Decision time

rabbitjake

Ok, so I've shot a few weddings this spring/summer to kinda test the waters and see if it's something I want to continue with. I enjoy it, just not 100% into it. I've been thinking thats probably not fair to the couples. I'll post a few for critique, but also looking for general advice regardless of photo quality. :dunno

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Art Scott

The 1st 6 are not showing up on my screendunno Also for us to easily critique you really need to number each photo so we do not have to do a quote with the actual photos showing....that can make for a really looooooooooong thread very quickly....
My Critiquing is done for now:D

FedererPhoto

ditto - first six aren't showing up.

From what I see, I like the overall feel and things seem happy... but I'm not getting a 'story' yet (perhaps due to missing images)

rabbitjake

fixed links, added numbers. oops.

as far as a story, I just kinda picked out random shots from 2 weddings that i have processed, working on a third. I could post a series from just one I suppose.

FedererPhoto

rabbitjake wrote:

fixed links, added numbers. oops.

Not fixed for me.

rabbitjake

FedererPhoto wrote:

Not fixed for me.

how about now???? I'm dyin over here haha.

mmmatt

I can see them all just fine. I think smugmug was having some issues earlier so it may not have been you.

As for the images, I think they are OK. I think some of these images show some really great emotion. Seems you have a pretty good eye for that and in my book that is key for a wedding shooter. comps are pretty good but probably not "wow" for the most part though I do really like #2 and 13 is pretty good as well. Flash work is not the best... way to hot on a few images. 8 and 10 are probably the worst in that regard. Overall better than some of what I see and worse than some.

As for whether or not you should shoot weddings, I would say probably not. I think you are capable and with more work and pracice you could probably be a good shooter. But, this isn't easy work if you aren't thrilled about it and excited to do it. If you try to focus on it without passion for it you will probably not improve and you will not get the bookings you want because your potential clients respond to your enthusiasm. I'm convinced that is how I get my bookings... they can see I am simply jacked up to shoot their wedding.

Certainly, you have to make the decision on where you want to go with this. Do you shoot otherwise? Do you want photography to be your career and just debating onweddings or not? What is the rest of the story?

Good Luck!
Matt

rabbitjake

thanks mmmat. to say i'm on the fence about photography as a career would be an understatement. Other than a few weddings the only thing I do for money photo wise is shoot feature cars for a magazine. That's fun, but is just bonus cash at this point, nothing to rely on, or make any sort of a living from. Right now I make decent enough money as an auto tech, but I don't want to do that forever. Photography is my other interest, but I don't want to ruin the hobby aspect of it. Working on cars for a living definitly killed my enthusiasm for them as a hobby. I guess I'll continue shooting for fun and deciding on weddings on a case by case basis.

MelMcClain

mmmatt wrote:

I can see them all just fine. I think smugmug was having some issues earlier so it may not have been you.

As for the images, I think they are OK. I think some of these images show some really great emotion. Seems you have a pretty good eye for that and in my book that is key for a wedding shooter. comps are pretty good but probably not "wow" for the most part though I do really like #2 and 13 is pretty good as well. Flash work is not the best... way to hot on a few images. 8 and 10 are probably the worst in that regard. Overall better than some of what I see and worse than some.

As for whether or not you should shoot weddings, I would say probably not. I think you are capable and with more work and pracice you could probably be a good shooter. But, this isn't easy work if you aren't thrilled about it and excited to do it. If you try to focus on it without passion for it you will probably not improve and you will not get the bookings you want because your potential clients respond to your enthusiasm. I'm convinced that is how I get my bookings... they can see I am simply jacked up to shoot their wedding.

Certainly, you have to make the decision on where you want to go with this. Do you shoot otherwise? Do you want photography to be your career and just debating onweddings or not? What is the rest of the story?

Good Luck!
Matt

Agreeing with Matt...I believe it's completely up to you on how you feel about making this a career. The pictures are nice but you can tell that you're heart isn't all that into it with the images... some lighting faux pas but decent work. Don't force yourself into something you're lukewarm about.. there are a lot of other photography aspects other than weddings. Also be sure to change out styles once and a while.. shooting weddings will burn out a photojournalist... keep yourself fresh by practicing on Macro or Landscapes...etc.

FedererPhoto

You work is capable... but the deeper issue is what the others mentioned: If you don't love it, weddings isn't the gig for you.