Trends vs. Classic + Good vs. Trying to be good...

So, to preface this post, I want all to know that I'm an open book. As a business owner and an artist, I want to be transparent to my audience. I tell it just like it is. With that said, this post may show my rear-end a bit, figuratively speaking...but its for the greater good.

Its hard when you're starting out in this industry because, these days, everyone is a photographer. Oh, you've got an SLR, yeah it only has autofocus, but you've shot a wedding for your second cousin's sister-in-law, you know what you're doing. You've got a pirated version of photoshop and a body with a few nice lenses, and you get paid, thats all there is to it right? Well, no. BUT, everyone has to start somewhere.

Owning a legitimate business and being successful is much, much more than that. This post isn't going to be about the grounds I have based my success on, but rather on the trends in photography and how they compare, visually to the classic, timeless images that I strive to capture. AND, how to spot a newbie from a mile away. (P.S. I'm still a newbie, but look how far I've come!!)

Now-a-days people are into everything vintage, and I'm guilty too...don't hide it at all. But textures and old grungy vintage tones on my wedding photos isn't exactly what I'm going for. People like to see an image in black and white with a flower in a pop of color, but let me tell you, that's a photography faux-pas much like wearing a white dress to a wedding when you're not the bride, its tacky. Wanna get a better angle on a shot, just tilt the camera and align the frame diagonally, because every couple wants their wedding images to look crooked in a picture frame, duh. eee, yikes.

Ok, so this may help those of you just starting out in this business, or it may help prospective clients who are researching photographers currently.  Also, here is a link to a blog called Take off your mommy goggles, that shows similar images and posts on related subjects. Its worth a gander, if not for anything other than a good laugh. http://www.takeoffyourmommygoggles.com/

Below are some visuals to please your eyes. 

These are all my own images.

The fake blurred background.

The over obnoxious "watermark" logo.

Not only is this not in focus, its also, uhh sideways. haha

This is classic newbie style. I think the thought here is 'put a new twist on an old classic' boo.

Hues, desaturations, and textures galore!!

Look at that selective color, baby!!

Thankfully none of these images were used for paying clients. The wedding images were a paid job, but the images weren't the only of that specific shot in the collection.
I hope you garner some sort of information and growth from this post, I'd love to here your comments!!!

NOW, for the good stuff! And I call it good stuff because I am so proud to show it, because, after all, look how far I have come!
Here are some examples of a timeless, classic approach, that will never go out of style. Why? Because it's genuine, I haven't added anything to the image, it is a documentation of that very moment!!