Wedding Experience

I had a slightly bizarre experience recently when I met a wedding planner who had been trading for a year but who hadn't actually planned a wedding yet. The curious bit was that from this starting point she mentioned that she was mentoring 20 other would-be wedding & event planners. I was tactfully trying to phrase the question of how that might work (experience at some level seemingly a pre-requisite in mentoring others) but the conversation moved on which was probably just as well - the question might have come out wrong and caused offence, which wasn't the intention at all - we all have to start somewhere after all. But it did pose the question of how much experience is necessary before a product can be offered to the general public.

I've no idea how many weddings I've captured; I started in 2000 and since then there have been quiet years and busy years, so I'm guessing it must be 200-250 kind of number, which seems quite a lot (but maybe accounts for the nervous tic, the hairline receding further & faster than the tide at Weston-super-Mare and the growing attraction to prescription drugs!!) But when I think back to the start of my career, I can't remember at what point I felt comfortable claiming to be "experienced". Does it come after 5,10, 20 weddings or is it less about actual numbers and more about the seasons? After all, shooting in the summer is very different to a winter wedding - the latter often requiring a different skill set and, ideally, better kit because the low light is such a challenge. Most pro photographers will admit that they never stop learning - every wedding is different, as is the venue, the weather, the social dynamics of the guests, etc, etc. I have to adapt to each new set of circumstances and deliver great pictures - so maybe after the next 250 I will be REALLY able to claim to be experienced... What do you think - let me know your definition of an experienced wedding photographer... If you were booking someone now what would you look for to reassure you that you had the best person for the job?

Hotmail Accounts

Just a quick blog to say that there seem to be some issues emailing hotmail addresses at the moment - it would appear that their spam settings are so high that regular mails are not reaching their destination. So if you do email us from a hotmail account please add 'info@andrewjacksonphotography.co.uk' to your address book and then our reply should reach you without any problems.

But Is It Art?

'Is photography art' is a fascinating question and one critical to how the value of photography is perceived in 2010 and beyond.

It is difficult to define 'fine art photography' in terms of subject matter - which in essence is unrestricted: of more importance is the creative process followed. Fine art photography has to have considerable creative freedom attached to it which excludes most, if not all, commissioned work. With the creative freedom comes the luxury of time. It is unique in having no time deadline - no delivery date - so the image can be worked on for as long as the photographer feels appropriate; there need be no compromise. But at some point it has to be signed off - literally, the signature in the corner marks the transition from 'work in progress' to 'finished article', from adolescence to adulthood and from that point on, the piece of work stands alone.

But there are two more elements to a 'fine art' definition and the first is that the image must elicit an emotional response from the viewer. Crudely, this is demonstrated by a desire to buy and own but even in the broader sense an image without engagement is a failed image.

The second is its pedigree. It is one thing for the photographer to capture an image but did they own the process? The origination of subject matter, the capture, the post production and printing, the presentation to exacting standards... the greater sense of ownership by the artist of this process, the stronger the fine art pedigree. Do you think this is a fair summary - let me know what you think...

*written whilst enjoying the view of Lake Lucerne, 7.7.10

Church Weddings

www.ndrewjacksonphotography.co.uk

As has been pointed out a number of times, this blog is rapidly turning into a tiny bit of a rant; or at least something of "soapbox corner" (think of it as my therapy!) but yesterday I was left wondering what is the next level down from a soapbox? (technically speaking, I guess its the ground, but you know what I mean)...maybe an "Its a Shame" Step...

We shot a wonderful wedding in the Cotswolds yesterday; the couple were lovely, 200 friendly guests and a church that was borderline Catherdral it was so spectacular - really beautiful, indeed everything a church wedding should be.

Except that the vicar refused permission for pictures to be taken during the service....so when the bride & groom look back on their photos the most important part of the day will be missing. The nervous looks, the father giving his daughter away, the exchange of rings, the first kiss, the joy of the occasion all missing. And by and large, it is a C of E issue; Roman Catholics are incredibly welcoming and really want to share the service and experience, Methodist services the same - but venture into a C of E church and it becomes a lottery. Some churches are wonderful, with a ready welcome and are a real joy to experience (All Saints in Clevedon as a great example of the warm welcome extended to visitors) but others are noticeably less so.

Photography in church is always a delicate balance - after all, it is hugely distracting to see a photographer moving around or firing a flash or intruding on the occasion in any way. But those of you reading this whose weddings we captured, will know how discreet we can be - no flash, no moving around and considerable respect for the occasion. So this isn't a rant as such, or even a soapbox moment - but it is such a shame that some vicars don't reflect upon the legacy that images from the service produce and who can't find the a compromise that maintains the integrity of the occasion without depriving the couple of such wonderful memories.

New Workshop Dates Announced

www.andrewjacksonphotography.co.uk

I am just putting the finishing touches to the next workshops, both to be hosted by the very lovely Rectory Hotel near Tetbury. Two workshops this time - an absolute beginners course, which is really for people you want to take a good snap, but have no interest in the techie side of things. The second is more advanced, with a starting point of taking the camera off the auto settings and taking control. We'll have a model and maybe some studio lights to play with, so you'll need to be a little more confident with your camera. If you might be interested, do call me - all the contact details can be found on the www.andrewjacksonphotography.co.uk website - and I can talk through which workshop might suit you best. All the previous workshops have been great fun and very supportive, so no need to hide at the back of the room if you are not sure about things - its a great opportunity to ask daft questions! The workshops are likely to be towards the end of September but let me know as soon as possible if you might be interested and I can keep you up to date.

Oh, and the fish picture has nothing to do with workshops - it just caught my eye as I was looking through some old images!