I have always believed that we wedding photographers should be more than the “photographer.” In many, many cases we need to be prepared to be flexible and mobile for emergency wedding situations. What is a wedding emergency? Disoriented or nervous children walking down the aisle, mis-fitting outfits that you may notice before anyone else, the carpet runner buckling up setting up an embarrassing moment for someone, maybe even us, the photographer, if we’re not paying attention.
I remember one large wedding I was hired to do several years ago in Savannah, GA. The bride was in tears because the groom was about an hour late and her make-up was beginning to run a little!! Top that off, the pastor was becoming irritated. I sent my lady assistant to go get our make-up kit (yes, I carry a make-up kit) and be prepared to touch her up once her face is dry and she was sparkling again.
Finally, the groom arrived and he and several associates were rushing into the dressing area along with the tuxedos for the 12 groomsmen. Now, here we go; none of the tux were fitted correctly! None! OMG, the panic, mayhem and phone conversation the groom was having with the tuxedo renter. Those words I will not reveal here. I informed my 2nd assistant to inform the bride and pastor that the groom has arrived and he’ll be ready soon. Where was the wedding coordinator? M.I.A. when the panic started an hour earlier.
I sent one of my assistants to the suburban for the sewing kit (yes, we always carry a sewing kit). I had all of the groomsmen to swap outfits that would closely match another groomsman. We then began to rip seams, nip and tuck wherever possible. I had pretty much decided that few wedding images would have any images below the ankle photographed. We would work the 2/3 zone with most images a groomsman was photographed in. Why? Although we managed to get everyone fitted, not all pants were of the proper length. In addition, the bride’s make-up was re-applied by her sister using our kit.
The wedding was a bridal success and the reception was full of laughs about the pre-wedding panics. The entire wedding party showed Jazzyshots Photographer’s much love for our part in helping out. We sold many great images, soft cover books and single images to the wedding party members and others that attended. That would not have been possible if the wedding had ended in a tragedy. Today the family and party members continue to send friends and family in our direction for their special events.
I have more than a dozen of these stories I can write about, but I’ll save it for my “Wedding Photographer’s Novel” I dream of publishing one. Maybe, this blog could serve as the starting point for that book (LOL). But, seriously, as a wedding photographer, you have to be ready to assist where you can as long as it does not cause you to miss those all important “must’ images. Why should you keep your eyes open for opportunities for failure? So you can notify the right person and if all else fails, make it right yourself. Can you imagine trying to sell images, beyond the orignal agreed sets to newlyweds of panicked, miserable or sad faces? Although, not our fault as photographers, the chances are good that we cannot call this another successful wedding because the images are not loved and no new referrals are being sent our way, all because we failed to be “More Than Just The Wedding Photographer.”
The Big Picture
