I've modeled my wedding business and photography career on one simple premise: Personality, Photography & Price. In that order.
When I tell most people this, I can see the first thing they think of is "Why is price last", you must be expensive and trying to hide it. Well, there is a shred of truth in that, but let me explain. Something I have discovered doing wedding photography and speaking with other photographers in and around Raleigh is "price does not matter if you didn't have a great experience".
It's an experience? Wait... can you explain? Of course I can.
I've found my photography really spoke to me (and others) when I let my personality come thru in my work. Personality is the most important thing in a photographer because of this. Everyone of my clients have to enjoy my presence on their wedding day. On your big day, emotions can run high, sometimes there is stress and, thru it all, I am there. I would be doing myself and my clients a huge disservice if I didn't talk with them about personality. My photography depends on capturing you, the real you, on your wedding day and if our personalities do not mesh, then the photography will suffer because your guard is up. With that in mind, if you don't get the photography you want, does price really matter at that point?
This is what I refer to as the experience. I want my clients to be happy that I'm there as part of their wedding day. Many times, I am there longer then anyone else who is not family (and osmetimes longer then family) so it's really important, to me, that you enjoy having me there.
The reason I have this on my about me page is, well, because I feel very strongly on this subject and that's really me!
I've lived in Raleigh since 1976 and have watched this town really evolve into a thriving metropolis. I studied cinematography & photography in high school and, as life always likes a good curve ball, I got into the music business. As it turns out though, I got a real world education on using lighting to create drama, mood and how to evoke emotion through color, intensity and shape. From there I continually dabbled in photography but didn't pursue it professionally until I found out my wife was pregnant with our first child. The though of being a dad really kindled the passion I had for documenting my life, and the lives of others, as I saw it. I wanted to be able to show my little girl, once she grew up, how I lived, loved and saw the world... someone told me it was me wanting to leave a legacy, and I have to agree, that's indeed what I wanted.
I quickly grew frustrated with digital cameras (point and shoots) so I called on the photographer who captured my wedding for a favor - help me buy a decent camera. Well, sticker shock didn't quite cover it when I saw the price tags on professional photography equipment, but I knew what I wanted and made the leap. About a month after getting the camera, playing with it, I found I needed more... so I upgraded. During this time, I would send the occasional photograph to my, now, mentor and he would critique me. Not long after I upgraded, he got into a bind and needed someone to photograph a magazine story. I was shocked and honored all at the same time. I went out, did the shoot and got published the next month. 9 months after that, I was asked to be the Chief of Photography for Cary Magazine. I accepted the position with the blessing and wisdom of my mentor and photographed every aspect of the magazine, from food to products to portraits for the next year.
During this time I was also started working with my mentor, and others, in wedding photography. To make a long story even longer, my first solo wedding was for a great couple who's chosen photographer had a family emergency. After the wedding, I was hooked, permanently, on wedding photography. The emotions, the beauty (and the wedding cake) all make see so excited to have the opportunity to give someone a gift of their life through my eyes.
I have a beautiful wife, Ginger Mullins, who I work occasionally with as she is a cosmetologist who specializes in bridal hair & makeup and we have two beautiful children, Holland and Hudson.
by Brian Mullins
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