Right now, I am sitting in a pub in Ludington, Michigan enjoying a fine hand-crafted stout. In fact, I am enjoying my second fine hand-crafted stout and thinking about where I was half an hour ago.
I had the pleasure of meeting Brad Reed of Todd and Brad Reed Photography. Brad is the son in the father-son business and, combined, are two of the most talented landscape and nature photographers around.
I’ve often wished I had the patience to be a renowned landscape photographer such as the Reeds, John Shaw, Moose Peterson, and more. Alas, although I have the technical side of it nailed down and have no problems with the composition and artistic side, what I am missing is the “x-factor” – that special, intangible element deep in the soul of the landscape shooter that lets them stay out alone for days on end to capture that one special frame. To wait until the light and timing is perfect and click the shutter. Just once.
But, before you get the wrong impression that I am regretful or upset, let me assure you that I am not.
I love shooting weddings. The joy, the pomp, there ceremony… all come together for a special instant in time. For those of us who shoot weddings professionally, there is also that “x-factor” that draws us in. It’s the source of the passion we find in being a part of a couple’s special day.
So what’s the point of this? I’m often asked why someone should hire a professional wedding photographer who will cost thousands of dollars instead of the “guy” off craigslist that is offering to shoot a wedding for a couple of hundred dollars. There are a lot of answers about equipment, insurance, etc., but I think I finally have figured it out; we’ve discovered that “x-factor” and use it to ignite the passion in what we do. We couldn’t do what we do without it and I don’t think I would even want to try.
