Is wedding photography a thing of the past?

Question:Everyone is a photographer now. Or so they think.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Everyone is a photographer now. Or so they think.

IMO, no. After a few royal foul-ups by the "I got a professional camera so now I'm a professional photographer" crowd the word will spread. A couple of lawsuits, angry brides talking with friends and the true professional wedding photographers will have all the business they want.

It may take a while for the turnaround but it will come.

I know what you mean, I was just talking about this today. Boy am I glad I'm retired.

Chris

That's a good one. After they see what they have taken, they think, oh dear, shoudl have hired a pro..

Only if you sense there is a lack of interest for preserving one of the most significant days of your life.

I agree that many are jumping in the genre thinking they can do the job, but I can't think of a worse scenario than looking through your shots and realizing you didn't didn't set the white balance right or that you didn't know enough about lighting to diffuse it leaving you stuck with a blown out wedding dress...and because you don't know what RAW shooting is, you really have no way to fix it in photoshop.

...and you are stuck leaving the couple with a lot of snap shots from the day.

Photographers - evaluate your skills and ask yourself - "Am I qualified to shoot this one time event?"

Buyer beware! Ask to see a portfolio!

No, there is a difference between taking snapshots and MAKING a photograph. The pro knows how to use either available light flash or studio light to get dramatic effects, a knowledge of posing(such as how to make a heavyset bride look thinner) and how to make all the portrait subjects look flattering, also there is a huge investment in equipment, pro camera, several lenses, backdrops, lighting, backup equipment,
computer systems, and the list is endless.

Only in the lack of weddings. Those who care enough to commit want to preserve the memories.

i have to agree with edwin, after enough fools get their @$$ bar-b-qued by angry brides and the bride's family the pros will get the business back... i went to a couple of weddings last year, and the couple was smart, (and connected) and had a professional photographer . i was at one a couple of years ago that had TWO professional photogs. (man they didn't want to miss anything)
fools will hire fools and loose, anyone with any brains at all will get someone who can focus on the job at hand and make images for memories and that takes alot more than a fancy camera.

No, the thing is not everone can afford the professional photography.

Those who can will still have them. Of course when I get married I hope I can get some of my photographer friends to shoot. They take great original shots

As long as weddings exist, than, you will work but dont expect to make millions out of wedding gigs. Once you have reached a certain experience and become detached emotionally, without giving up your sensitivity. Apply for journalism.
Now, if you want to be financially stable, this is the way to go.
Or gear yourself towards Photo-Shoots.