How I got started as a wedding photographer January 10,2007
People sometimes ask me, "how did you get started in wedding photography?"
A true story...
It was 1996 and a good friend was getting married. Back then, I only photographed for magazine and advertising clients. I was also part of the wedding party, so my friend hired a prominent Honolulu wedding photographer to shoot his wedding.
Well, the wedding day arrived and to my friend and his wife's dismay, they quickly realized their choice of a photographer may not have been the wisest. Most of the photos were over posed and unnatural. As the day progressed, the photographer was more "prominent" than expected, planting his tripod in the middle of the dance floor throughout the entire reception. He even directed and set up everything, like it was his day.
I told my friend at the end of the night, "As long as I live, I'll NEVER photograph weddings. Can you believe the way that guy worked?" So I went on my way and continued to work as a photojournalist. Whenever someone would ask me to photograph their wedding, I'd just say no.
Fast forward to 1999. I received a call from one of the illustrators of the cartoon, South Park. She was getting married on Kauai and asked me if I'd shoot her wedding. I gave her my usual reply. "Yes, we know you're not a wedding photographer" she said. "The reason we're asking you is because we saw the work you did for Coastal Living Magazine. We loved the way you tell stories with your photographs. Can you photograph our wedding like a magazine story?"
"Well sure... I can do that."
Afterwards, I realized that wedding photography doesn't have to be boring and cheesy. It can be fun, exciting and romantic! Since that day on Kauai, weddings have been a big part of what I do. I feel so lucky to be a part of so many.
David Murphey
People sometimes ask me, "how did you get started in wedding photography?"
A true story...
It was 1996 and a good friend was getting married. Back then, I only photographed for magazine and advertising clients. I was also part of the wedding party, so my friend hired a prominent Honolulu wedding photographer to shoot his wedding.
Well, the wedding day arrived and to my friend and his wife's dismay, they quickly realized their choice of a photographer may not have been the wisest. Most of the photos were over posed and unnatural. As the day progressed, the photographer was more "prominent" than expected, planting his tripod in the middle of the dance floor throughout the entire reception. He even directed and set up everything, like it was his day.
I told my friend at the end of the night, "As long as I live, I'll NEVER photograph weddings. Can you believe the way that guy worked?" So I went on my way and continued to work as a photojournalist. Whenever someone would ask me to photograph their wedding, I'd just say no.
Fast forward to 1999. I received a call from one of the illustrators of the cartoon, South Park. She was getting married on Kauai and asked me if I'd shoot her wedding. I gave her my usual reply. "Yes, we know you're not a wedding photographer" she said. "The reason we're asking you is because we saw the work you did for Coastal Living Magazine. We loved the way you tell stories with your photographs. Can you photograph our wedding like a magazine story?"
"Well sure... I can do that."
Afterwards, I realized that wedding photography doesn't have to be boring and cheesy. It can be fun, exciting and romantic! Since that day on Kauai, weddings have been a big part of what I do. I feel so lucky to be a part of so many.
David Murphey
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