The writer is a full-time freelance photographer, who pursues his income around the World - be it corporate assignments, running his studio in Helsinki, Finland or travelling to his favorite destination - Mexico.
Wedding documentaries
Wedding photography divides us photographers into two camps: Those of us who enjoy wedding assignments, and those who do not pass on an opportunity to earn some income. Neither group is better than the other, but they both look differently on their work as wedding photographers.
I love wedding documentary assignments. I know some photographers frown upon this testimonial, and think I'm not honest when I say so. How could it be true, when compared to the average commercial photography assignment, weddings involve proportionally more work, serving less experienced clients, that are often under stress, and pay the photographer less than corporate assignments - how can it be more rewarding?
For two reasons,
Number one: In the World of corporate photography, receiving a payment (without involving lawyers or accountants) is the equivalent to an email stating "here is your compensation for fulfilling your contract duties". Payment doesn't translate as "thank you". Those two words are almost extinct in today's world of commercial photography, where fees are shrinking and copyright is more often breached. Some may think that paying thousands of dollars to a wedding photographer is "thank you" enough. In reality, the honest and happy "thank you" is worth to us photographers so much more than the photo fee - simply because a satisfied client happily will show the photos to a friend (who is getting married). You are the best (and often only) marketing we can afford!
Number two: Most people who deliver services to wedding couples; catering, wedding planning, dress and costumes, entertainment, facilities, ideas, gifts... All these professionals receive their "thank you" during the wedding day. The wedding planner is a small exception, they aren't thanked until a few days after the wedding.
What distinguishes us photographers from the other people who made the most important day in your life memorable, is our ability to deliver memories that never fade. We are in the business of selling you memories. Emotional images, that trigger in you fond memories of that day.
With all due respect to everyone else who helped to make your wedding so memorable - 10 years from now it wouldn't be a memorable day if it weren't for the photographs. Five, ten, even fifty or more years from now; every one of you and your family (even those not born at the time) can re-live that special day. Even when you grow old, your grand-children will remember how you looked on that day.
That is why I love this job. How could I not, when the portfolio photos on my studio wall every day greet me with smiling clients, portrayed on the most important day of their life.
Helsinki, January 2011
Vilhelm Sjostrom
Freelance photographer
For bookings, please contact [paulina@grupochalita.com]
(website text in Finnish, photos in International)
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