Real Wedding Photography VS. Commercial Photoshoot

I recently watched a documentary about a photoshoot with iconic Ann Liebovitz, one of the most iconic photographers of our time. Her works are exhibited in the London National Portrait Gallery, and she is known worldwide for photographing famous people and places.

You might not think of Ann Liebovitz as a commercial photographer but the reality is that the work she is most famous for was commissioned by clients. 

But what does this have to do with photographing a wedding?

I get to that in a moment, but first, I want to talk about what a photoshoot by Ann Liebovitz entails.

The documentary followed the process from the beginning stages through the actual shoot. After months of deciding where the shoot was going to take place, what models to hire, travel arrangements, etc., the actual shoot was three days long. Three days to produce seven photographs. Besides Ann, a slurry of assistances, make-up artists, and lighting professionals were on location. When everything was to Ann's liking her assistant handed her the camera and she took the shot. That went on for 3 days. After the photos were submitted, the editorial process and post-processing began. Teams of professional carefully debating the merits of one photograph over another. 

I am not writing this to discredit the process. Not at all. Being as talented as Mrs. Liebovitz is every photographer's dream. Being this successful is the fruition of the dream. 

However, while I was watching the film I couldn't help but think about the reality of photographing real wedding.

The reality of photographing a real wedding is very different from the shiny magazine covers you see while standing in the check-out line at your grocery store. Just like a commissioned photoshoot with Mrs. Liebovitz, those photo shoots are planned and orchestrated months in advance. Teams of editors, designers, and marketers decide what the layout will be and of course, the bride and groom in those photos are not real brides and grooms but are experienced models.

First and foremost, as real wedding photographers, we don't work with trained, expert models. My brides and grooms usually hate having their photos taken. If I get lucky, I have met them for an engagement shoot and we have a little experience working together.

Instead of 3 days, I have 5-6 and at most 8 hours to produce an album of work. Every decision I make about lighting, posing, and staging I have to make on the fly.

When I first get there, I have about 15 minutes to take photos of the dress, the rings if they are available, shoes, and accessories. If the bride is getting ready in a hotel room, sometimes I have to do a clean-up before I can take photos of her getting ready.

If the bride is getting has a bridal room at the location where the ceremony and reception are held, I might have some more time and can take photos as the thing unfold around me. If not, I have to get back in the car and drive to the ceremony location, so I can be there before my bride and groom arrive.

If the ceremony is in a church, I have to make sure I know about the rules. If been to churches where I wasn't allowed to move around, use a speed light, etc. But I still have to produce photos!

After the ceremony, we usually take family photos, and if the time allows we take bridal portraits. If I get an hour I am thrilled but the reality more often than not is 30 to 45 minutes to get it all done. If we didn't have time to get bridal photos done and the reception is about to begin, I have to find some time during the reception to take more photos of the couple. Now, now some brides' make-up and hair are not up-to-par and we have to fix as much as we can.

However, once the wedding is over, that is not the end for me. I don't send my files out to a editing team, I do all the post processing and marketing myself.

A wedding day is a marathon for a wedding photographer. If you don't love it it will chew you up and spit you out. It is not for the weak-minded or for those who want to earn a quick buck. 

I still get excited when I think about the weekend. I love not knowing what to expect and having to come up with solutions on the fly. I love the rush and I love the Love of a wedding day.

But I am also grateful for role-models like Ann Liebovitz. Her photos are an inspiration and I can't stop looking at them.

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