Wedding photography is said to be one of the most difficult of all the photography specialties. How do I build my wedding portfolio? How can I break in to the highly competitive wedding industry? Do I assist another photographer for a couple years first to get experience? Do I need to go to school? Am I doing this for the money or do I really like weddings?

Things have changed enormously in regards to wedding photography. Traditional Wedding Photography, just like film photography, are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Some argue that Traditional Wedding Photography is here to stay and “timeless.” 8-track tapes are still “timeless”, right?

Today we hear many buzz words like wedding photojournalism, wedding documentary or lifestyle wedding photography. With that, there are many ways to get started in your adventure of becoming a wedding photographer. Most will assist, 2nd shoot and then start their own businesses. Some go to school for photography and decide to shoot weddings. Others will cross over from Fashion Photography or Editorial Photography to the wedding game. There are also those hobbyist photographers who love photography! They start shooting families’ and friends’ weddings and events. These “weekend warriors” have full-time jobs and shoot part-time. Eventually they may go full-time upon retirement from the 9-5 grind, or leave their jobs once they feel confident they can make it as a Professional Photographer.

There are many, many ways to become a successful wedding photographer. What ever route you take, you must do your homework first! My background is in scientific research, and I’m a firm believer of it in order to lessen the risk involved with any business venture. Anyone can take pictures…but, not everyone can create and maintain a successful business. You’re probably familiar with lighting and perspective, but what about your niche market and overhead? I’d recommend stopping by your local Small Business Development Center or SCORE. Your taxes pay for those services, so why not use them? They have many resources and contacts that will help you get started!

Hints:

  • Relationships – Create and maintain relationships within the community, the couples, their fam and friends and vendors. Very, very….very, very, very, very important. You have to be a people person and like people!
  • Passion – If you don’t honestly love wedding photography…don’t do it. I see so many other photogs shoot weddings for some extra money.
  • Wow Factor – Make sure that your couples RAVE about you every step of the way. An extremely satisfied client will help you book more weddings than a magazine ad or web ad!
  • Pricing – Don’t be afraid to charge accordingly. Don’t be the low-end photog who shoots a wedding for $800 then gives away the CD of unedited dig negs. This is terrible for the couple, your studio and the whole wedding photography industry! Remember that you are an artist.
  • Niche – “Find your niche and scratch it!” You will need to decide who your clients are. The more specific the better. Understand that you can’t shoot everyone’s wedding. My website and blog help me screen the couples. This way, the couples who contact me are a lot like me and that has been key to my success so far!

________________________________________________________
Summary:

Find your yin and yang of being a Professional AND a Photographer.

~Rob Nicholson