The problem with wedding photography has nothing to do with photography. It has nothing to do with exposure and f-stops and whether this looks like film or that works as a print. It has nothing to do with light and composition or even emotion or feeling on their own. The problem with wedding photography, in fact, is distinctly non-photographic.
The problem is Iceland.
This is an industry where there isn’t a week that goes by where the stakes aren’t ratcheted up a notch. Where the landscapes don’t loom a little more dramatic, where the couples don’t get a little smaller, and the compositions grow more impressive. A high stakes game being battled across the globe in locations near and far and so commonly settling in Iceland, as the hills sing with the sound of shutters clicking and couples trekking.
Each year, the light gets prettier, the cliffs become steeper, and the pictures are stunning – more than enough to satiate the wanderlust in every flip-phone toting, card-carrying, hipster heart. Raggedy-yet-graceful couples walking up hills, down hills, staring at oceans, and standing in forests.
But for all that, no matter how stunning and how impressive, the question isn’t about how well you take the picture. The prettiness may make it all go down a hell of a lot easier, but it will never be a replacement for what really matters: having something to say.
While it may be the age of unending fetish, no VSCO filter, no stock of Kodachrome, no place, no space – none of it means anything if there isn’t a point of view stirring inside the person who clicks the button.
Yes, pictures have improved. But as the haze lifts and the talent grows, what becomes clear is that the plague of the wedding industry isn’t its sheer crappiness. We’re finally starting to steer clear of that. It’s the pervasive sameness that has defined this industry from the start. Where craft is concerned, crappiness and sameness are worlds apart. But insofar as the art, heart, and soul of the medium goes, they remain one and the same.
This is a time of a thousand variations of couples center-framed, space-enclosed, holding hands, and looking somewhere, anywhere, and everywhere. And I’ll fess up now. I, too, am guilty.
What’s wrong with sameness? It sells. It’s sexy. It’s hot. Why not?
Because people are more. Couples are more. Because we are more. If you buy the party line – and this is a line I’ll buy hook, line, and sinker – that we all have something to say – that we all have something to offer – then sameness is most certainly a problem.
We are defined by how we are different. No one says you’re you because the things you do or the beliefs you have are just like everyone else. You are you, because of all the ways you’re different. That’s how it goes. We are our exceptions, not our conformity.
And we all have something stirring inside of us. Everyone has a way of doing things. But many never put it to use nor pay it heed, instead, chasing the chase, looking for better in all the wrong places.
You see it in the battles of the moment and the talk of the times. There’s the white hot fight to see who can produce the truest film emulation. The crusade for printing prints. The unending litany of discussions about the cameras we use. Do we stick to a DSLR or go mirrorless? Do we shoot digital at all? And what format, if we go film? Check out the Leica M Edition 60 if you want to see the ultimate conceit of the now. All digital, no LCD viewfinder. Get the hardness of digital and the limitations of film for $19K. Nice.
This all misses the point.
The question isn’t how good a film emulation is. It’s why you use it. I’ve seen many a conversation comparing film stock presets. I’ve seen all of none telling us why it matters. If you don’t have an answer why getting 98% of the way to Portra 400 is better than 96%, then who really cares about the rest? Which isn’t to say that it doesn’t matter, but that the question of why needs to come first, or else it’s the chase for the sake of the chase.
Authenticity is only valuable when you understand it well enough to let go of it. The moment we cling to the authentic for itself is the moment it loses its original purpose.
It’s not digital or film. Print or screen. It’s what you have to say with them. How you use them. And if the answer is only going to go as far as the mysterious beauty of the grain structure or how a different technology makes you slow down and think, that’s not even close to far enough.
Beauty for what? To say what about the world? About your subject? Slowing down and thinking, though great, did all of nothing to make every film photographer anything close to brilliant before digital hit the scene. Most people were just slow and bad.
Thinking about light, composition, and timing is one thing. Thinking about what life, love, and living is for is another. And that is the problem with Iceland.
Not that so many have gone to the ends of the earth and back to find the ultimate shot. That, in and of itself is fine. But that so many people wander through the mist and climb the hills – whether it be in Iceland, California, or across the street – only to bring back something so similar to so much without asking what their own private Iceland was. That we chase the look and not the meaning.
Great photographers find novel ways to show similar subjects. Sameness disparages the complexity and beauty of who we are.
Live life first.
Not through the camera. Not for the camera. But with the camera. Sit on a sidewalk and watch the people pass. See how you feel about them. Not what looks like some shot you’ve seen before from a hero of the past. But what YOU feel. Put that in your pictures.
Read a book and think about what people are. What is marriage for to you? What is love for to you? How does your choice of framing, composition, filtering, and camera make this opinion – this belief in your heart – indisputably clear? Step out of your role as the photographer and forget about what you’re supposed to shoot. Find what you need to shoot.
Be conscious of your possibility.
The world doesn’t need you to solve what’s already been solved. It’s waiting for you to solve what hasn’t. It’s waiting to hear what you have to say. Don’t check yourself in at the door. Don’t run from who you’ve fought to become. Wear it. Show it. And make that lead the way.
Spencer, so well written. You’re so right, It really doesn’t matter what or how you shoot but with how much heart and soul you shoot with. Thanks man for these posts!!
Thanks Mark! So very much appreciate that.
Was womdering I’m 24 yrs old wanted to use life renewal for putting sum lean muscle on and help improve my sexual function and drive is this product ok for a 24 year old to take? I no its not an ideal age to use it but can I get an advantage on using it? Help me out here lol
Thanks for the ideas you talk about through this blog. In addition, quite a few young women who become pregnant usually do not even try to get medical insurance because they have anxiety they would not qualify. Although some states right now require that insurers supply coverage irrespective of the pre-existing conditions. Premiums on these kinds of guaranteed plans are usually greater, but when considering the high cost of health care it may be your safer approach to take to protect your own financial future.
I doubt that they could be controlling it "as if they were there and sitting in its cockpit." as the distance to Mars varies between 54 and 401 million kms, so any instruction signals to control it would take between 3 and 22 minutes to reach the rover, and any returned info the same amount of time. Sorry.
bleaching treatments or whitenings trays again with this free method!!! By Leah Garcia So you want to know simple steps to whiten your teeth naturally? I understand COMPLET…got up one day and looked in the mirror and BAM – we had yellow teeth. Having whiter teeth does some
I relaly enjoyed being a dancer. I had the time of my life doing the scrabble board in 1983 to Marvin Gaye sexual healing and getting to Trish Steed Lenny MaysThank you
Whole lotta YES. Thanks!
Thanks, Kris!
Yes–so encouraging to read and challenging as well. Thank you. Always fond of your blog posts.
Thanks, Sarah!
This is a great post, and amazing words .Thinking about light, composition, and timing is one thing. Thinking about what life, love, and living is for is another. And that is the problem with Iceland. Live life first. Thank you..it reads like the wisdom of The Buddha.
Being compared to Buddha may be about the kindest, most flattering thing I’ve ever heard. Thank you, Bharat. Tickled to hear that.
Well said!
Thank you James!
As always Spencer, a brilliant thought provoking post which hits the nail on the proverbial head!
Many thanks!
This is everything I’ve ever wanted to say. The problem I’ve found is that sameness sells. Sameness gets you featured (no matter how much blogs tell you they’re looking for something different) and sameness gets you bookings. I’ve found that doing things in a way that’s meaningful to me has resulted in less bookings and less business. If I share a photo on social media that has any kind of depth and requires some engagement and thought by the viewer, it generally gets ignored, you share some big landscape from Iceland with tiny people and people go crazy. The wedding photography industry rewards sameness and at the end of the day it is a business that some of us (another issue altogether) have to pay our bills with. It’s so very frustrating.
No denying that you’ve hit the nail on the head – that is exactly the tension, Kat – I hear you, and damn, do I know it well. Sameness does sell. All industries reward sameness, no question. If they didn’t, there wouldn’t be trends. But I the big payouts go to the people who start the trends – the people who were being different – and while it may be less secure in the short term, I also think it’s the best process in the long term, because it creates growth, development, and a level of personal attachment that so hard to find if you feel yourself stuck in a rut, which, at least for me personally, is where I find myself when I start to notice that I’m doing too much replication and not enough introspection.
So much yes to you & Kat’s comments, Spencer. Sameness is what sells, but standing out is what starts the trends. This is something I’ve been thinking a lot about the last few months. As I’ve read repeatedly recently: if you aren’t unique, you are replaceable.
Thanks for this article, Spencer. I sometimes feel like I am not a good photographer because I have not photographed an elopement in Iceland, or I don’t have Fearless awards. I feel like I am not worth it because my images are not trendy, or successful for other photographers. But my images do mean something for my clients and for me, and I know I have to remember that. But with social media, we now see what everybody else does, and sometimes we compare ourselves to others. But we should not, I know that. It’s just hard. But you talk about authenticity, and I like that. I think I am authentic, and my clients come to me because of my that. Thanks for reminding us that we don’t have to be all the same to be good photographers.
Thanks, Emilie! Keep at it!
Amen! This is one of the best articles I have read. It is time we as photographers get lost in the moment, and really captures what speaks to our hearts.
Yes!
LOVE this! Spot ON!
The truth is our cameras are well up to the challenge, and have been for several years now. A “better” camera no longer gets you a better photo. Now the limits are in the 12 inches behind the camera.
I suspect that if you have a clear vision, and show it to the world, there are folks that agree and will seek you out. Hopefully enough for you to shoot from 25-50 times per year and make a living.
Absolutely. Cameras have been plenty good enough for sure! I’m most certainly in agreement.
This is my new favorite series! I couldn’t put it down. I think it would make a fantastic Tv series. Just like Vampire Diaries. Can’t wait until the next book!!!
There’s nothing like the relief of finding what you’re looking for.
By :Just ran across this over on TF:TARP funds actually spent so far: 2% of GNPBanker bonuses for 2009: 1% of GNPWhat’s wrong with this picture? Didn’t the banks make their money in large part based on the free money they got through TARP?Actually, that shows the absurdity of Obama’s recent attack on bankers. He’s attacking something that would have 50% of the stimulus effect of TARP. And by being this way and forcing the banks to pay back TARP funds early, he’s probably eliminated the other 50% too. – Rate this comment: 0 0
Well said!
There is so much well composed photography with no heart! An amazing amount of aloofness at the moment. It’s hard to put your finger on it… but, Yes…. Iceland.
Thanks, Simon! Yes. Iceland.
LOVE this post – very applicable to other career situations, too. I’m a freelance journalist. My passion and skill lies with magazine features, profiles, storytelling… not brochures, letters, references, reports, ads, invites and whatever else needs to be written. Saying no is a massive relief every time, so I need to say it more! Thank you for the clarity, Carla. X
This was refreshing to read..Thank you for this gift.
beautiful read- we are much happier when we find our own voice. As Todd Henry says, “Cover bands don’t change the world, you must find your own unique voice.”
Exactly!
This really touched something in my soul today, so thank you for that.
Keep doin’ what you’re doin’, Spencer. The world needs it.
Many thanks, Susan! Hearing that helps me stay motivated. 🙂
Great read! So true…
great artical, I try to hard sometimes. One thing that I was tought by a tutor a while ago was “shoot from the heart”
Indeed!
Great post! Cuts right down to what’s truly missing across much of the wedding photography that’s out there. I’m going to bookmark it, and make sure I read it whenever I’m in one of those “I’m no good at this” moods. Try and kickstart some motivation.
So much yes. This post definitely inspires me as a photographer. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Happy to hear it, Jenn!
Thank you for the article Spencer. We spend too much time at the front of the computer and looking at work of others instead of going out and shoot just for the joy of it. Thank you for the reminder that it is about authenticity and that we are who we are and should use this to our advantage – shoot from the heart.
I know I certainly need to be pried away from the computer sometimes – absolutely.
What an interesting read! You really do have some great points regarding wedding photography!
I always love reading your posts and this one was really good! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I totally agree. 🙂 Just curious though… do you use presets yourself or do you stay away from them?
Thanks, Grace! Very much appreciate that. The answer is, while I have nothing against using presets, as long as it’s done smartly and purposefully, at this point, most of the presets I have are customized or created from scratch. While I love the look of film like so many others do, I also find that it’s not a replica of the film look I’m after. Also, even when created from scratch, I find that the presets I use are generally insufficient on their own and they need a good bit of tweaking to really work.
late to the party i know, but wanted to say what a thoughtful post this is. i admit when my husband told me about it, i think i subconsciously didn’t read it because part of me was like ‘hey but i love iceland’ haha but i obviously get it & really agree. sameness does sell & it also gets us that pat on the back & affirmation from our peers that we all so crave, but it truly is a disservice to all our unique voices to not dig deeper. not to mention to the people we ‘re photographing, who’s stories are much more than merely being a piece of the landscape. thanks so much for putting these thoughts out there..
Thanks so much, Jenn – glad that you shared that, and it was good to hear from you!
I don’t know how I’m just now discovering your blog! You are an AMAZING writer! This is perfection.
Big thanks, Erin! So appreciate hearing that.
Er is over dit onderwerp vanuit verschillende gezichtspunten al het nodige onderzocht en geschreven door bijvoorbeeld De Jong, Van Heekeren, Bezemer, Gottlob Weiler, Der Spiegel, Gerrit Grobben en anderen. Ik ben benieuwd wat de nieuwe c.q. aanvullende insteek van uw researchwerk precies inhoud?
Chà o Tuấn. Sinh viên tại cÆ¡ sở Dak Lak sẽ được hưởng chÆ°Æ¡ng trình Æ°u đãi giảm 50% há»c phà cho 2 há»c kỳ đầu tiên em nhé. ChÆ°Æ¡ng trình nà y áp dụng cho những sinh viên hoà n thiện hồ sÆ¡ và há»c phà trÆ°á»›c 15/08/2012.
Sooooo true
I am not a wedding photographer , but a photographer / painter. I drew much from your enlightened comments. So many painted Masterpieces in the Art World were of the same object – again and again, seeing it in a different light through ‘different eyes”. Or depicting something so mundane, but its depiction raises it to something of great interest and intrigue. You summed it up. Thanks.
“Authenticity is only valuable when you understand it well enough to let go of it. The moment we cling to the authentic for itself is the moment it loses its original purpose.”
I love this. Such a zen statement. Trust your feelings and let go of the reminder of what others have done and are doing. Of what is expected.
Thank you! Yes, very well put.
So much of what you said here had been on my mind lately. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Aga.
TO: Rob FeddersRE: In ALL……..of your rambling on and on about how much you know about REAL christians and REAL christianity………I didn't see you answer my simple question….Has the Christ come in the flesh?Did I miss it….there was so much to read from you.Of did you not answer the question?Regards,Chuck(le)P.S. In all of your anger, I suspect you'd have serious problems recognizing a real christian if he did you a good turn…..You'd probably bite him/her…..
What about iceland?
If your articles are always this helpful, “I’ll be back.”
Second of all I am a licensed pc tech and a isf calibrator and if any one doubts it i can produce proof I have a+ n+ mcse mcp novell and oracle certifications so I am offended that people assume that you are a piece of shit because you are on this site. I never troll and speak the truth. So to all of you here that are not trolls flamers or dickheads feel free to ask me anything you want and I will held or advise in anyway i can at least you will get accurate info.VN:F [1.9.17_1161](from 9 votes)
Yeah that’s what I’m talking about baby–nice work!
I agree in some points but others are gibberish. Overall it sounds like you need to come to Iceland- you might think differently! Reach out to us if so!
This speaks to mu current situation. I am a professional photographer with a photo agency in the US and have been looking for a wedding photographer in Reykjavik. Most of the images that I see look about the same, as though there is an Iceland Lightroom Preset. While I agree, as a photographer, that each of us must find our own way to shoot, reflecting our own experiences; I think that the client should also inform the shoot. My experience, so far, has been talking with photographers who demand no variation from their formula. They are absolutely rigid about taking any input from a wedding client and resist any input at all. They demand that we put ourselves fully in their hands as artists. Maybe I would buy that if they were, in fact doing what you suggest and make something their own, but not as long as they are only able to produce “me-too” results.
A post are very helpful, thank you very much.
Oh my god, the picture made me think of a faulty camera @@. But the article is very interesting, thank you very much.
I have noticed you don’t monetize your site, don’t waste your traffic,
you can earn additional bucks every month because you’ve got high quality content.
If you want to know how to make extra bucks, search for: best adsense
alternative Wrastain’s tools
February 12, 2017 at 12:23 pm
Second of all I am a licensed pc tech and a isf calibrator and if any one doubts it i can produce proof I have a+ n+ mcse mcp novell and oracle certifications so I am offended that people assume that you are a piece of shit because you are on this site.
This is everything I’ve ever wanted to say. The problem I’ve found is that sameness sells. Sameness gets you featured (no matter how much blogs tell you they’re looking for something different) and sameness gets you bookings. I’ve found that doing things in a way that’s meaningful to me has resulted in less bookings and less business.
As always Spencer, a brilliant thought provoking post which hits the nail on the proverbial head!
Nice blog with good information.The writer here has done a great job.
Keep it up the good work. Your article is really looked nice and great because in this way we can learn a lot of things in our life.
photography. It has nothing to do with exposure. The problem I’ve found is that sameness sells. Sameness gets you featured (no matter how much blogs tell you they’re looking for something different) and sameness gets you bookings. I’ve found that doing things in a way that’s meaningful to me has resulted in less bookings and less business.
I think that The problem I’ve found is that sameness sells. Sameness gets you featured (no matter how much blogs tell you they’re looking for something different) and sameness gets you bookings
I am a licensed pc tech and a isf calibrator and if any one doubts it i can produce proof I have a+ n+ mcse mcp novell and oracle certifications
I agree in some points but others are gibberish. Overall it sounds like you need to come to Iceland- you might think differently! Reach out to us if so!
If your articles are always this helpful, “I’ll be back.”
It makes viewers feel curious. Very nice
làm phụ nữ khổ lắm, trước 30 tuổi mà không chăm sóc da, sau này da sẽ bị lão hóa dần dần
24 tuổi là độ tuổi thích hợp để cưới chồng,sau 24 tuổi sẽ bị người ta nói là già hi
đá tự nhiên, đá nhân tạo, đá bếp
đá solid surface
Its pretty nuts that to stand out with your wedding photography portfolio that you’ve got to jump through hoops and do something insanely creative – sometimes to the point where you’re not even sure its a shot from a wedding anymore 😛 I’m much more keen of capturing the emotions of the day and my couples really appreciate it 🙂 No need to win awards – more capture the emotion.
24 tuổi là độ tuổi thích hợp để cưới chồng,sau 24 tuổi sẽ bị người ta nói là già hi
Nice post!