Truth be told, I’ve been having doubts about my wedding photography work over the last 6 months. Don’t get me wrong – I have faith that I am a more-than-competent photographer. I understand lighting, I understand what I should be getting, I have a myriad of tricks up my sleeve to get what I want to be getting, and I enjoy working with clients (there’s about 30 other things I can list but that’s just a start).
However, the “art” of my photographs have honestly not been improving. I have hit a kind of wall in my creativity when it comes to new types of shots, different kind of feel, etc. I am merely a good photographer, and seem to be stuck here. And not for lack of effort. But perhaps lack of talent. I keep an eye out, I rarely sit down and stop during a reception or ceremony so that I can capture those key moments, etc. But other than getting all the necessary shots and doing a solid job, I’m not sure I’ve been doing a great job and I’m kinda-sorta confident I’m not getting a whole lot better.
Recently, I applied to a group known as the Wedding Photo Journalists Association (WPJA) with the hopes that my membership would improve sales. I had not heard from them at all for a long time, and asked about the issue on photo.net. I didn’t provide a link to my website or samples because it’s still kind of rough around the edges and I didn’t think my ego could take it, honestly. But, aside with a confirmation that I didn’t get in if I didn’t hear back, I have gotten more feedback on the quality of my photos than I had really wanted. This was one that really discourage me:
- Too many detail and posed shots, I would say 10-15% of your images are photojournalistic. It needs to be the other way around to qualify.
- Too many f/3.5+ photos (This would be shots with too much in focus, I guess).
- Please don’t take this personally: Your flash photography probably isn’t good enough. There are quite a few direct flash shots, or seem like pop-up flash.
The reasons why I am so discouraged is that 1 – literally 2 of the dozen+ photos on my website are posed. Nothing else is. Some may look like they are, but they aren’t. Isn’t that part of the trick? I guess not. And 2 – I thought I had a good grasp on lighting. Yes, I prefer to use flash than just open my lens wide open and have no depth of field, but I think I go after a very even flash look, not a “deer in the headlights” look. None of my shots are direct flash. And I have never used a pop-up flash.
But if they look that way, then perhaps I’m not getting the job done. I’m not up to par. I’m the kind of photographer that I have told others to avoid. Someone “good enough” but nothing more.
Sometimes feedback is painful, but don’t take the word of one person or organization as gospel. Perhaps it’s time for a break, but if you truly enjoy it and are making money at it, stay with it in the long run! Maybe the WEDDINGS you are photographing are too “standard” in terms of setting, style, etc…
Yikes, those critiques are rough. I agree with Debbie. Don’t let the haters get you down!