Scottish Wedding Event

For the past few weeks I have been busy preparing for my first major wedding show, the Scotland Exclusive Wedding Event set in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Being my first occasion to display myself before the public, as it were, I was keen to leave a unique and professional impression, so I built the displays myself, including lighting, monitor screen, leaflet dispenser and even a cupboard to hide away personal items. The large size prints were top quality and a good friend completed the effect with a display of flowers that caught the attention of many visitors.


The two day event was very tiring. Such is the nature of the day that there was almost no time for getting a snack or even having a seat. We lasted each day on a bottle of water and some hastily scoffed snacks. As to the visitors, we had a very good reaction. There were 12 other photographers at the event (about 120 exhibitors in all) and, due to the layout, I was the last photographer to be seen. This meant that visitors were rather weary of speaking by the time they got to me but then, I would have been their last memory of a photographer. Even so, I had good feedback and many people filled in enquiry forms (most visitors are there to get information and generally book afterwards). The other exhibitors were very friendly which helped to make the whole event quite fun.


One thing I learnt was that I get a very warped view of wedding photography from the internet. Due to increased competition, many well established photographers fight back with scaremongering tactics, insisting that customers are dicing with death if they choose photographers that are not a member of some society, or suicidal if they're not insured, and as to the amateurish equipment, just don't go there! I was all set to face potential clients armed with these probing questions. As it turned out, not on person brought up any of these subjects. At the end of the day, couples want to know what your photos look like, how much you cost, what do they get and are you available. That's the thing about wedding photography; it's not rocket science and anyone can do it. It's just that some are better than others.


So thanks to everyone who visited my stand and left positive comments. I am most humbled and grateful. Big kudos goes to Steve of SMK Photographics who, while not having a stand there himself (he's at the SECC next week), stopped by for a chat and was very complimentary about my stand and work and wished me all the best. That is a sign of true professionalism.

Of course, the other big thanks goes to my wife, Elaine, who's smile and good nature stopped passers-by who would normally have ignored the shifty looking character next to her.