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This blog post is really an attempt to explain a bit about what a “photojournalist” really does, especially within the area of wedding photojournalism or wedding photography. I think I may have touched on this point in a previous post but I don’t think it’s hit home yet. Basically when I am hired to do a job for a client I am trusted to do my best to express my art in their event. It is through their event that I get to show what I can do. In my case this is really capturing a good story and producing some interesting and intrugiung moments. Now I of course try to produce what I believe my clients would like (otherwise why would they hire me), but at the same time I have to be able to exercise my creativity as well.

Now most times I meet clients who don’t know much or anything about what I do and what they really want me to do. I have worked for clients who have asked me to solely do the thing I find most annoying in an event: “Photograph EVERY SINGLE PERSON… do that and you can do anything else you want.” Or they want me to photograph everything according to a generic list that has been provided (I remember a situation where I was asked to pose a few shots where the groom was tying his shoe laces). It sounds a bit funny right? But really this was what some clients want. You must be thinking, ‘well that’s what they want, you do exactly as you’re told. After all  the client is always right!’  Well, not quite so when it comes to art. If they want you to be an artist then you have every right to say what you think is right and what you as the artist don’t want. This should be why they trust you–after all they’ve seen the fruit of your expertise from the past which led them to contacting you and paying you your fee to get the job done. I think it needs to be made clear to your client who you are and what you do before they sign the dotted line. In my case, I am an Event Photojournalist, and I like to tell stories through my images. I am NOT a paparazzi, photographing every Tom, Dick and Harry that attended your event. If you want everyone captured in your event, you should probably looks elsewhere.

The images below are from a post-wedding dinner in Hampshire at the Four Seasons Hotel.  This is a client I truly enjoyed working for. Contrary to my tirade above, they allowed me do exactly what it is that I do best: being the inconspicuous guest creating images of their event. I thoroughly enjoyed doing this job and love the final product.

Equipment :  EOS Canon 5D Mark II, Canon EF  35mm f/1.4, Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L and Sigma EX DG HSM 50mm f/1.4

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I’m so grateful for the patronisation of my wedding photography service by my clients. It’s a very good feeling knowing that your clients really value your work. This year the business has done really well in terms of the number of enquiries received and I must say that it really disheartens me to turn away prospects as a result of a booked date in the diary. Recently I’ve been working very hard with my colleague Mista Skee who has stepped in on many occasions to cover weddings on my behalf. He’s a natural talent as you can see from the images below. Not only is he amazing behind the camera but he’s also very good in his post production. ALL the images here were all processed by the Right Hon gentleman for a wedding which I couldn’t take on.

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