This is bridal show season. Everyone and their uncle’s brother’s sister’s relative from Europe is putting one on in some fashion or another. In year’s past, we have participated in many of them. And they can be a lot of fun, but are also a lot of work. In most cases, there is about two hours of setting your booth, and another 5-7 hours of talking with brides, grooms, parents, other vendors. Well… it’s exhausting.
In the past few years, we’ve narrowed it down to just one show a year. The best reason I can give you is that shows cost money, time, and are a lot of work. Since only about 15% of our business is weddings, we just cannot justify the additional expense for the return. This Sunday, we are attending a bridal show in Hagerstown, hosted by The Herald-Mail. If you’re going to be around the Valley Mall from 11-6, please feel free to stop by (psst, free chocolate!!!
We always look forward to meeting new people, talking about the latest and greatest venues and hoping against hope that we aren’t bombarded with an overload of noise from a nearby booth. So far, that hasn’t been an issue.
Have a great evening!
Not a reference to the Spongey fella that lives in a citrus fruit.
When I first started in photography, I was in high school. It was a pretty cool experience to play around with exposure and development settings in the darkroom. Most photographers starting out today have not had to spend hours in a darkroom to get results, and are satisfied with instant gratification. Count me among them, of course. I relish my days of darkroom tedium, as it has prepared me for the patience I would need later in my career. But I also like looking at the back of the camera and thinking “okay, that worked!”
As I branched out in my career, it was important for me to learn from other professionals. There were really three types of educational opportunities; internship, apprentice and assistant. I interned with one photographer, but for only a short time. I apprenticed with two photographers for about two years. And I assisted whenever I could. I can’t remember how many photographers I assisted. But that’s not the point.
The point is that instead of just picking up my camera and starting to take pictures, I worked WITH a seasoned professional. I learned (practically absorbed) everything possible, even if it didn’t seem to have bearing on my future as a pro. Then, I wasn’t sure that professional photography would work out for me, and wanted to be prepared for whatever might happen next. By the time I was in my fifth year, I knew a LOT about flowers, dresses, tuxedos, cakes and music (or at least playing it).
Which leads me to the post’s title. What I have long offered is the ability for any student or young photographer to intern or apprentice with me. No, internships don’t pay money. Apprenticeships pay little. The payback is the experience, exposure and thrill of working for and with someone who has had the long-term experience to pass along. But this is not just an offer to work with me as an intern.
It is also a big time request for you to intern, apprentice AND assist with anyone who could help further your career. Offer to take out the trash, clean toilets and sweep the porch in exchange for some “sit in the corner and watch” time at the next session. Go visit a church (or ten) and watch how a wedding unfolds… and ask questions. Offer to do something for the church in return for putting up with you.
Photography evolved beyond the darkroom.
But it did not evolve beyond the absolute need for photographers to get experience WITH experienced professionals. Don’t be lazy… go help someone, and help yourself in return.
Ever wonder how much your brain can hold? I have a theory (not scientifically based whatsoever) that your brain retains everything you’ve ever learned or seen, heard or done. Yes, all of it. Over time, though, your brain has this keen ability to relegate those things which are “useful as experience” to less than a “remember every detail” role.
With that in mind, I have an opinion about how we decide how things are done in our lives, especially as it relates to those things we do on a regular basis. Driving, for example. We take for granted that the car will start in the same way, that we’ll engage the transmission, pull back or forward to leave the driveway or parking spot and then drive on to our destination. With those repeated instances, we begin to use that experience as things that we will do naturally.
The same kind of thing might occur within our jobs. Someone who may come to me for a portrait session may not realize that a “hidden” part of my job is to size up their family, to analyze their face, or to evaluated their wardrobe as part of how I plan to pose, light or create their images. To me, it is routine… part of what I do… and is the experience which allows me to do my job without much in the way of complication.
Going back to the driving analogy for a moment… suppose you are traveling at 70 mph (although I realize some of you may travel faster). You are buffeted in your path by a car some 100 feet behind you, a tractor-trailer beside you and a car 300 feet ahead of you. Suddenly, the tractor-trailer begins to veer into your lane and intends to occupy it – all without having given you the courtesy of a signal. What do you do next? And if you hesitate, you risk quite a bit.
As the driver of a motor vehicle for over 35 years, I know what I would do.
As the driver of a camera in hundreds of weddings, thousands of portrait sessions, and for hundreds of thousands of people in all… my experience comes into play every day.
Every. Single. Day.
What happens if something goes wrong? My brain instantly uses all that experience and comes up with the best possible solution. And all that without letting you know that anything might be wrong.
Experience counts.
I am going to once again attempt to do some kind of daily (or nearly that) contribution to my blog experience.
A mentor of mine from years ago told me that being a photographer is a lot like being a doctor; both must constantly keep up with the latest information. I have lived by those words well into my adult life and career.
There are a lot of new folks coming into photography for one reason or another. When I see someone new, I like to watch their progress. As they continue to grow and innovate, I feel more and more like the industry just got a boost. And likewise when I see someone who has been at it for a couple of years, and who really has not grown past snapshots and a few fancy Photoshop gadgets, it’s much harder to take them seriously.
For that reason, I have created new photo classes that not only cater to amateurs, but also to those who know a little, but want to learn more. They are all available at the link below, and there are more on the way.
Tell your photographer friends about this… they will get a lot out of it, and you’ll get better pictures!
TLC’s Seminars & Photo Workshops
Oh to be young and crazy again… or at least attend more weddings of young and crazy people. I love getting to connect with brides & grooms because it makes our time together at the wedding that much more productive. And I really connected with these two. They were the perfect couple, and we had a great time with them.
A good friend of ours since her high school days, mom brought her first child to us for some newborn shots. She’s a few months older here, but quite the adorable one.
Not the kind of bean you’d find in your favorite soup… this little mister is the kind that steals hearts. Take a look. 🙂
Apparently they were engaged at Bavarian Inn some time ago, and came back to the Inn from their home in Pennsylvania just to have portraits taken. These are just a few.
Ever meet someone and instantly know that they are someone who will always be a friend? I felt that way with Paul. He was a fantastic subject and has also since been a great person to know.
For more about senior portraits, visit our Seniors Page.
It’s been a year, but not a long one. Congratulations to Stephanie and B.J. on their first wedding anniversary.
