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Wedding photography declining ???
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Do you (wedding photographers) find a decline and less importance put on wedding albums/photographers ,It’s something I am getting into slowly so I am doing more research on it as I have 2 other business, I am questioning customers about weddings in general in casual conversation what has been very clear that of the 15-20 wedding coming up that none of them has hired a photographer, They are using father’s brother’s and friends, Is this going to be the trend?, Is it people cutting back?,
I know it’s going to be a very hard business to survive in at least for the next few years, I have been taking photos for over 25 years, and in our small area there has been 5 people set up as part time wedding photographers out of the blue, people I know as customers of mine but never seen them with a camera before.
I know for me I am having second thought’s about my full time venture, even having spent a lot of money on gear, training, doing free weddings etc.
The free weddings was to build up a portfolio ( before anyone gives out ‘:lol:’) for a main street studio/gallery/framing etc.Hi Liam,
from a personal point of view I have found that there are definately less opportunities out there for wedding photography. My bookings are a fair bit down on last year and I know of many other photographers in the same boat – although some are finding no difference at all. There would appear to be a number of reasons for this.
Firstly, couples are cutting back on costs and most of the have a friend / uncle with the necessary “good camera with lots of megapixels” which makes weddings photography a doddle :lol:
I have also heard of a number of couples contacting colleges and asking students to do their wedding shots.
Photography is one of the few professions where you can become a “professional” without any formal qualification and I have noticed a large influx of new photographers into my own area. Many of these are offering cheap packages in order to build up their portfolio, and, understandably, in the current climate, couples are tending to go with them.From what I can see at the moment is that the “cake is getting smaller but more people want a slice” – its just the way of the world and the result of the current situations many couples find themselves in.
I figure in a couple of years that things will even themselves out and stabilise. I have already heard a few stories of couples being very disappointed with their wedding snaps as they cut corners, I have also had a couple of requests from recently married couples to see what I can do with their photos (all in digital) as they are not great.
To be honest, the downturn in work for photographers is probably no worse than what many workers are feeling at the moment and a lot of couples who postponed their weddings for this year and next year (I know quite a few) will eventually get married, and, in a few years time there could well be a glut of weddings .
If you need any details / feedback or clarification on any concerns or issues you might have about going pro feel free to drop me a line.
Rgds
Kevin
Wedding photography per se isn’t declining. I think weddings generally are down. Some couples are using friends to do the shots but those I’ve spoken to have regretted that decision. I think the general public in the “getting married” age range have got used to iPod sounds and camphone pictures. They see a shot from a decent SLR and think WOW!
Si
I’ve never done a wedding and will never be likely to do one – it’d frighten the life out of me in case it all went wrong. But as Kevin pointed out – the end result of an uncle with a “good camera” and the results might be winging. I’ve recently been asked from a couple in the US to take post wedding photographs for them when they arrive in Ireland in May. They did the usual but now haven’t any photographs of their day without red-eye or missing heads.
It’ll probably come around again.
Alan
Having got married within the last 2 years I could have probs got some of my photo buddies or online pals to do my shots for me. However after outlaying atleast 15k or so on everything else we decided to book a photographer that our booked tog had referred us to as he overbooked us. They charged around 800 quid but they did an outstanding job and the pics were excellent. Probs the best money outlayed for the whole occasion.
I still look at the album from time to time and as my photo skills get better I am still amazed at the standard of shots these guys produced
Deefrom a bride’s point of view, we spent top money on our wedding photographs and we got a top result. no amount of friends with slrs (i obviously have the wrong friends!) would have matched what we got. since we married 5 years ago, i have never again taken my wedding dress (one of the top 3 biggest expenses) out of the box but the album, although it sits in its suitcase on a shelf for most of the time has made plenty of appearances and people still oooh and aaaah over it and it’s something my kids will look back at.
from the point of view of someone who wants to break into the business, i have had plenty of enquiries for weddings but i firmly tell people that I am not ready even if they would be happy for me to do them cos i “must” be cheaper. no way. and if i were to do one, i wouldn’t incur the wrath of every photographer in the county by undercutting (based on my experience) cos it doesn’t do anybody any good. A LOT of work goes into wedding photography (in my experience as a 2nd shooter and from talking to other pros). Undercutting devalues the industry and yourself.
the fact is, people ARE on a budget and they will spend on what they value most. pro photos aren’t high on the top of some people’s lists until it’s too late. it’s fairly common in the states that couples wait til their 1st anniversary to get their wedding album, thereby spreading the cost over time instead of paying one big chunk at the time of the wedding. obviously, one of the pitfalls is they get divorced before then and you never get an order. :)
have got used to iPod sounds and camphone pictures. They see a shot from a decent SLR and think WOW!
is a very valid point!
good luck!
Hi all,
Photography is one of the few professions where you can become a “professional” without any formal qualificationThere are many professions/businesses where there there is no bar whatsoever to becoming “Professional” in the sense of performing work and getting paid for it. Being a “professional” in the sense of being qualified and equipped to perform a task to accepted (in that trade) “professional” standards is another matter altogether.
I have worked in my own trade since 1973. I have run my own business in that trade since 1989. In those 21 years many companies and individuals have competed in this business. “Qualifications” (in the sense of experience or training) have varied from none to similar to mine. I quickly learned that constantly harping on that my prices were justified because I was highly qualified, paid my taxes, had proper insurance, had highly qualified staff, had the right tools to do the job, kept spare, had proper stocks, had a permanent premises etc etc did’nt seem to get me extra business from prospective customers who were offered “the same job” for “half your price”. Now I just do each job the best I can and it seems to work. I am also less stressed about what everybody else is doing.
A few years ago one of my nieces was getting married. She asked me for some advice with regard to photographs. I advised her to consult one of the many professional photographers in our area. I explained that I would not be able to photograph her wedding to the standard of a professional who did this stuff for a living. Would she ask a photographer to install a telephone system (My business)? A few weeks later I found out that she had got a couple of quotations but with all the expenses she had (including twins to look after) she had’nt got the money to pay a professional. She had decided to make do with whatever photographs were taken on the day. I took her photographs for her as a wedding present. I did this job to the best of my ability. I met with the “happy couple” to decide what images they expected, scouted locations, drew up a plan of action, recruited the bestman & groomsman to help organise the group shots, spare equipment etc etc. The photos turned out fine (I also printed and mounted the chosen images). My niece had a wedding album that she would’nt otherwise have had.
To sum up.
A lot of us are in businesses where there is no bar to entry and there will always be someone out there ready to compete with us whether they are qualified or not. We do the best job we can and hope there will be enough people out there willing to hire us to allow us to earn a living.People make decisions on who to hire to do a job for many reasons. It is not always because they do not know the advantages of hiring a “professional” in the field.
I hope that was’nt too long for a first opinion post.
Good luck to all.
John.hi john, thanks for sharing.
People make decisions on who to hire to do a job for many reasons. It is not always because they do not know the advantages of hiring a “professional” in the field.
This is very true. I’m glad you and your niece had a very positive experience. Sometimes problems occur when people expect pro results while paying peanuts. A lot of couples are very realistic about what they’re getting for what they pay but there are some who will shout bloody murder if they don’t get the €3000 results when they only pay €500.
Wedding bookings are down in the west of ireland for photographers by between 35% and 65%. I know of at least 5 wedding photographers who have ceased business since January and from the members feedback I’m getting, I can see as many more at least getting out before year end. I just learned this week that 2 more (non members of our asociation) have just left and gone back to the UK and Poland without leaving a forwarding address !
I have been making cutbacks myself (no new equipment, spare stock, etc.) as my bookings are down by 32% and one of my planned cuts was insurance when it comes up in June.
Having spent Thursday and yesterday (Friday) in the Circuit Court as a sort of “expert withness” in a wedding photography case I’ve changed my mind on that cutback BIGTIME !
I’ll even be looking for extra insurance just in case.
Keep your insurance up to date and adequately covered for a claim and above all the hearing costs – they are wayyyyyyyy more than the claim (UNREAL).
Yes I do believe that people are cutting back regardless of their wealth. I did a wedding last May for a, shall we say ‘well to do’ couple, who were very happy to hire two ordinary joe soaps to do their wedding. I recon we did it for one third of the cost of a pro tog.
I’m doing another wedding next Friday 27th March and will be using the same method.
I really think people are satisfied enough with the quality that a decent photographer can produce.Some people are….some people aren’t and appreciate photography and ‘work’ harder during the day to ensure they get mega photos – they’re the clients you want to attract 8) .
Hi all, I am new to the business, been a hobby for years and decided to start making money from it. I am still finding my feet when it comes to some areas but weddings are definitely my thing. I have one small ad on a website yet I have 6 bookings for the year and I have done 3 weddings so far this year.
Every one of my clients knows I am not long in the game, and everyone appreciates the fact that I have limited samples, the few free weddings I did and the extremely cheap ones from last year. The weddings I did last year were for people who otherwise would not have had a photographer. Qualifications, no I didnt go to college, but I have been using cameras for years, I have been editing since getting my first software when I was 17, before most people had digital cameras and I work well with people.
I love the buzz of a wedding, I love the pressure and I love the results. Each wedding I have done the couple have come back to me praising me for how I handled every thing on the day and made it such a personal experience. Most of the couples who have booked me for the next year have told me that their priority is they feel comfortable with their photographer and many tell me there and then on meeting that yes they are delighted to have me on board.
As a recent bride also I have a very fresh memory of my day. I booked one photographer who I then decided against, I booked through the studio but as soon as I spoke to him I was not happy, then when he got very abusive when I said I considered changing I decided thats it, vut my losses and change. He kept his 500 deposit but what can you do. I replaced with someone else who ended up in hospital the day before my wedding and ended up getting a last minute substitute who I was very happy with. The thing that meant the most to me on the day is his chirpiness. I had some bad experiences on the day and his constant smiling and up beat attitude kept me going. Becuase of this I thought yes I can do this, and I can do it well, and I have done it well.
I love the business, when its not weddings I shoot child portraits, I shoot boxing and some other private events but my love is weddings, I am never stressed for a wedding and I always enjoy it, I obviously am seeing an increase as its my first year but I havent advertised properly, I dont even have a website. Some said they were enquiring because my prices were lower others because of recommendation, I do think though many are just looking to save a few quid.
sounds like a bit of snobery in the old, i am a professional and others are not. we were all not lucky enough to go to college, or have expencive equipment to pratice with. the way i see it. its like most other trades, mine included. all the money and equipment is nothing without an eye and a passion for the job…..you ether have it or ya dont
dozydelilah wrote:
sounds like a bit of snobery in the old, i am a professional and others are not. we were all not lucky enough to go to college, or have expencive equipment to pratice with. the way i see it. its like most other trades, mine included. all the money and equipment is nothing without an eye and a passion for the job…..you ether have it or ya dont
I hope Saoirse doesn’t mind me using this but I couldn’t resist
“I love a woman with spirit…I DO, I DO!” (O’Reilly The Builder, Fawlty Towers)Very first post on PI and dozydelilah goes in with all guns blazing! Welcome to the site!
I don’t agree with you on the snobbery argument. If you want to do the job professionally then you have to look beyond the artistic inclination and this isn’t just about making money or producing stunning pictures. Yes, you do need talent and a passion for your art.If you want to get involved with dealing with the public then there is a whole different area to be considered and this has been touched on in previous posts. Also, anyone in the business who says that there is nothing to be gained from any further education should reconsider. Having a degree or masters is not a requirement for the business but any visual education is always a benefit. It’s not essential but I wouldn’t knock it.
If you are doing weddings and produce a job that is OK but doesn’t shine as the bride expected, then things can turn nasty. If you go sick the day before your gig and have not familiarised yourself with the local snappers then who do you fall back on to bail you out.
If you look at the curriculum for Dun Laoghaire art college you will see that the Professional Photography course covers more than the aesthetics of photography, there is a business aspect to it aswell. Being a professional is a reference to your work ethics and outlook.
I would never suggest that if anyone wants to be a professional photographer, that they must attend third level to qualify but I do think that some sort of qualification system would be in order. It could be an apprentice system. We already have various bodies which offer titles and gradings based on a submitted portfolio and maybe these bodies should consider taking the ‘professional’ aspect to a further level. This discussion has gone on before on this and many other website discussion boards but as yet there is no certification board that has been given the defining authority about specific enforceable requirements for someone to be a wedding photographer or such like.
Smelltheglove is obviously making a go of it and is making an impression on her clients. This shows that you can get on the ladder with determination, enthusiasm, talent and social skills and I would suspect that you would be the same.David
Kinda gone a bit away from the original sentiments of the thread, sorry.
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