Had a spell doing weddings / portraits / events in the early 1980's whilst trying to supplement my meagre earnings as a trainee underwriter. Wedding photography is hard, pressurised, thankless work. Every guest is a professional (in their own mind) and they will insist on trying to usurp the pro's shots whilst in "mid flow". I came close to belting a few of them over the years.
Then you had the pressure of processing the film and getting the printing done. My mate and I used to try to get some of the less formal B&W shots of the guests processed and printed by the time that the wedding reception was in full swing - then we'd take orders and make a few bob extra.
The hourly rate - when you take into account cost of equipment, processing time and visitis to the client's home with the proofs / album - was less than minimum wage.
Goodness knows how a full-time wedding tog makes a crust these days. Most of the guests have got the same / better gear than the pro (not that that means much) into the bargain and a lot of couples seem happy with an accumulation of snaps from guests....
No thanks. I'd rather shoot for my own enjoyment....
Tamsin Outhwaite? Wasn't she in "Suicide Half Hour" (Eastenders)?
