This past weekend, we have the pleasure of once again being an exhibitor at the Wendy’s Bridal Expo, which is why I am writing this. Obviously expos are a great way for couples to learn about all aspects of what is available out there for weddings. However, in some cases I think that brides are looking more at the bottom line and not the quality of the products.

While at the show and as time allowed, I took some time to walk around and view what some of the other photographers were displaying. Images that in most cases, we feel are our best images (yes, I’m guilty of that as well). The one thing that disturbed me the most was the overall poor work that was out there and what really surprised me the most was the poor cropping exhibited by so many photographers. Maybe I am old school but to show group shots where the subject have been cropped off at the ankles is a complete no-no in professional photography and definitely shows a lack of true training. Little details like the cropping make the difference between just a professional photographer and an outstanding professional photographer, and outstanding wedding images.

Some people may say that I am simply being over critical of what my competition is doing but the reality is many don’t need to be photographers with the mistakes I saw. Sure I have 40 years of professional wedding photography experience and have a Master of Photography degree, so maybe I am a bit more critical but I also believe in making the art of photography better. For couples to put up with such fundamental mistakes is simply appalling to me. I hope that if you are a bride or groom with an upcoming wedding that you take the time to closely look at a photographers work before selecting them and not simply just the cost.

Images from the wedding of April Hester and Matthew Hemmer.