Andy Pickard Photographer, Wedding, Portrait and Life style photography Blog
Tuesday 22 November 2011
Battle of the bands?
I’m about to share something I’ve been thinking for quite a while, at the risk of proving a dyslexic photographer should keep his ruminations to himself.
Wedding photographers are, in my experience & myself included, quite an interesting breed a combination of arrogance, insecurity and creative angst. Over the last couple of months there’s been a perceptible move across the wedding industry to disparage the Vintage wedding “trend” which got me to thinking, why the need to take pot shots at one style of wedding photography over another?
I feel that 21st century wedding photographers are similar to rock stars (bear with me, this IS going somewhere!) Both have decades of influences; subliminal and chosen, which they weld together and re-present as their own style; producing work to please their own creative urges that we /they hope others will like. Some feel the need to create a competitive atmosphere extolling their chosen style as the only way forward, some have a more inclusive attitude believing that a market place should have a choice of styles & maybe not being afraid to embrace a passing fad or two along the way - think Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust for example.
I sometimes think wedding photographers can loose sight of their raison d’etre; which in my view is to capture a couples most important day and realise the vision they had while planning it. Some seem more interested in imposing their style on a wedding day and advancing their brand rather than work with the couple to realise their dream.
I know I’m going to get flamed for suggesting that we should let couples take part in the creative process rather than being marionettes for our chosen style & some would argue that they have a myriad of choice & can find a tog who “fits” their style but I am continually advancing my creative process which is organic, influenced by every wedding I shoot. Weddings are all different; I bring my “eye” to the mix and together with the couple we create something unique we are all happy with.
So guys & gals who do we want to be? Status Quo - producing the same well loved formula year after year, but hey it pays the bills, or Queen not afraid to try different styles, dip toes into fads & trends but maintain their signature look & sound, or Lady Gaga, pushing the boundaries, making & influencing the trends?
At the end of the day isn’t there a place & enough customers for us all?
Monday 21 November 2011
Tuesday 15 November 2011
Sunday 13 November 2011
Haley & Phil
A gorgeous November's day for Haley& Phil to take a stroll through Bradgate Park in Leicester for their engagement shoot
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