We at Positive Images by Rettberg have participated in over one dozen bridal shows and open houses since the beginning of the year. One thing is certain about this market. There are way too many people claiming to be professional wedding photographers out there.
I am sad that a profession that once had such a high skill level is reducing its quality at the levels I have witnessed. Tob e sure, the economy has been a big factor in the influx of "professional" photographers, but the main reason as I see it, is the perception that it is easy, and that anybody can get great quality wedding images.
There is truth in the statement that parts of the shooting end have gotten easier.
The ability to get instant feedback via the back of a camera is very helpful, but also, very dangerous.
It is a lazy photographers way of learning their craft. To keep shooting until something looks good is not being professional. Thinking that Photoshop or the myriad of other programs out there designed to enhance images artificially is professional is just wrong.They are tools not crutches.
Lets face it. Any amateur with an interest can do the same or better.
To be a true professional requires an advanced understanding of light and how it captures the images it sees. On weddings, the photographer must know how to arrange and embelish groupings of people, and to capture images of people in a flattering way that makes them feel as good looking at their photographs as they felt on their wedding day.
A true professional wedding photographer must understand client service, and deliver a product of high quality in a professionally crafted album. They must brand themselves by being consistent in appearance in what they present themselves as, the look of their promotional materials, and their demeanor in dealing with the many types of people they will encounter.
A true professional wedding photographer continually upgrades their own skill level through seminars, professional schools, attending conventions, and dare I say reading about what it takes to be a true pro.
Professional wedding photography is being reduced in its importance to todays couples
because our industry at the highest levels failed to differentiate itself from the amateur as technology changed. To be fair PPof A and WPPI, our two largest professional organizations are in full gear on the education of what it takes to look and act like a pro, but they let about six years of inferiority creep into the system. The prime focus of most organizations is to get large numbers of members to dangle in front of the industry's big vendors such as Canon and Nikon.
I don't see things really changing for the better until we can once again be charging a signifcant price for a quality product and service that people see not only value in, but equate with an item that only someone of a high degree of skill can produce.
