Why it's all worth it.

A lot of photographers seem to dog on wedding photography. When I tell another photographer that I shoot weddings for a living I often get something like "Oh man, I feel sorry for you." I think it was Zack Arias who recently had an article explaining how all other photographer consider us bottom feeders. It kind of had me down.

Then this morning I found a couple of emails (below) in my inbox from a recent bride and her mother, and they reminded me why I love doing this, and why I'm proud to be a wedding photographer.

"Matt!!! Oh my gosh! You are AMAZING!!! The pictures are so wonderful. I cannot tell you how much I love them. They are the best pictures I have seen from any wedding. I am so impressed and so thankful for the work you've done. Really...I'm speechless. I don't know how I'm going to choose which ones I want to blow up!! There aren't words to express my gratitude for what you've done and what you've given us to remember our wedding. I couldn't have asked for anything more. You have surpassed any expectations that I had. Thanks again!! Have a great weekend. Carly"

"Matt, I am Carly's mom. I just got off the phone with Carly and we went through each picture. I just wanted to let you know that they are ALL fabulous! You are just an incredible photographer. It's going to be nearly impossible to pick from them. I may have a large wedding album at my house! We appreciate you and your art so very much! We will treasure these pictures all our days and remember you fondly.
Thanks again and God Bless You! Cathy"

We may not ever be famous or glamorous, but we have the opportunity to make some of the most important photos for people that will ever be made in their life, and in many cases they will be treasured by people long after everyone forgets about some fancy ad or promo photos.

The two times I attempted wedding photography I was totally unprepared. Which led to disaster of course. I know I will never perform brain surgery, but that doesn't mean that I look down on brain surgeons!

Bottom feeders?????????????????????? Goodness, NO! I DO feel sorry for wedding photographers, but because of the awesome responsibility, nit-picky subjects and challenging contrast/exposure that they face!!!!!
Bottom feeders? IMO, wedding photographers deserve a medal!!!!!!

Nothing but respect for wedding photographers. If anything I look up to the wedding shooters because they are some of the sharpest, hardest working folks around. I also admire the ability that wedding photographers have to think on the fly, determining the most creatively correct shots to recreate the wedding event for the couple and the family long after the wedding event has passed.

I received and still receive mentoring from a local wedding photographer and friend with years of experience named Mike. Mike has always treated me well and given me lots of advice on shooting in difficult situations, advice on gear, and anything that I know about reading light I've learned from putting Mike's advice into practice.

Bottom feeders ... Really? Not from my perspective!

Boy do you have me pegged wrong- I do and have nothing but the utmost respect for those who have chosen to make wedding work their specialty. I've done weddings and will do so again when given the opportunity. It's hard work and the pressure is on with every shot. A good wedding photographer is worth their weight in gold.

Henry Peach wrote: A lot of photographers seem to dog on wedding photography. When I tell another photographer that I shoot weddings for a living I often get something like "Oh man, I feel sorry for you." I think it was Zack Arias who recently had an article explaining how all other photographer consider us bottom feeders. It kind of had me down.

Then this morning I found a couple of emails (below) in my inbox from a recent bride and her mother, and they reminded me why I love doing this, and why I'm proud to be a wedding photographer.

"Matt!!! Oh my gosh! You are AMAZING!!! The pictures are so wonderful. I cannot tell you how much I love them. They are the best pictures I have seen from any wedding. I am so impressed and so thankful for the work you've done. Really...I'm speechless. I don't know how I'm going to choose which ones I want to blow up!! There aren't words to express my gratitude for what you've done and what you've given us to remember our wedding. I couldn't have asked for anything more. You have surpassed any expectations that I had. Thanks again!! Have a great weekend. Carly"

"Matt, I am Carly's mom. I just got off the phone with Carly and we went through each picture. I just wanted to let you know that they are ALL fabulous! You are just an incredible photographer. It's going to be nearly impossible to pick from them. I may have a large wedding album at my house! We appreciate you and your art so very much! We will treasure these pictures all our days and remember you fondly.
Thanks again and God Bless You! Cathy"

We may not ever be famous or glamorous, but we have the opportunity to make some of the most important photos for people that will ever be made in their life, and in many cases they will be treasured by people long after everyone forgets about some fancy ad or promo photos.

Bottom feeders are the paparazzi.

I don't do wedding because I don't want to deal with brides.

Wedding PhotoG's have tremendous skill and consistency when done at high level.

Bottom feeders?

Scotty wrote:

Henry Peach wrote: A lot of photographers seem to dog on wedding photography. When I tell another photographer that I shoot weddings for a living I often get something like "Oh man, I feel sorry for you." I think it was Zack Arias who recently had an article explaining how all other photographer consider us bottom feeders. It kind of had me down.

Then this morning I found a couple of emails (below) in my inbox from a recent bride and her mother, and they reminded me why I love doing this, and why I'm proud to be a wedding photographer.

"Matt!!! Oh my gosh! You are AMAZING!!! The pictures are so wonderful. I cannot tell you how much I love them. They are the best pictures I have seen from any wedding. I am so impressed and so thankful for the work you've done. Really...I'm speechless. I don't know how I'm going to choose which ones I want to blow up!! There aren't words to express my gratitude for what you've done and what you've given us to remember our wedding. I couldn't have asked for anything more. You have surpassed any expectations that I had. Thanks again!! Have a great weekend. Carly"

"Matt, I am Carly's mom. I just got off the phone with Carly and we went through each picture. I just wanted to let you know that they are ALL fabulous! You are just an incredible photographer. It's going to be nearly impossible to pick from them. I may have a large wedding album at my house! We appreciate you and your art so very much! We will treasure these pictures all our days and remember you fondly.
Thanks again and God Bless You! Cathy"

We may not ever be famous or glamorous, but we have the opportunity to make some of the most important photos for people that will ever be made in their life, and in many cases they will be treasured by people long after everyone forgets about some fancy ad or promo photos.

Bottom feeders are the paparazzi.

I don't do wedding because I don't want to deal with brides.

Wedding PhotoG's have tremendous skill and consistency when done at high level.

exactly

Rob pix4u2 wrote: Boy do you have me pegged wrong-

I have never heard that sort of attitude around here at PT, but I run into it elsewhere more often than I like.

Here's that ZA blog post zackarias.com/for-photographers/philosophy/respect/

Although the title seems positive, I've read it twice now, and still can't decide whether I am pleased or offended.

I couldn't even get thru all of it, I quit reading about when I got to the blurry picture (I don't get what that's supposed to be). I don't do weddings or brain surgery and wouldn't have a clue how to do either. So maybe that's why I didn't follow much of his line of thinking (photographing a wedding is like a boy band??)

He seems to do a lot of name dropping and mentions when he was an assistant as much as anything. He's a teacher?? but talked about what he'd do if he was photographing a wedding - if he's never done one then what does he know about it? If people want to follow him, read his blog, that's up to them, I don't think I would.

Matt you could write a blog way better than this.