I reach home after hours of grueling pre- wedding outdoor shoot for a charming couple and what awaits is a beautiful hand written ‘Thank You’ note on my dining table from a bride who just received her wedding album from Morvi Images.
Three years of Morvi Images yet these simple notes still warm me and reinforce my passion. I keep my camera down and head to my laptop and a glance through my inbox confirms the week ahead is going to be busy. I have two personal client meetings, outdoor shoot and some exciting discussions with brides to be.
I head to the kitchen and start brewing my evening cup of coffee, wondering how life has taken a completely different turn from how I had planned it to be. Three years back, I shot my first wedding, and although I don many hats at Morvi Images, there isn’t a dull day.
Fun time conversations with my friends often end up with them having flattering things to say about my passion including “It is so amazing what you do. You get to do your own thing and live according to your timetable. Travel to beautiful places and click beautiful couple. I would do anything to have a life like yours”
There seems to be a lot of misconceptions regarding what wedding photographers actually do all week. It’s perfectly understandable, after all, the only time most people see us working is at the wedding. What they don’t know is a secret that I love about my life. Honestly, shooting weddings means that I am working nearly every single weekend in the spring, summer and fall and have my life planned out up to 12 months ahead of time. Every wedding involves meeting the couple at least twice, not to forget numerous telephonic conversations before I am on board as a photographer.
While most people are celebrating during weddings, my shutters are working throughout to capture the most special moments of someone’s life. Contrary to what is believed, my work mostly begins when the wedding is over. As i march myself into postproduction. For every hour of photography time, I invest 5 hours of postproduction.
Shooting weddings also entails me researching perfect themes, album design, printing, camera & computer upkeep, networking with clients, marketing my business over social media and blogging, bookkeeping taxes, not to miss planning and ensuring that every output is up to the mark. When you break things down you will understand it’s a full time job. Once the big picture is over, it involves me sharing every single photographic adventure through my social media platforms. And then looking forward to new ventures!
This post will be incomplete if I only talk about half the secret. Yes I don’t deny the fact that there are good sides to living your life your way. My days are not mechanical, there are times when I take the time off, wake up when I feel like, enjoy the good weather, watch late night movies during weekdays, enjoy a good cup of coffee at my favorite cafe just when I feel like. No boss to sanction my leaves, no targets to chase and no KRAs to complete. And I enjoy it.
Being a wedding photographer is rewarding, but also a tremendous amount of work but, very honestly – I won’t have it any other way. I love what I do and nothing will ever bring me the satisfaction that I get every time I capture a perfect shot. Cheese.