You're Not a Professional if You Shoot Weddings
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- čas přidán 26. 06. 2024
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Did you get paid? Then your a professional.
💯
I've heard this excuse allot, but even amateurs get paid $100 or more. But they aren't a professional yet. Should they give up? No. Should others put them down? No
*you're
jes
I take my hat off for any pro no matter the genre. Wouldn't do weddings myself. Its special indeed. There are wedding pros so extremely good that they make 10k a day and work for magazines too...
Then again, I just needed a new dentist because the old one f up royally...
My dad once told me: amateur comes from the latin word amare = to love. But does it mean an amateur cant pull off an amzing exhibition or book (without making money from it)?
And does it mean that the pros can't have very bad days, 'cause they're naturally sick of it?
But how many amateurs can produce a solid photostory every week..?
To be a pro means to deliver. Independently from wether he's getting paid or being excellent.
Cheers mate! Go More philosophical. Never listen to anyone. Honesty to oneself is true self-consciousness only (not what others like or not like) and thus true happines. And if you can't do weddings anymore, move on without justifying it before others, only yourself!
👍🏼
Wedding filmmakers and photographers honestly have the most cajones in my opinion because there are ZERO retakes. You need to be on point the entire day. It’s amazing how much more chill a corporate shoot is. I’ve never had anyone say that to me but I’d probably just laugh at the ignorance 😂
Yep, people have no clue.
And then want it for a tousand..
Even in proper reportage you can get away with 10 mediocre shots.
While in most other genre you can do it again and again and then fix the lights just a little again...and have a little break...and have more discussion and make up refix and whatnot. You still have to deliver, sure, but its so different to be 'creative' than just shot what you're given. The only easy thing about weddings is the locations and costumes look good by definition, helps a lot. But still...
The plight of being a creative. “You do this as a hobby”, or “I can pay you in experience/exposure”. Little do they realize what life would be like without all of these mediums so woven into the fabric of our being. You roooooock ❤❤❤
love you, sis
You're awesome Eric. I appreciate your encouraging spirit. Been shooting wedding films for a decade now, and while it's certainly led to other cool opportunities with real estate and brands, there's nothing quite like the "OMGGGG WE LOVE IT" messages you get from couples when they see what you created. Certainly beats the corporate version: "Thanks, looks good, check is in the mail."
Dang Eric. That line “knowing that my introvert self has to be extrovert for 10 hours” …that hits me haha
Couple weekends ago I was saying “ugh I’m not up for this tomorrow” but, just as you said, 15 minutes into the day, I was hooked because I love it.
The first two minutes of this video really helped me reframe photo/video work for weddings. I’ve done my share of them at a smaller scale but found myself getting kind of jaded when having to capture the same moments time after time.
But you’re right: it’s a unique chance to see the real value in those moments, using our craft to preserve those times for others and potentially echo them into future generations.
Totally refreshed my perspective on this front (as usual). Thanks for sharing.
Great video great heartfelt info in there.. definitely saving up for the course❤
Thank you Eric for sharing these honest thoughts 🙏
Ive done weddings for 6 years, full time for 2.5 years now, and with that, plus every other random content job etc, it's a good gig. I love it. Based in New Zealand so never have to travel super far, scenery is always unreal and it means a lot more free time for general life. Currently in Bali for a while to skip the winter season off :D
Thank you, I needed this.
Hey Eric, just found your channel and I’ve been binging your awesome content!
For some reason I can’t seem to find the answer to this anywhere, but are you still using the Canon eos C200 to film your videos? If not, what do you use as your main camera?
You know what? This is so true. It's all about just doing what YOU want. I am on the other side. I LOVE my clients, and even tho some of them are BIG brands, I would love to do more of what I want. For me that is CZcams and passion projects.
I think a lot of people will feel less because someone is doing something that might be bigger in other people's eyes.
Thanks for this, Eric.
Thank you for creating helpful content to the handful of people that can't afford it❤️
Hi Eric, I really really like you. You are so genuine.
Much love!!
I love my wedding business. I've shot every type of free lance work and weddings seem effortless to me...I'm in Hawaii though so it might be more laid back out here. My job is to make the viewer cry with happiness and I'm okay with that. Every type of free lance work has its pros and cons...Thanks Eric!
So good! So funny 😂
Having spent nearly a decade in the corporate/commercial/Television side of the photo/video industry BEFORE going into weddings, I feel like this statement is EXACTLY why I was so against entering the wedding world (even when V started photographing them). NOW, fast forward another 6 years, and I love when I hear this, because I can simply explain, with proof, how wrong that statement is. I have never been more fulfilled in what I create, as I have since I moved to doing weddings. Some folks just dont get it, and thats ok. We love what we do, we understand how immensely important what we do is to our clients, and we wouldnt change a thing. Thanks for sharing this video! ALSO, we LOVE that you are opening the classroom up indefinitely!
yes. yes. yes. Much love, friends!!
@@EricFloberg hope you’re well!
I just think and feel weddings is a starting point for many photographers and filmmakers but if you don’t progress into a different area that’s sweet.
the expediting point is right on the money
Love your philosophy and would love to hear a deep dive on this! Realizing it might be the most important thing I have ❤ moving forward.
Probably just need to get the course when I can ;)
We do deep dives like this on our podcast: Rally Caps! :)
@@EricFloberg will check it out!!! Thanks for the reply
That banner is so cool!!! When I tell people I'm a wedding photographer their usual response is "oh my god wow"
Haha thanks! The banner was all Steven's genius. Be proud of that title! :)
'You can't do both photography and videography' , this one deserves a video too haha
hahaha
You absolutely can. I do and it's always a great sell.
great thoughts. I think the biggest thing i've struggled with is the nagging voice in the back of my head going "weddings are great but are you still doing this when you're 40? 45? 50?" easy answer is to just say if you still love doing it does it matter? the harder thing though, I think, is there will be a day you step away from them -- maybe the days get too long/physical or you truly need to move on -- what's next? I guess that's where diversification comes in...
Weddings are a good practice for doc filmmaking
I've had someone say to me "wedding shoots aren't real shoots" non-jokingly. This either proves they've never shot a wedding before, or they're not great at it 😅
A buddy of mine just booked a photographer for his wedding, which was north of $4k and apparently, she is booked a year out. Ive had to take a hard look at my life as a first responder and hobbyist and the danger, stress, and ptsd are making me question this $50k salary that the world told me I needed. Im not getting younger and am currently sidelined with a work injury which has made me realize my photography should be making me money not constantly draining. I took AOD last year which was amazing and Im sure this class would be life changing.
Hey, Eric! Love the content! Quick question, I started my wedding business about a year and a half to two years ago and business is actually going relatively well right now. I just have a problem. Every so often I will get somebody asking if I provide drone footage for video weddings. I personally don’t have a drone so I don’t provide that footage and I lose out on clients. Should I make the leap into getting a drone and providing that kind of footage? I understand that they make for beautiful establishing shots, but I just love that intimate feel when I am physically holding my camera and able to get up close and personal with the bride and groom
Hey!! Tough situation, but it sounds like the clients that go with someone else because of a drone aren't your target clients. That doesn't mean you shouldn't get a drone. If you feel like that will land more clients and sustain you financially, that's not a bad idea. OR you can start marketing yourself in a way that says "You don't need a drone for your wedding." Be totally transparent and prove why the drone shots actually don't matter. Will they be upset 30 years from now, in tears watching the memories of their wedding and family because there's no drone shot? Market yourself to your clients that way, continue to make beautiful films, and you will resonate with new clients that have the same philosophy.
@@EricFloberg great advice! You’re awesome youtube dad! Thank you😊
Drones will be around for a long time so I’m going to guess you’ll get one eventually. So why not get one now and secure those extra clients? From my own early experience, having a drone seems to be a selling point for my wedding packages as many ask specifically if I bring along my drone. Just my two cents
@@aidan_fitzgerald yeah, and I completely understand that. In the last two years, this is only the second client who has been adamant about drone footage and I’ve lost a client because of it. But I am trying to invest in one.
@@aidan_fitzgerald and I’ve also read that you need to acquire a certificate of some sort, in order to operate a drone for commercial purposes as well which, I’m not gonna lie, has also caused me to post pone adding that to my services
short answer: Do you make a living off your work? Yes ? Your professional
You Wrong Baby….. 😂😂😂
Would love to know why!
But can we take a moment to talk about that HAT, tho!? 0:09 (no seriously, who made it, it slaps)
nomade-moderne.com/
@@EricFloberg hey thanks! Much appreciated!
You are a professional. Me on the other hand.. let one of those mother in laws start talking crazy and watch me become unprofessional. 😂. I could not do it , also as others have said if you get paid your a professional.
With a wedding you have no retakes , you have to get it right
Ha! Ya... Some youtubers (and their influenced viewers) love gatekeeping that filmmaker title.. like damn, let me just make my shit and enjoy it! I stopped trying to identify as a filmmaker/videographer. If I love my videos and my couples love their videos that's enough for me.
The money's great too though.
I'd like to get to the point where I could get paid for photography and videography, including for weddings.
I never heard that before. I have enormous respect for wedding photographers. As a mostly street photographer who has attended many Polish weddings, I know that I would not be able to take good pictures of ugly drunk people in often shitty places.
I make good money sooooo, I basically don't give any f about other photographers opinion.
Don't let anyone to tell you anything like that about work you love
Amen
Who even says that, I’ve been filming weddings for years and have never been told this lol
I've heard it a lot! haha - definitely more of "when are you getting out of weddings" than "you're not a professional," but it often feels like the latter when the former is said for me.
Finally. Someone will say it. All hacks.
Joking aside, weddings often fall short of being truly wonderful. Even the most laid-back individuals can transform into energy-draining vampires. Creativity is a rare alignment of planets, an earth-shattering event when it happens, but a cause for questioning everything when it eludes you. In 2023, I navigated my inaugural year without weddings acting as DP on some really cool projects. I took a hit in salary but fuck money. Breaking free from those metaphorical vampires brings unparalleled joy. I was just hired by a producer and director for a doc. I'm elated with joy and loving the preproduction and prep for the doc; knowing it's one more step into life outside weddings. Rest assured, you too will eventually break free from their grasp.
Every time I hear the word ''Indulge'' I know it was written by ChatGPT
I can confirm this was written by my brain. Here’s the Google doc: docs.google.com/document/d/1oOrAzDOu9r-nVfm-6RD3QCltrB_-FYzaO8ggeUtPnZs/edit
@@EricFloberg Amazing! Thaks for sharing it! Great video
So good! Thank you for sharing this. 🫶🏻😄
Don't forget, you're also not a professional unless you ONLY shoot photo OR video, not both! You can't possibly be good at two things and offer two services while being a professional....
hahahaha hybrid shooters unite
I've been a film wedding photographer since '08, but a film photog since '03 and even though it's my main source of income, I have never considered myself a professional and chuckle when I'm called a professional photographer. Funny enough, Nikon doesn't consider me pro either. My gear is too old to qualify for NPS, even my digital backups + lenses.
I don't know. Maybe it's the aspect of having grown up in the hood as a counter culture punk kid engrained the whole 'sell out bad' in my head a little too deep.
I photograph weddings on 35mm film while drunk. That's all people need to know.
Thank you for always reminding us creatives to put the "why" we do this always at the forefront of it all. Yes, it can get frustrating sometimes but once you and your clients hit it off and get in sync, magic truly happens - what other instance can you say that? I'm so happy i get to do this and looking forward to more joy spread like pixie dust all over 🫶
Truth. I don't know how else to describe it other than "magic." It's a feeling I don't feel in any of my other work.