Chapter Eleven - A Wedding Disaster

As a wedding photographer, I have seen my fair share of wedding disasters. One of the most memorable ones was many years ago in New Jersey, when I arrived at the venue and found out that the bride and groom had not secured the necessary permits for the outdoor ceremony. The venue staff was frantically trying to find a solution, but it was clear that the ceremony would have to be moved indoors. The bride was in tears, and the groom was trying his best to console her.

As we moved inside, I realized that the lighting was terrible. The room was dimly lit, and the walls were painted a dark color, making it difficult to capture good photos. I tried my best to adjust my camera settings, and set up my off camera flashes around the room, but it was a losing battle, this room was just not meant for a nice ceremony, it looked more like a storage for event chairs and tables. The ceremony began, and I started taking photos, but I knew that they would not be up to my usual standards.

After the ceremony, we moved outside for the group photos. It was an incredibly windy day, but the lighting was perfect in the most unfortunate direction, the wind was blowing from behind where I wanted my subjects, so now their hair was all in their faces. If I had turned us all around 180 degrees, I would have had a nice background of a parking lot, which is the worst background for any photos. I was rushed by the coordinators because we only had a short period of time due to the ceremony situation taking a lot longer time than expected and it was cutting into my photo time.

As the reception began, I realized that the DJ was not prepared. He did not have the right equipment, and the music was terrible. The guests were not dancing, and the atmosphere was awkward. I tried to capture candid moments, but there were none to be found. I remember a lot of the guests also kind of knew that it was a dud so some of the guests decided to just get hammered, and there were two guys that evidently had a disagreement and they began throwing blows but immediately got stopped by other groomsmen.

At the end of the night, I packed up my equipment and left, feeling disappointed. I knew that the photos would not be up to my usual standards, and I felt terrible for the bride and groom. It was a disaster of a wedding, and I knew that they would not have the memories that they had hoped for.

There are so many stories from wedding professionals about great weddings, horrible weddings, and everything in between. There isn’t much you can do during the day but try your best. Luckily, I have the greatest clients ever and they are all super cool and understanding. At the end of the night, both them and I kept saying sorry to each other as if was both of our faults. This particular couple totally understood it was a tough day and loved my photos anyways.

Chapter Four - Why Is Wedding Photography So Expensive? Because You're Paying for the Photographer's Therapy Bills

Wedding photography can be expensive, and as a wedding photographer myself, I understand why many couples might be hesitant to invest in it. But the truth is, there are so many factors that contribute to the high cost of wedding photography.

First, wedding photography is not just about taking pictures. It's about capturing the emotions, the details, and the memories of one of the most important days in a couple's life. This requires a lot of skill, experience, and creativity. A good wedding photographer will spend hours planning and preparing for the shoot, scouting locations, researching poses and lighting, and making sure they have all the necessary equipment.

Secondly, wedding photography is a time-consuming and physically demanding job. A typical wedding shoot can last anywhere from 8 to 12 hours, and the photographer is on their feet for most of that time, carrying heavy equipment and constantly moving around to get the best shots. After the shoot, the photographer then spends several weeks editing the photos, selecting the best ones, removing ones that are our of focus, or where my subjects eyes are blinking, and retouching them to perfection. All of this takes a lot of time and effort, which is reflected in the price.

In short, while wedding photography may seem expensive, it's important to remember that you're not just paying for a bunch of pictures. You're paying for a talented and dedicated professional who will capture the memories of your special day in a way that you can cherish for years to come.

The Cost of Equipment

As a wedding photographer, I know firsthand that the cost of equipment is one of the biggest factors that contribute to the high price of wedding photography. I mean, have you seen the price of a good camera lately? It's enough to make your wallet cry.

But it's not just the camera that we need. We also need a variety of lenses, film rolls, development lab fees, flashes, tripods, memory cards, and other accessories to capture the perfect shot, and let's not forget about the cost of backups and replacements. We can't risk having our equipment fail on the big day, so we need to have backups of everything just in case.

To give you an idea of the cost, here's a breakdown of the equipment that I use for a typical wedding:

• Camera: $6,000+

• Lenses (4-5): $1,500-$3,000

• Flashes (2-3): $600-$1,200

• Film Rolls $300

• Tripod: $200

• Memory cards (multiple): $600+

• Batteries (multiple): $300+

• Backup camera and lenses: $5,000+

And that's just the equipment. We also need to invest in editing software, website hosting, marketing materials, and more. It all adds up.

But here's the thing: we don't just buy the most expensive equipment because we want to. We need it to produce high-quality images that our clients will love. And we need backups to ensure that we can deliver those images even if something goes wrong.

So, while the cost of equipment may seem outrageous, it's a necessary expense for wedding photographers. We invest in the best tools so that we can deliver the best results for our clients.

Chapter One - I Moved From Los Angeles, To Las Vegas.

As a wedding photographer who recently moved from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, I can attest to the fact that the wedding industry in Las Vegas is thriving. With its reputation as the marriage capital of the world, Las Vegas has long been a popular destination for couples looking to tie the knot in a unique and exciting way. This has created a high demand for wedding photographers who can capture the magic of these special moments.

One of the biggest differences I've noticed since moving to Las Vegas is the variety of wedding venues available. From traditional chapels to stunning outdoor locations, Las Vegas has something for every couple's taste and budget. This has allowed me to expand my portfolio and offer a wider range of services to my clients. Additionally, the city's warm climate and beautiful scenery make it an ideal location for outdoor weddings, which is something I particularly enjoy capturing in my photography.

Despite the challenges that come with moving to a new city, I have found that the transition from Los Angeles to Las Vegas has been a positive one for my business. Since most of my business is in Los Angeles still, It’s just a short drive away if I ever need to go back to weddings or photoshoots. The wedding industry in Las Vegas is constantly growing and evolving, which presents exciting opportunities for photographers like myself. I look forward to continuing to work with couples in this vibrant and unique city.