How I Accidentally Became a Wedding Photographer (50 Years Ago)

[Tark]

A little story from half a century ago, back when I was trying to break into wedding photography.

I didn’t have a portfolio, and nobody was going to hire a bloke with nothing to show, so I did what any desperate, hungry, slightly reckless young photographer might do: I ‘eye‑dropped’ in on public‑garden weddings. I’d stand well back — fifty metres or more — with a 400mm lens and quietly shoot the ceremony from the sidelines.

After a few of these covert exercises, I had enough material to start shaping a portfolio. In one memorable case, the hired photographer was so hopeless that the couple ended up buying most of my shots instead. That was the moment I realised I might actually have something to offer.

After a handful more of these long‑range practice runs — church steps, parks, anywhere public — I finally felt ready to hang out my shingle. And it worked. It turned into a very successful business.

Was it ethical? By today’s standards, probably not. Even back then it was a bit cheeky. But it was fifty years ago, and it was the only way I could see to get started. And in the end, the couples got better photos, and I got a career. Sometimes the path in is… unconventional

 

[mmerig]

About 60 years ago, I was an "innocent bystander" to my father's experience in wedding photography. One of his friends was a professional photographer (newspaper freelancer I think) and he helped my dad get started. He stuck with it for a while, but it was a side hustle so not a big financial incentive, and he moved on to other fun stuff. I have a dim memory of him going to a Beach Boy's thing.

None of that rubbed-off on me. It is very difficult for me to take a picture of a person or people. But two friends wanted me to take their wedding picture -- just one, on a 4 by 5. That was fun for all of us minimalists.

A local back-hoe operator around here got his start by just saying "I can run a back-hoe". He'd work a job for a while, very slowly and clumsily, but eventually, after being fired a few times, became good enough to hold onto a job as long as anyone else. On the job training at its purest.

 

[Tark]

Well your dad running off to a beach boys thing (Southern California in the 60's?) to laze in the sun and chase girls must have been more fun than shooting weddings! I'm glad to hear that none of it rubbed off on you - shooting people is no cake walk either!

 

[koraks]

Was it ethical? By today’s standards, probably not.

Yeah, I was going to say that. Perhaps legally speaking it would have been OK if the weddings took place in public space, although even that is doubtful in today's legal climate. Ethically speaking, I'd consider this really, really iffy and I think if this was attempted today, the odds of getting punched in the face would be pretty big.

Sometimes the path in is… unconventional

There's that, too. I'm happy for you that you were successful and I hope your work has been to your and your clients' satisfaction. Thanks for sharing your story!

 

[Don_ih]

Was it ethical?

If you were offering the photos you took to the wedding party for sale (or even for free), it was not ethical in a professional sense. You were being a leech. But in terms of a broader view, you weren't doing anything particularly immoral. That the people in the wedding may not like you taking photos doesn't make it immoral. The backhoe operator, on the other hand, was, since he was endangering other people by being incompetent while pretending he was fully trained.

 

[Tark]

Yeah, I was going to say that. Perhaps legally speaking it would have been OK if the weddings took place in public space, although even that is doubtful in today's legal climate. Ethically speaking, I'd consider this really, really iffy and I think if this was attempted today, the odds of getting punched in the face would be pretty big.


There's that, too. I'm happy for you that you were successful and I hope your work has been to your and your clients' satisfaction. Thanks for sharing your story!

Thanks, Korak – fair call.

If someone tried this today, they’d probably be wearing a 400mm-shaped bruise before they got the lens cap off. Differentera, different expectations, ad I wouldn’t dream of doing it now.

Back then it was more a caseof a young bloke trying to find a way in without any real roadmap. No malice, no interference, just standing well back and learning the craft the only way I could at the time.

I appreciate you taking it in the spirit intended – a little slice of history, not a how-to-do guide for the present day.

 

[Tark]

If you were offering the photos you took to the wedding party for sale (or even for free), it was not ethical in a professional sense. You were being a leech. But in terms of a broader view, you weren't doing anything particularly immoral. That the people in the wedding may not like you taking photos doesn't make it immoral. The backhoe operator, on the other hand, was, since he was endangering other people by being incompetent while pretending he was fully trained.

Don, I hear you.

From a professional-standards point of view, it was definitely outside the lines – no argument there. I wasn’t trying to undercut anyone or pretend to be part of the hired crew; I was just a kid with a long lens, standing well back, trying to build enough of a portfolio to get legitimate work.

And you’re right: the backhoe example is a different beast entirely. Nobody was at risk from me quietly taking a few frames from fifty metres away. At worst, someone wondered who the bloke with the telephoto was.

It was a different time, and I’ve always looked back on it as a slightly cheeky stepping stone rather than a model of professional conduct.

 

[koraks]

Yeah, no worries; I think what you emphasize and what I understand is that this should be understood within the context of the time (and place) in which you did this. And of course there's always the personal aspect to it, in that all of us will have a different set of motivations and considerations upon which we base the ultimate call we make.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Was it ethical?

I usually take the hard line as far as ethics are concerned, so, to my great surprise, I'm going to say you're in the clear, as long as you stuck to public places and if you did the photos in order to build a portfolio and not with the intent of selling them.

A wedding is an interesting example because, in many ways, once the actual, private, ceremony is done, it becomes a very public event. I can't see how you can have any expectation of privacy if you're going to drive out in a white luxury Limousine with flowers on its top, "Love Forever" banners on its side and tin cans attached to its rear, with a following motorcade that doesn't stop honking for the next 15 miles.

By today’s standards, probably not.

I don't think it's today's standards as much as today's technology. Fifty years ago, a portfolio was exactly what the word said it was: a folio you carried, an actual object you'd only show to prospective clients.

Today, your portfolio is on your website and on Instagram, for the world to see, including the bride, groom and wedding party, as well as the photographer who was actually paid to do the work (wait to see the comments he or she will leave on your Insta posts !). If this were the case, I would have a bit more problems giving you the thumbs up, ethics-wise.

 

[foc]

Back in 1984 I assisted at my first wedding with a local professional. He knew that I would branch out later on my own, as I told him and besides it was common at the time.

However if any one tried to duplicate his shot , he would go berserk. Such outbursts didn't do him any favours with the bridal couple. At that time the professional photographer called all the shots and the bridal couple did it his way only. Personally I thought it was too strict a set up and didn't allow for any spontaneity.

When it came to my time to set myself up, I had a chat with the bride and she recommended me to a few of her friends. I was lucky and quickly built up a portfolio.

In the 35 years since I always encouraged guests to take photos along side me. It became a unique selling point and great word of mouth credibility.

 

[MattKing]

If there was any ethical breach - which I doubt - it was probably in respect of the photographers hired, not the participants themselves.
There are a few places around this area that are frequently used to photograph wedding parties - Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver being a prime example - and the tourists and other people around often snap photos of the wedding parties, in all their finery.
I have a ~50 year experience of my own that may be the polar opposite of yours. I think I've shared this previously here.
My father and I were at Queen Elizabeth park on a busy spring Saturday. I can't remember why we were there - it is a great place to walk anyways - but I had my then relatively new Mamiya C330 with me in case any photographic opportunities presented themselves. By that time I had been photographing for many years, but had just recently started photographing weddings part time, while attending UBC as a student in the Physics department.
A young couple wearing what appeared to be formal wear and worried expressions approached us and asked if we were wedding photographers. My dad said that I photographed weddings and I guess my camera gave at least the impression he might be right .
Anyways, the couple had just completed the ceremony in their very small wedding, and had come to the park because the arrangement they had made was for a professional photographer to meet them there and take a few wedding photos for them. Apparently, they had been stood up by the photographer, and they needed photographic help.
I had film with me, and was happy to help.
We exchanged contact details, and as I thought it was good karma, I did the photography, had the negatives developed and proofs prepared at my very good pro lab and gave them to them at essentially my cost.
I figured it was good karma, and given the disappointment they had already experienced, they deserved a break.
I don't know whether I ever got any referral business from them later, but I hope they are still enjoying the photos.