Will wedding OCF become a bit samey?

[FlyTVR]

I've noticed more and more wedding togs seem to be using off camera flash (with softboxes etc).

Firstly, there are a few TPers that do this really well - and I guess have set the path for others. I'm referring to those shots where the flash is used to overpower the sun and give a night time effect.


I'm probably going to get shot down here, but do you think that ocf may get a little samey - a bit like tilted shots?

 

[Richard King]

its another technique in the bag, along with using reflectors, speed posing and the like. Most weddings are prety fluid in terns of light, subjects, venues etc.. so one technique wont make a photographer. The things that make the most difference to a shoot are

1. willingness of couple / subjects to join in and allow the time for the photographer to be creative
2. A superb venue(s)
3. A photogenic couple
4. Time

With all the time in the world, we could be a lot more creative. When we have harsh time constraints, then with all the will in the world, setting up a three flash perfectly balanced or artistic shot is never going to happen

For what its worth, we try something new in each wedding.. evaluate it afterwards, and if its a goer, we tune and tune and tune it in the following weddings

 

[Michael Sewell]

Not sure it can be "Samey", as every wedding has far too many variables to come into the context of "samey". Different couples, venues, weather, seasons etc, all add to the mix.
Personally, I try very hard to come up with something new for each couple. The only thing is, subsequent couples will often say "Can we have the same shot you did at ..." so from that point, yes, I suppose it can become "samey" when couples are asking for shots taken at previous weddings to be duplicated.
I try very hard to avoid it, as my enjoyment comes from being creative and introducing something new, not recycling old successes.

 

[spxxxx]

It is just something else to offer alongside the traditional .... something that has become more doable in recent years

What seems samey to you may be seen as consistency to clients - and to them it is new and of them - so a one off.

I agree with Michael ... you get asked by couples for certain shots .. and maybe one of the reasons they hired you

 

[AliB]

Wedding photographers are hired on the strength of their portfolio so if OCF is part of it then that's part of what you are hired for.

I now have a standard 25 shots for bridal prep and if I shoot the same 25 shots on each wedding it's because it's what I'm expected to do.