As I last mentioned, my step-son got married this past weekend. It was a beautiful wedding even if there were thunderstorms, a tornado warning and yes, even a confirmed tornado sighting within 10 miles of the event. Ben and Amanda, may you have a wonderful life together — it was an exciting beginning! ;-)
Brent Gulledge, a Charlotte NC based photographer, photographed the wedding. From viewing my step-sons engagement shots and other Brent photos, he does good work, plus, he’s a nice guy.
There were a few pre-wedding fringe activities I was asked to photograph. I’ve never wanted to be a Wedding Photographer, lots of hard work and stress of getting “the shot,” but it was fun to shoot the less critical events. I did introduced myself to Brent when our paths first crossed and explained my limited purpose. Once the wedding guest begin to arrive my camera went to the car and I enjoyed the wedding and of course watching Brent work — watch and learn. I have deep respect for working photographers and would never knowingly take a shot which intruded upon another photographers legit “territory.”
This week I’m working through a couple hundred wedding related photos that made the first cut. That number will probably fall to around 150 or so final photos.
The photo above is of one of three large overhead lights on the wood paneled ceiling of the historic Salisbury Train Station, where the reception was held. I took this photo for me. I was watching the hall being set-up with tables and flowers and was attracted by this ceiling and lighting. Very little post-processing on this photo.
Glad the wedding went well and I too wish the best for them in their married life.
I’ve done a few weddings and really struggled with the self induced stress. I almost think they should be done by a pair of working photographers. I’ve worked a couple of weddings with other photographers and found it works well.
I would struggle with self-induced stress as well. A wedding is one of the most important events in a couples life, especially for the women, and I’d feel a tremendous responsibility in producing appropriate photos. Lots of photographers will have a “second chair,” so to speak, helping them cover an event.
Earl, great image of the ceiling. It looks like tongue and grove and some poor guy likely made hundreds of trips up and down the ladder cutting and installing the wood. Truly a work of art!
Steve, thanks! Your right about the tongue and grove and I’m sure there were hours and hours spent fitting it all together. You don’t see that level of workmanship much anymore.
I have a short list of wedding photographers I recommend when asked. I haven’t even enjoyed any of my own weddings let alone the stress of shooting one for someone. I have the utmost respect for the folks that make it work and do it well.
It’s for certain a type of photography with a high customer support stress — even if you do everything right they may not like the results. For this wedding, I personally enjoy the moment I put my camera away and became nothing more than a guest.
Congrats and all that! It was nice of you to get out of the way. I did wedding photography for about a year, long, long ago. Long enough, certainly, to realize that I didn’t like it and would never consider it again, unless that was the only, and I mean, only job that I could get.
I agree with Monte, you need 2, usually 3 photographers. One for the bride, one for the groom, one to work the reception, arrivals, and ancillary events. I’ve got nothing but big time respect for anyone who does that for a living.
Thanks! People look for bargains when it comes to a photographer and there’s lots of competition in wedding photography so the money is not all that great, especially considering the shooting and long post-processing hours. One person can hardly get by on what most people are willing to pay for a wedding photographer, much less two or three.
The digital age has made everyone believe they can be a photographer, and perhaps the can, but they can’t all be good wedding photographers. :-)