What Makes a Great Image? Part II

A short time ago I published a post showing a series of "great images".  In Advanced Wedding Photographers I had asked the members to share what they considered their strongest images...

"Take a look at your best images for the past year and show us your favorite. Pick out that one image that would get you hired..."

I thought I would get a lot of classic solid portraiture.  Advanced Wedding Photographers is a closed group with just under 500 members, all very talented artists. I want to share a few more images today, because each time more are posted, I'm reminded that the definition of a "great image" isn't always about photographic technique, but timing.

At the time of my original request, I had forgotten about images that simply capture emotion. I forgot about moments that show a little of the soul of the photographer as well as the subjects. I also forgot about humor as a marketing tool. A big thanks to these artists for sharing some of their favorites, along with the reasons why.

Mark and Tiffani Dhooge: "This is a recent wedding that I have received a ton of feedback about. It's not my favorite one but it seems to be theirs."

Tony Hart: "Probably this one. It encapsulates my work:"

Melani Lust: "Brides love this one & mention it a lot when they are interviewing me."

Chris Fawkes: "This is one I like from a rainy day wedding back in 2010,"

Howie Hartman: "Only because it took too many tries to get it just right, with the cars and all. 2.5-second exposure."

Ruth McConnell Trevaskis: "I forgot about this one. My country brides love it."

Wendy Stubbs: "It never fails, shots that I don't find to be my best are the ones that brides ask for and are their favorites... like this one"

Steve Neilson: "This image has single-handedly brought in more business than all other images combined. I use it for everything now. Every bride wants it. People know us around the world for this image. I have way more beautiful images...but you have to promote the ones brides like.

Kevin Mullins: "This is the photo that most of my brides stop and take a moment to look over.

Each image is a reminder that you need to know the rules before you can break them. It's also a great reminder that every client sees something different in a "great" image - there's something in each photograph here that got a client to stop and look at it just a little longer.

It's also a great reminder that a wedding photographer's job is about storytelling and timing, just as much as it is about composition and exposure.  Sometimes, as my old buddy, Dean Collins, used to say, "Beauty is in the eyes of the checkbook holder!"