... say yes ...

I remember what it was like to say YES to the first wedding inquiry that came across my table.  It was a much different feeling of exhilaration than family sessions.  It was the thrill that I was going to be the one who made this couple's day into timeless keepsakes.  Memories in print.

Weddings are a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  You do not get to call in a do-over for a wedding if you do not get it right.  

I can tell you that it is for this exact reason that I said YES to all those second shooting jobs.  It gave me the experience that I needed to be a successful wedding photographer.  I can not tell you how passionate I am about people saying NO until they have shot a wedding or TEN with another wedding photographer.

It really gets you prepared for the bride-zillas, mom-zillas and Uncle Bobs.  It gives you an arsenal of replies to diffuse situations, make a bride feel brilliant and relax a tense moment where someone forgot the rings. 

Too many times I hear people say YES at the wrong time.  The excuse, "I told them I never had, but they insisted" does not mean they really value photography.  It means they know you will do it for pittance and they do not care if they turn out fantastic or crappy.  I want to shout at those asking for advice when they have gotten themselves into a wedding without ever setting foot at one before.  I want to say "JUST SAY NO."  But alas, DARE has taken that slogan.  So until then, here is my little plea... SECOND shoot.  A ton.  Schlep bags for your favorite photographer.  You will learn so much more than just shooting when you are an observer!

I also have to say, I greatly value my second photographers.  They anticipate my needs.  They say YES when I need them to do shoot something.  They say YES when I need them to hold a flash, lens, piece of gear.  These photographers who say YES to second shooting, YES to learning with or without a camera in their hand and YES to anticipating my next move - those are the next great wedding photographers.