This question comes up often, especially at trade shows, workshops and conferences and photographers try to figure out how to market their services. Should a photographer specialize? Or advertise as a Jack/Jane of All Trades? The general consensus among the pros is to advertise a specialty. I agree, but from a potential client’s perspective, I also say, it is important to have diversified experience. This is especially true of wedding and special event photographers.
First, let me be clear. Wedding photography is a very specialized field. In order to do it properly, a photographer needs at least one full set of back-up gear, and know how to use that gear with her eyes closed-literally! I don’t recommend asking a friend with a camera to capture your wedding photos, unless that friend is a wedding photographer.Your photos will be the only record you will have of this very important day. Do you really want to leave that job to an amateur or novice?
But that pro/amateur issue aside, a wedding photographer has to be ready to capture anything that is noteworthy. So, there is some photo-journalism-for the candids, portraiture for the formals, architectural for the church and reception, fine art for the details (rings, invitations, flowers, place settings, etc.), food photography for the banquet, and if there are kids and pets, well you get my drift.
On paper that seems like an easy task. But bear in mind that each specialty requires a different skill set, and often different gear. The candids need someone who can capture motion-and emotion-that is properly exposed and isn’t blurry from a shutter speed that is too slow. The portraits needs someone who can pose a subject to make them look their best. The church and reception locations so carefully decorated need to be captured with the right perspsective and of course the right light–no flash glaring from the window or a mirror, please. The details such as the rings, the invitation, the lace on a gown, and other little details require an eye for composition and lighting that only a fine art photographer understands well. And of course if there are energetic kids and pets-knowing the decisive moment to snap the shutter spells the difference between a great shot and none at all.
So, when you are considering a photographer, certainly seek out a specialist, but make sure that the one you choose can also deliver the other specialties, too.
