What got you into photography, let alone wedding photography? And where do you see this field/industry going in the next couple years?
It's gonna be so cool that you are here with us! Come to NJ sometime!
Hey Ted! I actually got forced into it! lol ... my senior year in high school the school guidance counselor told me I had to take an art class in order to graduate. I hated art and I even remember saying "art kids are weird" lol... but I quickly fell in love with photography (and became weird too)
Wedding photography was a similar story - the school I went to didn't have a photo program and so there weren't many people interested into photography but I was living and breathing it through college and so some of my friends asked me to shoot their weddings - often for free - or a couple hundred bucks - but I got more and more stoked on wedding photography because of the freedom it (can) bring.
In the next couple of years I think we're going to continue to see a lot of people enter into wedding photography for many reasons but we're also going to see an increase in the amount of weddings as the echo boomers (baby boomers kids) get married. As there is less opportunities for credit I think we'll see couples spending less and looking for more ways to save by doing things themselves or having friends help out. This doesn't need to be perceived as a negative thing but I do think we need to alter our expectations which have gotten bloated in the past couple of years and focus more on our clients needs and desires and less on what we want to produce. Again, these are just my thoughts. Nobody knows exactly what will happen but what I do know is that in just about every industry there will be lots of opportunities for people to make a big impact very quickly which is exciting.
Now I am wondering if your presence is what helped for weddings to have it's own main category instead of being hidden under "people" category:D
Hey Sheri I know SmugMug has really been watching and looking for ways to help build the wedding community so I think this is just the beginning...and I love beginnings!
Wonderful that you are here David! Thanks so much for being a part of this forum. I look forward to hearing you tips and insights. Your presence will certainly inspire growth in this little corner of dgrin.
Hi David! I know I'm a little late to the party here, but I wanted to offer you a HUGE Welcome! We are so thrilled you're here and your work is truly amazing!
Wonderful that you are here David! Thanks so much for being a part of this forum. I look forward to hearing you tips and insights. Your presence will certainly inspire growth in this little corner of dgrin.
Hi David! I know I'm a little late to the party here, but I wanted to offer you a HUGE Welcome! We are so thrilled you're here and your work is truly amazing!
Emily
I'm thrilled too! This place is great and I'm excited!
So I know that blogs lately are all the rage for photographers...do you have a blog we can all follow to see your latest work as you post it?
You bet! You can view it by going to my website and clicking on the little blog link on the top right and it'll appear right there for you or you can go directly to it by clicking on www.opensourcephoto.net.
My personal opinion is that most photographers waste them by simply posting their pictures on there. I've found blogs and websites to be most successful when they show more of a balance with personality and portfolio so you'll see A LOT of ME on my blog and on my website.
One of my favorite authors for marketing books is Harry Beckwith and he says in his book. What Clients Love, "People don't pay you for how good you are at what you do - they pay you for how good you are at who you are." Isn't that true! So we need to be showing people this on our websites.
My personal opinion is that most photographers waste them by simply posting their pictures on there. I've found blogs and websites to be most successful when they show more of a balance with personality and portfolio so you'll see A LOT of ME on my blog and on my website.
One of my favorite authors for marketing books is Harry Beckwith and he says in his book. What Clients Love, "People don't pay you for how good you are at what you do - they pay you for how good you are at who you are." Isn't that true! So we need to be showing people this on our websites.
Happy Monday!
DJ
I agree. I had one couple, specifically the groom, tell me he really had been excited about working with me after reading my enthusiasm about some new equipment I had purchased and how I was pleased with the results it was giving me. My enthusiasm about my equipment grabbed at him and made him feel like I was that much better, despite the actual photos themselves, it was my passion that drew him in.
So yeah personality on the blog / site, I couldn't agree more!
Welcome...You got one hell of a Website there!! Cheers, tom
Hey thanks Tom! I actually made it myself with Showit Sites. In full disclosure Showit is my company. and we just created the first program to allow photographers to create their own totally unique flash websites. Check it out.
This is such exciting, wonderful news! I feel as if I "know" you David, from hearing all about you from my fabulous Connecticut network friends over the years. I'm such a die-hard SmugMugger... it's so great to have you on board as an Artist-in-Residence!
Ok, David, you rock.
My husband and I just spent a good chunk of our evening going through your site, specifically your wedding section. We were both so inspired! Your use of the video camera capturing the day as you see it is an awesome idea. My husband, who acts as my assistant during shoots, asked me if he should be videotaping me. It's a very catchy technique! Heck, if we weren't married yet, I'd be begging for you to be our photographer!
Since I love goodies, I'd love to hear what lenses you use sometime. I'm sure your glass is worth more than my junky car, but a girl can dream, right?
I knew, of course, that trees and plants had roots, stems, bark, branches and foliage that reached up toward the light. But I was coming to realize that the real magician was light itself.
Edward Steichen
0
Matthew SavilleRegistered Users, Retired ModPosts: 3,352Major grins
edited February 8, 2009
Welcome, from the South OC gang!
DJ, I'm bummed that I didn't hear about your little Smugmug GTG for wedding photographers, I would have loved to come!
Okay I don't claim to be "big" in the industry of course but I've been around for a while and mostly follow the crowd... (Shooting at the Salton Sea this Tuesday, woohoo!)
(For anyone who is looking to get into wedding photography and wants to learn about the BUSINESS side of things, check out Becker's school website, it is awesome.)
I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing Smugmug dedicate some resources to wedding photographers and professionals in general!
Peace out. Oh BTW, shot a wedding in SB just yesterday, actually. Assisted Eric Farewell. Sunset photo shoot was NUTS...
=Matt=
[edit] Hey, Jason Lackey is here too! Good to see you Jason! Remember this?
Comments
davidjay
www.davidjay.com
"A true measure of your worth includes all the benefits others have gained from your success."
Now I am wondering if your presence is what helped for weddings to have it's own main category instead of being hidden under "people" category:D
Atlanta, GA USA
my smugmug
Atlanta Modern Wedding Photographer
SheriJohnsonPhotography.com
Wedding photography was a similar story - the school I went to didn't have a photo program and so there weren't many people interested into photography but I was living and breathing it through college and so some of my friends asked me to shoot their weddings - often for free - or a couple hundred bucks - but I got more and more stoked on wedding photography because of the freedom it (can) bring.
In the next couple of years I think we're going to continue to see a lot of people enter into wedding photography for many reasons but we're also going to see an increase in the amount of weddings as the echo boomers (baby boomers kids) get married. As there is less opportunities for credit I think we'll see couples spending less and looking for more ways to save by doing things themselves or having friends help out. This doesn't need to be perceived as a negative thing but I do think we need to alter our expectations which have gotten bloated in the past couple of years and focus more on our clients needs and desires and less on what we want to produce. Again, these are just my thoughts. Nobody knows exactly what will happen but what I do know is that in just about every industry there will be lots of opportunities for people to make a big impact very quickly which is exciting.
davidjay
www.davidjay.com
"A true measure of your worth includes all the benefits others have gained from your success."
davidjay
www.davidjay.com
"A true measure of your worth includes all the benefits others have gained from your success."
Atlanta, GA USA
my smugmug
Atlanta Modern Wedding Photographer
SheriJohnsonPhotography.com
Matt
Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes
Emily
Facebook: Friend / Fan || Twitter: @shimamizu || Google Plus
Welcome!
You bet! You can view it by going to my website and clicking on the little blog link on the top right and it'll appear right there for you or you can go directly to it by clicking on www.opensourcephoto.net.
My personal opinion is that most photographers waste them by simply posting their pictures on there. I've found blogs and websites to be most successful when they show more of a balance with personality and portfolio so you'll see A LOT of ME on my blog and on my website.
One of my favorite authors for marketing books is Harry Beckwith and he says in his book. What Clients Love, "People don't pay you for how good you are at what you do - they pay you for how good you are at who you are." Isn't that true!
Happy Monday!
DJ
davidjay
www.davidjay.com
"A true measure of your worth includes all the benefits others have gained from your success."
I agree. I had one couple, specifically the groom, tell me he really had been excited about working with me after reading my enthusiasm about some new equipment I had purchased and how I was pleased with the results it was giving me. My enthusiasm about my equipment grabbed at him and made him feel like I was that much better, despite the actual photos themselves, it was my passion that drew him in.
So yeah personality on the blog / site, I couldn't agree more!
Facebook: Friend / Fan || Twitter: @shimamizu || Google Plus
Welcome...You got one hell of a Website there!! Cheers, tom
davidjay
www.davidjay.com
"A true measure of your worth includes all the benefits others have gained from your success."
The great thing about you coming to the forum is that your adding to what was already an amazing group of photographers!
Thank you!
I Live at http://www.alaskamountainforum.com
NAPP Member | Canon Shooter
Weddings/Portraits and anything else that catches my eye.
www.daveswartz.com
Model Mayhem site http://www.modelmayhem.com/686552
Your stuff is inspiring as always.
Julia
http://sartinphoto.com
Nikon Stuff (not that it really matters)
Seriously, watching the videos the hairs on my neck stood up, absolutely amazing stuff
Me too, the Freedom message really speaks to people I think.
. . . idea well executed!
..:: 5ive Star Studios ::..
40D Gripped | 40D back-up | 580ex II | 580ex II back-up | 24-70mm 2.8L | 70-200mm 2.8L IS | 100mm f/2.8 macro | 50mm f/1.4
davidjay
www.davidjay.com
"A true measure of your worth includes all the benefits others have gained from your success."
My husband and I just spent a good chunk of our evening going through your site, specifically your wedding section. We were both so inspired! Your use of the video camera capturing the day as you see it is an awesome idea. My husband, who acts as my assistant during shoots, asked me if he should be videotaping me. It's a very catchy technique! Heck, if we weren't married yet, I'd be begging for you to be our photographer!
Since I love goodies, I'd love to hear what lenses you use sometime. I'm sure your glass is worth more than my junky car, but a girl can dream, right?
So stoked to have another forum to hang out in.
I knew, of course, that trees and plants had roots, stems, bark, branches and foliage that reached up toward the light. But I was coming to realize that the real magician was light itself.
Edward Steichen
DJ, I'm bummed that I didn't hear about your little Smugmug GTG for wedding photographers, I would have loved to come!
Okay I don't claim to be "big" in the industry of course but I've been around for a while and mostly follow the crowd... (Shooting at the Salton Sea this Tuesday, woohoo!)
(For anyone who is looking to get into wedding photography and wants to learn about the BUSINESS side of things, check out Becker's school website, it is awesome.)
I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing Smugmug dedicate some resources to wedding photographers and professionals in general!
Peace out. Oh BTW, shot a wedding in SB just yesterday, actually. Assisted Eric Farewell. Sunset photo shoot was NUTS...
=Matt=
[edit] Hey, Jason Lackey is here too! Good to see you Jason! Remember this?
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Just spent some time checking out your website, your work is amazing, really looking forward to your insight.
There was a smugmug GTG for wedding photographers and I missed it???????
MILOStudios
www.milophotostudios.com
David, how much time do you typically spend with a bride and groom?