I got the great news today that I was accepted into the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA)!
Over the past year a few brides have asked me if I was a member and the honest truth is that I had never applied. There are a lot of advantages of membership so during the busy wedding season I had set a goal of applying to the WPJA before the end of year. Now, you don’t just join the WPJA. You apply and then they decide if you join or not, so I was really happy to get an acceptance email from them this morning. The WPJA is notoriously strict in it’s membership and strives to represent the “elite” of wedding photographers from all over the photojournalism world.
This is how the WPJA describes itself:
Leading the way in Wedding Photojournalism, WPJA represents the most discriminating talent around the world technically, creatively and visually. Qualified members hold industry-leading standards, skills and business integrity.
The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA), an International, membership-based organization, represents professional photographers skilled in the documentation of weddings and events in a candid, unobtrusive style. The WPJA was founded to uphold excellence in the area of wedding photojournalism.
Candid. Unobtrusive.
If there’s anything we get complimented about, it’s how laid back and easy we are to work with. That’s because, as much as possible, we try to capture the candid shots in the most unobtrusive way possible. The moment your photographer starts bossing you around it’s no longer your day. I can’t tell you how many times people have accidentally walked in front of the camera and then apologized. Or they wait until they think it’s safe to pass. But I always smile and tell them, “Don’t worry! Just ignore us. Pretent we’re not there.” And every time I say it, I truly mean it! It doesn’t take but a few minutes for us to blend into the scenery. And people get it, and they appreciate it.
But my favorite is when I’m capturing a pensive moment or a serene scene and the person you’re shooting sees you and tries to “get out of the way” saying, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin the shot.” I look them all funny and say, “But you were the shot!” They usually let out a chuckle, and now they get it too.
Your wedding day is not about your photographer, it’s about you!
Ben
16 Comments
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Ben, big congratulations on the WPJA acceptance!!
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Congratulations Ben! That is wonderful!!!
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Thanks Mike and Katie!
My wife asked me if I was going to take myself to Houston’s to celebrate. It’s tempting.
Ben
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Congratulations!!
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BIG HUGE CONGRATS, Ben
We are sooo happy for you!
And if its the same Houston’s that we like, I say go for it!!
Joy (and Garrett and Graycen)
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I would! mmm….good french fries…ribs….are you getting more tempted!??!!
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Hey, why dont we all just take Ben to Houstons?!! That would be fun! I havent been to a Houstons in years!!
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Congratualtions! That’s a milestone that I hope you can only build upon. Hope to be there too someday! Great job! ++
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Congrats Ben – that is awesome! Your work is great and you definitely deserve it. It was good seeing you again in TN.
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Congratulations on your acceptance into the WPJA! It must be very exciting for you to be recognized by such an association! ++
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That’s awesome. WPJA will do wonders for your business. Awesome network and a great mark of distinction.
Good Luck++
Michael
http://mccrystal/blogspot.com
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Thanks so much everybody. Except Katie, you’re cruel!
Ben
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Big congrats. Having attended weddings with you, I can say you’re a true PJ (if I know what that means!)
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Way to go Ben! I knew you were a shoe in. Your work is just too great! Glad to have you as a fellow member. Keep up the awesome work
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Ruth, Ruth, Ruth! You gotta come shoot with me! We’ll work it out on of these days. Between you and TimCo I’m starting to feel left out! Talk to you soon!
Ben
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congrats on your accomplishment!