and see if they can offer a package that will work for you instead of offering a "project" to anyone with a camera. This is your life and it is definitely worth more than a cake.
Maybe you're missing the point that for these folks trying to hire a photographer off of Craig's List is pretty much the same thing as how they're looking at their marriage and all that SHOULD entail. Why have quality photographs when 5 years from now none of it means anything anyways? And as for the cake, think instant gratification, they get to taste it right now and boy it better taste really good. Photographs of what should be one of the most important moments in your life? Come on now, they just end up forgotten in a shoe box somewhere on some shelf only to be found one day by little ones who want to know the story, to relive the moment and hear mommy and daddy talk about something they never seem to mention. "Tell us the story daddy. Did mommy really look like that? How come you had so much hair and now you don't?"
ReplyDeleteSell a memory and for those that are actually serious about their moment in front of "God" and others they will get it. If not then let them use Uncle Billy and his $150 camera he just picked up at Best Buy. You're never going to be able to sell quality to idiots and that really is the bottom line.