 |
PHOTOGRAPHIK ARTICLES |
 |
The Other Kind of Investment
by: Punam Bean
.jpg)
I have been married for longer than I have been a photographer. When I married my husband, the most important thing to me about our wedding was photography. It was a few years ago, and the archaic style of wedding photography was still transitioning into the photojournalistic, creative, thoughtful images that are more common today. So it was really difficult to find someone we loved.
And then I found her. She was 6,000 miles away and the work on her website was utterly splendid. Her prices were high but I just had to have her. So we flew her over oceans and countries so she could be there. We arranged everything via e-mail. The first time we ever spoke was an hour before my ceremony.
Now, I truly believe that if you can't find anyone you absolutely love in your neighborhood, use the Internet. Strike out into the world and find that one and only person who can photograph your wedding! You can certainly build relationships with people even if you've never met them in person! The problem with our scenario was that we didn't have any kind of a relationship with our photographer. She was a series of short emails and a contract, and I ended up feeling, after all was said and done, like an anonymous client. But this was my wedding! I was entrusting the most important, the most amazing, the most beautiful event of my life to this woman based solely on her brief, though cheerful, emails.
I received the photos and I was a little disappointed. She did a great job. She worked well under the poor lighting conditions and every portion of the day was adequately covered. But my husband and I are the biggest goof balls in the world. He spent some time trying to eat my face and leading me around by my many layers of tulle. We danced at our wedding like monkeys, employing such moves as the "funky air bass guitar" and I was rolling around on the floor in my $6,000 dress. (Seriously, it was like Trash the Dress on the dance floor, people!) And she didn't capture that. She didn't know us, so how could she capture us? We didn’t know her, so how could we expect her to?
When couples contact me, I try not to get right into the hard facts of the wedding day. I like to have a conversation first, to relate on a personal level. Who are these people? Where do they come from? How did they meet? Why are they interested in my work and what does that say about them? There's no rush. I'm happy to sit and chat for hours if it comes to it. I may not have been doing this for very long but this is one thing that has really helped me to create my best work. I offer a complimentary engagement session with every couple that books me for their wedding, so we can hang out, get to know each other, and come to trust one another. I always express the value of this bonding activity and people often fly from all over the country to participate.
This is my first year in business, and it's been amazing. I've booked 30 weddings in four countries and I have no anonymous clients. We spend time together. We have relationships. They trust me, and I love them. And from these long and personal conversations, I only ever find myself working with people whose love I really believe in. I know if they are goofy, if they are quiet. I know that this person has a great laugh and that person loves to kiss her mate. That's priceless to me; and I believe my clients like it too.
This all comes down to one thing. Making the decision to spend the rest of your like with someone is an investment and so is your photography. So if we are documenting great love, shouldn't we start by establishing relationships with each other? Be thrilled with your wedding photography! You will be so glad you made the investment.
DISCLAIMER : The views expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent the views of photographik or any member of the photographik organization.
|
| contributor details |
 |
 |
| Name: |
Punam Bean |
|
| About: |
Punam Bean is an international destination wedding and portrait photographer based out of New York City. She loves animals, and particularly longs for the companionship of a bulldog, in addition to that of her ever loving Husband. She eats pizza for breakfast every single day, and spends too much money on dresses. In this, her first year of business, she's booked 30 weddings all around the world, in New York City, California, Jamaica, Venezuela and Nigeria. Her images have been described as emotional, whimsical and elegant. |
|
| Contact: |
www.punambeanweddings.com |
|
|
Leave a Response
You must be logged in to leave a response |
|
|
|
|
