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By Ryan Graham


It has taken months of planning and preparation. There is electricity in the air. Or, it could be the unsettled anxiety brought on by the rain clouds still hanging ominously overhead. This is meant to be an outdoor event. The wedding planner s conferring with the groom. They are debating arranging shelter in the form of gazebos. The groom s hesitant, as that might interfere with the seating arrangements. The bride would not be too impressed. You empathize with them. But your real concern is how none of your equipment is waterproof! It is your first big gig. And you are already having doubts about running a professional portrait photographer Nanaimo.

At the outset, it comes across as quite a glamorous profession. You get invited to events celebrating very special occasions in people s lives. Everyone s dressed in their Sunday best, and you are included as the witness to the most memorable moments. And at the end, you get paid for it! Say whaaat? It is no surprise everyone with a digital camera and a pc are queueing up around the block trying to get in on the action. To some, becoming a wedding photographer would be winning the lotto. Little do they know, the odds of succeeding in the profession are just as unlikely.

When it comes to capturing momentous occasions meant as keepsakes for future generations, photos, especially in imperishable digital format, tend to stand the test of time. So being tasked with capturing said images carries with it a certain burden of responsibility. More so if one is actually being paid to do it. It is understandable then why most couples are very particular when it comes to selecting a photographer for something as life changing as their wedding. Should you offer your services and they do not let you down gently, try and remember that it is not about you. It is always going to be all about them.

With business booming, and the competition heating up, it is invaluable that one s skills be distinguishable from the rest of the pack s. To that end, downtime should be spent in developing one s craft, learning the latest cutting edge techniques, applying them religiously until they become second nature and can be relied upon at a whim s notice. The goal is not only to please, but to impress.

In Japan it is said, The nail that sticks out gets hammered. But as a photographer, an artist, the success of one s trade is largely dependent on public exposure. Getting hammered simply comes with the territory. Hopefully, it does not come to that though. By meticulously catering to the needs of clients and, thereby, building relationships based on trust, they are usually glad to recommend you should anyone they know need a cameraperson in future.

Once the business starts rolling in though, the urge to take on every couple due to trade nuptials must be strongly resisted. Every client expects that personal touch, and all the legwork involved is no small feat. Being fully booked, while an appealing proposition at the beginning of your career, does not allow for any flexibility should unforeseen circumstances arise. And as any wedding planner can attest, things do not always go as planned.

So, when a shoot scheduled for 5 hours becomes 10 hours because your clients insisted on your services at the after party, or an unplanned night shoot, scheduling conflicts are bound to happen. Especially since the most time consuming aspect of the work does not even happen at the photoshoot. Bear in mind, all their pictures will still need to be edited, processed, packaged, and, as per their request, transferred to a personalized photo album or flash drive. All this accomplished on your own time, of course.

One of the main perks of being self employed is it affords you the ability to set your own schedule. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. As much as you love your career, there is so much more to life than earning a paycheck. You owe it to yourself, and your loved ones, to dedicate at least a few days of your week to something other than turning a profit. After all, you are an aspiring artist and art cannot be rushed, so enjoy the process!




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