When you’re a creative, much of what you do rides on the vision, artistry, and originality behind your work. I believe that this image from a wedding I shot last year at Willowdale Estate has been done by at least three other local wedding photographers since I took it. I’m not claiming that I’m the original, because it probably was a coincidence as this bathtub is unique to this venue, but prior to me shooting at this venue, I hadn’t seen it.
The story behind why I came up with this idea was actually weather related. I’d seen all these gorgeous, lush weddings shot at Willowdale with towering trees and large grass fields… believe me, I wish I could have done those portraits too. However, this wedding was in late winter, it wasn’t possible, we went outside for portraits and they were beautiful, but a little gray. (I’m going to be blogging two more winter sessions on the blog in the next few weeks and you’ll see the grayness of the winter there as well.) I could only keep the bride and groom outside for about 15 minutes before all their skin turned pink. Due to the limitations that were imposed on me by the weather, I had to make as much use of the indoor locations as I could, and that’s when this bathtub inspired me.
Still, it was a little crazy, I mean, who puts a bride in a bathtub, right? Apparently, me, because while writing this blog I remembered that I did something similar in 2010 at Henderson House. Anyway, I’m really proud of this photo, I love the lighting and the color, and a lot of new clients point to it as well as a reason why they want to hire me.
Do I care that there are other versions? No. I welcome healthy competition, it keeps me on my toes. Art imitates, inspires, and is reinterpreted. You see it everywhere. In paintings, we see painters quoting other painters’ work or paying homage to certain poses. In movies, there are countless adaptations and remakes. In novels and poems… so many examples.
I recently tweeted that getting your ideas copied means that they are good ideas. You should be afraid if someone executes it better than you can. Facebook was not the first social network. Google was not the first search engine.
There are photographers out there – some who are my very own assistants – who are trying to be like me. To these assistants I have often said, “find your own voice, your own angle.” If your entire portfolio ends up being you trying to shoot like someone else, then the artist that is supposed to be you, will be lost. When I first began, there were many photographers I aspired to be like – and many of them were strangely based in California (which I later found out, it’s just because the weather is better). As my work grew, I realized I found the most joy being myself, and having clients who liked me just as I was – and not because my work reminded them of someone else’s (who was more expensive). Nowadays while I’m on personal leave (for the sake of love!), I still get an email maybe once, twice a week from brides who were devastated and really wished they could have hired me before I took this leave, and only me. If you are one of them, don’t despair, email me and I can help you out with some referrals.
When I used my own personality to influence how I worked and how I made my clients feel, we began having beautiful and exquisite experiences. And that, my friends, is really what wedding photography should be about.
Shang is a wedding photographer known for imagery that pops with color, personality, and energy. Shang believes that the best wedding photographer for you is one who you feel comfortable having around all day – personality is key!
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by Shang
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