Dennis Walker, 52/ EMPLOYER: Fred Fox Photography and Video/ SALARY: $300-plus per wedding
How did you get involved in photography?
I was a catalog photographer downtown at Bennett Brothers; it’s a huge wholesale house, kind of an upscale Service Merchandise. I served as an apprentice for three years. I was in complete charge of their catalog for 12 years. Then I got married and wanted to make some extra money, so I started moonlighting shooting weddings for Fred Fox. I’ve been with the company since 1972. I started as an independent contractor–our photographers are freelancers. Fred Foxliked my work and wanted me to start training his other photographers. He made me a salary offer in 1979. I work full time for the studio now.
Why did you specialize in weddings?
It’s the most fun thing in the world; you’re always going to a party where people are happy. It’s like a play–people are trying to figure out their parts. I help them and try to make their jobs easier. It might be showing a 16-year-old how to usher. I’m without a doubt the bride’s best friend. I’m the only service hired who’s with her the entire day. If she needs gum, a bobby pin, a needle and thread, an aspirin, I’ll have it.
What is your educational background?
I’ve been to hundreds of professional seminars, which is where I got the bulk of my training. I learned large format cameras first, before I learned smaller formats like 35 mm. That’s really the best way to learn. When you’re a wedding photographer you find yourself in every kind of lighting situation. And everything is portable. I have to know how I’m going to light a room when I walk in. You have to be able to pull upon the technical knowledge all the time.
Describe an average day.
It’s a very long day. It depends on what time I need to leave the bride’s houseto get to the church. For instance, if the ceremony begins at 3 p.m. I’ll want the bride ready at home with the bridal party at noon. If she doesn’t want that much creativity it could be a half hour later.The groom should be ready at the church 45 minutes before the ceremony.
You have to remember you’re documenting the event, capturing not only what’s happening at the altar but you have to look into the eyes of the parents, of the little kids in front of the church, too. In Chicago, the bride usually doesn’t want the groom to see her prior to the wedding. And if a photographer misses the expression on the groom’s face when he sees his bride for the first time, he’s missing the most important moment of the day. I use a 300 mm lens to get close-ups of the emotions people are having during the ceremony. You’re making time just stop.
After the ceremony, I usually do formals of the families. That takes about 20 minutes. Then I might go to a park if there’s time; it’s usually the bride’s choice. I try to get to the reception early to set up a portable studio with soft lighting, hand-painted backgrounds. I do portraits of the bride and groom before the cocktail hour starts. During the cocktail hour I go after key family members–grandparents, for instance.
Then around 7:30 p.m. the bride and groom are introduced into the reception area with the bridal party and the parents. I photograph them entering the room, making their toasts, saying the prayer. Every wedding is different and has a few little twists and turns you have to be ready for. You can’t leave for a second because something could happen and you’ll miss it.
I also take traditional pictures like the first dance, cutting the cake, the bride dancing with her fatherand tossing the bouquet and garter. .
What’s the best thing about your job?
When I’ve been to a wedding where there are previous brides I’ve photographed. There’s no greater feeling of accomplishment than when you know someone has gone out on a limb to recommend you.
What do you like least?
When I can’t do the kind of job I’d like to do because there’s not a good schedule that will let good pictures be taken. If the bride and groom haven’t planned [accurately] for pictures–if they’re just squeezing you in–you can’t take really good pictures.
What three attributes are essential to doing your job well?
First, you really have to care–not only about the bride and groom , but enough to study photography and get up to the level where you can do anything you’re asked to do. Second, speed is very important because people don’t want to stand around all day waiting for pictures to be taken. And third, you have to be the kind of photographer who is not going to bother people, who is not going to interfere with the flow of the day
What’s next for you?
I want to keep teaching photographers and seeing young photographers develop. Every Monday night we have a seminar; we’re constantly training our photographers, and when our photographers are good enough they become teachers.
More Top Picks Fans Outdoor
What advice would you give to people interested in this field?
You have to be willing to give up a lot of your social life. Saturday is the main day you have to be free. You have to get up and plan the entire day around that wedding. If you’re late all hell breaks loose and they’ll hold it against you all day long.
———–
E-mail [email protected]