I saw a Reddit thread asking what profession was once highly respected and is now a complete joke. Somebody said wedding photographers. They said wedding photographers went from preserving authentic joyful moments to manufacturing those moments as content for likes and clicks and bride influencers.
I have something to say about that. And I am not going to be polite about it.
I shot dozens of weddings. I got out before the bridezilla era, but I know the job. If a photographer gives the client what they want, who the hell are you to say they are chasing clicks? The brides want the Instagram look. The Kardashian style. And if you do not give it to them, they will kill your business with online reviews. That is the reality.
Wedding photographers are storytellers. Photojournalists of the day. The marketing content showcases what the bride asked for. Old wedding photography was crap, let us be honest. The Instagram style looks amazing, and photographers do it because the bride wants it. Brides want curated weddings, so photographers curate.
A wedding photographer runs the day. Organizing, moving people, setting scenes, setting lights. It is a full day job and you are not making enough money at it. You are part documentarian, part therapist, part cat herder, and a full time artist.
Social media has not ruined wedding photography. It has elevated it.
To the keyboard warriors on Reddit: grab a camera and do better. You have never been behind the scenes. Shut up until you can do it yourself.
I have mad respect for wedding photographers. I cannot do what you do anymore. I hope you make a hell of a ton of money.
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