It's about to get hot in here!! This post is full of a few controversial Concepts in the photography and wedding industry, I've heard these topics discussed over the last few months, and I just wanted to put all my thoughts on "paper"... My take might not be yours, and that's totally okay! We're all welcome to our own opinions. Now further ado, let's get into my first photographer hot take!
Photographer Hot Take One - PRESETS
When I first got started in photography, it was shared with me that purchasing and using presets is considered cheating. I would spend hours editing each and every photo from scratch. At some point, I did start copying and pasting setting from one photo to the next, which definitely sped up the process... but I wasn't quite getting the look I was searching for.
So, I caved and bought presets. Best decision ever.
THE TAKE - PRESETS ARE NOT CHEATING.
It allows your photographs to be consistent from session to session (whether you purchase or make them yourself). Editing Is Incredibly time consuming, so why not find a way to make It a smoother/quicker process? It's called working smarter not harder! There's so much more Involved to get to that final edit than just adjusting colors and highlights. Most presets cannot be slapped onto a photo and have It be exactly what you're looking for. It's just a more effective starting off point.
Hot Take Two - DRINKING ON THE JOB
Coming from a girl that doesn't drink in general, we all know what my take is going to be. I'm sure we've all had the reception with a dance floor that goes an hour too long and time passes by slowly. Although having a drink might make the last few hours of work more enjoyable, there's still consequences.
THE TAKE - JUST DON'T DO IT. What's the first thing they teach you about drinking in high school health class? It impairs your vision and delays your motor skills. Sure, this might result in a few funky, artsy photos... but it could also result in you causing harm to yourself or someone else. Even if you have insurance, it might be voided knowing you were drinking on the job.
Hot Take Three - TILTED PHOTOS
If you're on instagram, you've seen tilted photos. When this trend first surfaced, I hated it. Being someone that is fairly technique focused, producing photos that were not at all leveled were an absolute no. But then I reminded myself...
THE TAKE - PHOTOGRAPHY IS AN ART. Art includes blurry, out of focus, and even tilted photos. I'm one to love a blurry or out of focus photo, so why would a tilted photo be any different? I've started forcing myself to include them in my galleries to stretch myself outside of my comfort zone. and, I'd be lying if I said I'm not starting to love them.
If you've made it this far, turn down the AC... It's about to get toasty.
Hot Take Four - FILM PHOTOGRAPHY ON YOUR WEDDING DAY
Alright, things are about to heat up. This take isn't diving into the concept of film photography. I personally love film photography. I love the process. I love the look. I love the nostalgia. What I don't love is the idea of hiring a film photographer and a digital photographer separately (unless the two photographers have already worked out a deal).
With film becoming trendy, some couples are seeking a film photographer without consulting with their (already hired) primary photographer. Most primary photographer contracts specifically state that you cannot hire another still photographer. Also, plenty of photographers also offer film... so make sure that you're chatting with your primary photographer before attempting to hire anyone else. one reason being that they might be able to offer that service to you. And two, you hiring another photographer (even if it's just film) might void your contract with your primary photographer.
THE TAKE - IF YOU WANT FILM PHOTOGRAPHY FOR YOUR WEDDING, HIRE ONE PHOTOGRAPHER THAT CAN PROVIDE YOU BOUGHT DIGITAL AND FILM SERVICES. So many photographers now-a-days offer film photography as a service. IF your primary photographer doesn't have the equipment or the knowledge, they can hire a film photographer either just for film or as a second shooter for the day. Regardless, all professional (aka - paid for) still photographs related to the wedding day are the property of the primary photographer, Therefore, all contracts should be under the primary photographer.
Hot Take Five - TAGGING FOR SECOND SHOOTERS
I had a good conversation with a different photographer when It comes to who a second shooter can and cannot tag in their photos along when they should be allowed to post content from that wedding. As a second shooter, you're growing your industry knowledge while building connection. Social networking might seem difficult if you're not allowed to tag any of the vendors beside the primary photographer. I totally get it, but...
HOT TAKE - SECOND SHOOTERS SHOULD ONLY TAG THE PRIMARY PHOTOGRAPHER. period. It's in my contract with my second shooters that cannot tag anyone besides me, and they have to wait 8 weeks to post any content from the wedding. As a second shooter, you're ultimately there to assist with the needs of the primary photographer. To be really blunt, a second shooter wouldn't be a professional photographer at that wedding if it wasn't for the primary photographer. The primary photographer has been working with the clients and vendors and is typically calling what shots the second shooter needs to take. Therefore, pay credit to your primary photographer.
Some photographers go as far as not allowing their second shooters to ever post photos from the wedding or even follow the other vendors. I definitely don't go that far.
Hot Take Six - BUDGET SHAMING
There was a TikTok that recently went viral where a photographer (in my opinion) mocked a potential client that inquired for their wedding day because their budget for photography was maybe a quarter of her starting prices. The photographer that posted the TikTok ended getting roasted by the internet. Although I don't believe she should be attacked online or given 1 star google reviews, I do believe what she did wasn't right.
I personally ask what a client's photo budget is in my inquiry form (at least used to, now I have my price range on my site) because it prepares me for the potential ghosting that might follow when I share my investment guide. If it's a wedding/elopement I really want to take, I might extend a discount or a curated package option to fit within their budget. If you don't want to receive inquiries from future clients that don't have a budget for your services, then list your prices on your site.
We can all agree that the wedding industry is pricey. Those that are getting engaged and are wedding planning don't have the wedding industry knowledge that you would as a wedding photographer. Your future clients might not know what the typical starting prices are for most vendors, and I'm sure they don't want to start marriage off with massive debt. Personally, this is why my husband and I chose to elope. So, keep that in mind when someone inquires with a low budget price point. Sharing their budget is their first step to starting the booking process. It's not a valid reason to shame them.
But on the other hand, a photographer's cost is typically non-negotiable. When we share our prices, most clients are going to see large money signs. From our end, we see taxes that are going to get pulled, assistants or shooters we're going to have to pay, hours planning, possible additional sessions and meetings leading up to the big day, the day itself, and of course all the editing. As a business owner, almost 35% of our income goes to Uncle Sam. That's not counting all the expenses we have to cover as well. Photography isn't a cheap business to go into.
Just for perspective, If I charge $1000 for a 6 hour wedding photo coverage. I personally only see about $400 that's mine to keep. I'm doing AT LEAST 12 additional hours behind the scenes between prepping, culling, editing, bookkeeping, etc. So let's say I'm working 18 total hours for $400. That's a little over $22 an hour. If I want to make this a full time gig, I'm going to need to either book way more or raise my prices. Sometimes working more isn't possible when demands are high or live styles have changed. Also, $22 an hour seems like decent pay for someone living in Alabama, but that might not be the case for someone in California.
HOT TAKE - IF A POTENTIAL CLIENT CANNOT AFFORD YOU, DON'T BLAST THEM ON THE INTERNET. IF A PHOTOGRAPHER IS OUT OF YOUR BUDGET, DON'T BLAST THEM ON THE INTERNET. PERIOD.
Hot Take Seven - COPYING VS INSPIRATION
This has been a boiling hot topic lately in the photography industry. Where is the link between straight up copying someone and using someone's art as inspiration? My grandma always tells me, "There's nothing new under the sun!"
A great example would be a recent trend of putting the wedding bands in a slice of wedding cake during the reception or even reception flat lays. While everyone has been up over arms on that being a different photographers "original idea" and everyone else is copying her, a different photographer found that exact photo concept in a magazine that was published 10 years ago.
If you haven't read The Creative Act: A Way of Being yet, I highly highly recommend. There's a few chapters in there dedicated to the concept that our ideas are not truly our ideas. They're a collaboration with the world around us. You wouldn't have come up with that idea or action out of thin air. Something or someone led you to that thought.
HOT TAKE - IF YOU'RE STRAIGHT COPYING AND PASTING CAPTIONS, GUIDES, WEBSITES, SOCIAL MEDIA BIOS, BLOG POSTS, ETC... I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ALL NOTICE, AND THAT'S NOT A GOOD THING. IF YOU'RE USING PREVIOUS PHOTO CONCEPTS FROM PHOTOGRAPHERS ON INSTAGRAM OR PINTEREST AS INSPIRATION, GO FOR IT IF THAT'S YOUR CREATIVE FLOW! HOWEVER, IF YOU'RE PRODUCING PHOTOS WITH THE EXACT SAME LAY OUT, MODELS, DESIGN, PROPS, ETC AS ONE SPECIFIC PHOTOGRAPHER... YOU MIGHT AS WELL GIVE THEM A CUT OF YOUR EARNINGS.
WHAT I WANT TO SEE MORE OF IN WEDDINGS
Lets put the hot takes aside for now. Here's a ton of concepts I would really love to see play out in the 2024 and 2025 wedding seasons. Some have been trendy for a while, but never seem to actually make it to the big day!
ONE - WHO WALKS YOU DOWN THE AISLE
It's tradition that your father walks you down the aisle. If that's what you want on your wedding day because you care deeply about tradition or your father is your best friend, go for it! But some gal's, that might not be the case. I believe that person walking you down the aisle shoudl be someone that has had a huge part in your live to that point. I also think it's a moment if no one walks you down the aisle.
TWO - CIRCULAR CEREMONY SEATING
Almost all weddings have the traditional row seating for the ceremony. What typically happens as the bride walks down the aisle, everyone stands. Anyone on the outer edges don't usually get a good view of that moment when the bride meets her husband. Circular seating could provide a better view for your guest of this magical moment at the beginning of the ceremony.
THREE - MORE CEREMONY EXITS
Most couples have any celebratory exit for the end of the reception. By the end of the night, most of your guest are either exhausted, super drunk, sweaty (including the two of you), or may have already left. Don't get me wrong, I love a good reception exit. But, let us now forget about your ceremony! Imagine a dip kiss halfway down the aisle while rose petals are floaiting all around you! It's almost euphoric!
FOUR - BRIDAL PARTY IN ALL WHITE
White is typically held for just the bride. However, there's something chick and vogue about the while bridal party being in simple white dresses.
FIVE - GETTING MARRIED NOT AT A CHURCH OR VENUE
It's 2025! It's time to start thinking outside of the box. You can get married just about anywhere nowadays. In the Huntsville, Alabama area, Perry Hancock (@perryhancockphoto on Instagram) has absolutely popped off for her photos of a wedding at the Space and Rocket Center. ICONIC! Image sharing your "I do"s In an art museum, ranch, family farm, library, collge football stadium, etc. Go big or go home!
Thank you so much for reading my blog post!!
Let's get social - follow me on IG (@kaleighmadison.photo)
With Love,
Kaleigh
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