How to become a successful wedding photographer

How To Become a Successful
Wedding Photographer

How to Start

1. Ask to shoot a friend or relatives wedding.
2. Approach a professional wedding photographer and offer to assist. What have you got to lose ? - They can only say no.
3. For the first couple of weddings you do, offer to do them for free. Explain to the couple that you are new to this and that you may make some mistakes. Show them other non-wedding photos you have taken, so they can see you are competent. Remember everyone is on a budget these days, so some couple may be very grateful for this offer. If it is taken up it helps build up your portfolio which you can then show to potential paying clients.

Pre-Shoot Preparation

1. If possible visit the location and prepare a list of shots - include group shots, bride and groom, arrival shots etc.
2. Prepare a list of back-up shots in case of bad weather.
3. Clean and Test all of your equipment. Make sure you are familiar with how it all works. You don't want to be messing about with a ISO setting with the bride and groom standing there waiting.

The Wedding Day

1. Ask before-hand to shoot the bride getting ready for her big day. These make for extra-special shots that not many wedding photographers think of taking.
2. Get yourself in a good position to take the arrival shots. A good shot here is the father with the bride before he gives her away.
3. Keep your pre-prepared shot list with you. This will help you if you become nervous and forget what you are supposed to be doing. If when you prepare this list you add type of lens to each shot, possible ISO setting, F-stop, shutter speed etc it will become invaluable during the pressure of the day.

After the Big Day

1. Your work doesn't stop after the day of the wedding. There are the contact sheets to produce, so the married couple can choose wish pictures they like the best.
2. An idea here is to put this on a web site, so all their friends and family can see. This may help increase your sales as more people are viewing the pictures.

Final Thoughts

1. The day itself will be nerve-wrecking, but try to have some fun. If you are relaxed (even outwardly) your subjects will feel at ease too making for better shots.
2. Learn which style of wedding photography you would like to specialize in. Reportage, traditional, black and white. Use your first couple of weddings to experiment. Talk with the couple beforehand to see which style they would be happy with. However better results are seen by not mixing styles, but just sticking with one.