What makes these famous wedding photogs so sought after??

seastack

What makes these famous wedding photographers so sought after?

Joe Buissink

John Michael Cooper aka altF


Do you like these styles? I see aspects of their respective styles copied quite a bit, especially Cooper.

Agnieszka

I would say their wonderful, unique style

seastack

Yes ... which comes from taking many risks and breaking "rules." )

I think some folks would have discounted these photos as "imperfect" not too long ago.

Wil Davis

seastack wrote:

What makes these famous wedding photographers so sought after?

Joe Buissink

John Michael Cooper aka altF


Do you like these styles? I see aspects of their respective styles copied quite a bit, especially Cooper.

I think some of their ideas are good, the pics are excellent, although I'm not one for screwing around with the colours, but one thing which really pisses me off is not with the pictures, but the way the web presentation starts with some artsy-fartsy musac which comes straight in over the programme to which I'm currently listening; frightened the cats, and frightened me!
Bugger the pictures! damned web-site…

- Wil

zoomer

Customer base and publicity, advertising.

I see a lot of wedding photographers in that quality class who never reach the level of fame of some of these guys.

mmmatt

I saw John Michael Cooper do a seminar last January and he is "all that" for sure. He demo'd some cool techniques for shooting in near darkness. A couple using video lights, light painting, using off camera flash and multiple exposures, using a bed sheet or table cloth as a softbox... all sorts of cool stuff. Really nice guy too. I think he is most famous for being an innovator in the trash the dress movement. Here is the link to what he shot durring the seminar if anyone is interested. http://www.earth13.com/weddings/speaking-at-the-dwf-convention

Matt

momwac

Good question. I don't really get it. There's some interesting artsy technique in those portfolios, but imagine looking back 30 years from now with the kids and trying to explain that yes, you love Dad very much and always did, but, well, it was cool to look bored and annoyed at your wedding back then.

Must be a cultural thing, brides wanting to look like celebrities or something. Obviously I'm not their target demographic. I just hope that's not still en vogue when my son meets Miss Right.

ian408

seastack wrote:

Yes ... which comes from taking many risks and breaking "rules." )

I think some folks would have discounted these photos as "imperfect" not too long ago.

I didn't wait for Joe's site to come up--way too much effort.

But altF's? I do like the very unique style. And I think it's great that people are looking for something more than the "standard" wedding photograph

Ed911

I don't know about the photographers you pointed out here...but for sure there are many many photographers equal to or better than them...but it's advertising, presentation, and personality and doing a little something different that sets them apart.

One of our friends got married a couple of years ago...and looked at many different wedding photographer's web sites...she eventually picked a photographer whose work looked different from all the rest...as being the one that could provide something more exciting, and because he was different...stood out a little...he was rewarded with a multi-thousand dollar contract.

So, like it's been said here before...and I hear all the time..find your niche...and work it. If not, you are just another fish in the sea...waiting for the random hook of life.

elizabeth_Luna

Ed911 wrote:

I don't know about the photographers you pointed out here...but for sure there are many many photographers equal to or better than them...but it's advertising, presentation, and personality and doing a little something different that sets them apart.

One of our friends got married a couple of years ago...and looked at many different wedding photographer's web sites...she eventually picked a photographer whose work looked different from all the rest...as being the one that could provide something more exciting, and because he was different...stood out a little...he was rewarded with a multi-thousand dollar contract.

So, like it's been said here before...and I hear all the time..find your niche...and work it. If not, you are just another fish in the sea...waiting for the random hook of life.

Well put Ed - that was actually encouraging to me thank you.

austinstrobist

elizabeth_Luna wrote:

Well put Ed - that was actually encouraging to me thank you.

+1

ightenhill

Much as I "get" and really admire John Coopers style, I dont quite get it as wedding photography in the sense of that's how I would want a representation of the happiest day of my life. Give me Bobbi and Mike anyday and show me some some of the joy..

ian408

ightenhill wrote:

Much as I "get" and really admire John Coopers style, I dont quite get it as wedding photography in the sense of that's how I would want a representation of the happiest day of my life. Give me Bobbi and Mike anyday and show me some some of the joy..

Not every couple will want this style but enough couples want something stylistic and different hence the trend. And finding a photographer that can help differentiate your wedding from every other really is a nice thing.

saurora

I think people yearn for 'unique' standout photography in their wedding shots. And as momwac mentioned, there is also a need to look like a celebrity. So many of the sites I have viewed look like pages out of a magazine. Will the photos stand the test of time? Some yes, some no. Some will looked dated and some will have their future offspring in giggles. However, that being said, part of being successful is creating a niche to stand out from the competition. If it works and one is financially successful with the results, it's difficult to criticize their success without sounding envious. Personally, I admire great PJ style wedding photography, technically sound, with little to no special editing.....or at least appearing to have no editing! When I look at a set of wedding photos I want to feel as if I have just read a great story that I didn't want to end....a book I want to read again. Neither one of these photographers did much for me, but I am sure this is a small representation of their work.

ian408

saurora wrote:

When I look at a set of wedding photos I want to feel as if I have just read a great story that I didn't want to end....a book I want to read again.

Herein lies the key. Nicely stated

smurfy

If I could afford them and was getting married, I might hire Joe, but not John. Too "dark" in the mood for my personal taste. Guess it comes down to individual taste and the right bride being exposed to images that speak to her; what she wants her wedding memories to look and feel like in the decades to come.

dngrCharlie

Don't forget that the photos that those guys put on their website represent what they want people to perceive as their "best". It's possible that, if you got a wedding shot by them, that you would get a mixture of "cliche" photos and "signature" photos. No one says you have to only go one way or the other!

MA-FOTO

Interesting topic....

While i strive to be technically sound - it is also fun to be creative in the moment and still tell a story of the day/event.
I am not at the level of these shooters, but working on it bit by bit or shot by shot....

There are brides that want there wedding to look like it was a fashion day and they are the #1 model.

I also think it is harder to create visually appealing wedding shoots in the lower budget weddings.
Some of the places these brides are getting married are dripping w/ photo-op all over the place.

In the end you have to find your style and promote it - brand it.

Later,
_Mark