Originally posted by BruceBanner But now I might have to develop some consistency from a job or workflow/presentation perspective. Even framing or bordering every shot with the same thickness and colour of bordering might bring out that kinda consistency I think some of my work may need.
If you want to take people's money for your photography, the consistency in what you capture and create is important. But beyond you is who is buying your work and what they seek that must be considered when choosing which direction to head. PP is just a part of creating the end product.
Flickr is a great resource to find very average amateur wedding photographers and if I was on Facebook I bet that's another resource to find them too. A lot of these people can buy stuff and take photos, but what you're going to need to be successful is the style that sets you apart from everyone else. Sadly there are many 'pro wedding photographers' who are, quite simply, terrible. And when you put yourself into the shoes of the bride and groom and their family having a great time on their special day, it's particularly sad to think in years to come all they will have is a set of snapshots, not a moment created by an artist aiming to give of themselves for the people who are paying them. That's just me ranting as there's really great wedding photographers, competent wedding photographers, and some people who should not be paid for their work. Check out some examples of that last group here:
You Are Not A Photographer - Exposing Fauxtographers Since 2011 and here:
So, You think you're a photographer - Home | Facebook
I know a bloke via Flickr who's a wedding photographer professionally, but his landscape images are where his passion is. One style earns him money, the other is what he wants to do though I'm not sure if it's become a part of his income stream. Maybe it has as he/they have been published several times. Both Dylan and Marianne are very accomplished photographers, here's their (hubby & wife) website:
Everlook Photography -- Landscape photography by Dylan Toh and Marianne Lim They're based in Adelaide.
If you go to their blog you'll see they're doing weddings, and for each wedding there's not necessarily the same style in each image, and if you go through the wedding examples you'll see there's a variety of styles being provided to the couples. This is consistent with the photographer for my wedding, there was B&W and a variety of styles, but maybe this is also to do with putting options out to the customer? I don't know, I"m not a wedding photographer or a pro photographer in any other sense. But what you see and what your client wants needs to align to be successful, so how do you ensure you know what it is they want?
By now you will have noticed I'm trying to write another novel, so before I do this I will provide you with a link to one of my 'Flickr contacts'. I don't know him but saw his images as a re imagining or re-capturing of some classic historical artwork, liked what I saw so started following him (FYI he used to shoot Pentax). He too has been published many times and his style is much more consistent:
Bill Gekas | Flickr Bill is in Melbourne.
So there's two opposites in a way and both are being recognised for their work.
There's plenty of styles of imagery to research and study and what you create should be your style, whatever that will be, but maybe it's not necessary to lock into a style if something more flexible generates business for you. Especially as what you do to earn money versus what you do for the love of photography can potentially be different.
I recall last week I posted a link for the PP thread to the Photomorphis people, specifically Doug Landreth. His style is unique and I like it though I don't want to become a Doug Landreth clone. I will use his work as inspiration though. And whilst there's plenty of photography books out there I recommend you buy yourself a DVD boxset from the BBC called the Genius of Photography:
BBC - Photography - Genius of Photography - Homepage
You can watch it here:
The Genius Of Photography : BBC : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive but the resolution is cr*p so I recommend you keep an eye out for the disc version, here's an example on ebay:
THE GENIUS OF PHOTOGRAPHY - BBC PRODUCTION - DVD | eBay
TL;DR - Aim to develop your own style if you want to become known and specialise in a specific style of imagery, but don't sweat on it if you're a consistently good photographer, as you can still make it work professionally and do your own thing in your own time.
Hope my 2c was worthwhile.
Tas
PS, I forgot to mention, don't waste your time with adding borders to your photos. They can look okay online in the right context but beyond that they're a bit naff (as the British might say).