p.2 #1 · Tips for starting out photographing weddings
The best approach is to reach out to other wedding photographers whose work you find inspiring and ask if they need an assistant. Gradually, you can start shooting for them as a third and later as a second shooter. This way, you will learn what weddings are about and how the process works.
p.2 #2 · Tips for starting out photographing weddings
if you need extra money, just get a parttime job. You understand taking pictures of someone's "best day" should be taken by professionals. Are you are professional? If the answer is not, get a part time job. Most of the people here (those that replied to your question) are good people and very good photographers, but just a few are professional photographers...
p.2 #3 · Tips for starting out photographing weddings
I started out as a second shooter, and honestly, it’s one of the best ways to learn. You get hands-on experience with how a wedding day flows — managing the timeline, adapting to unexpected situations, and observing how different photographers work. Shooting alongside various professionals gives you valuable insight and a range of perspectives that really help you grow. I've also been photographing weddings for 16 years now, and every time I second shoot for a colleague, I still learn something new.
p.2 #4 · Tips for starting out photographing weddings
Here’s a tip; DON’T. it’s a grueling time suck and will wreak havoc on your hands, feet and back. I can say this after 26yrs in the industry. The best day was when I quit taking bookings.
p.2 #5 · Tips for starting out photographing weddings
> Here’s a tip; DON’T. it’s a grueling time suck and will wreak havoc on your hands, feet and back. I can say this after 26yrs in the industry. The best day was when I quit taking bookings.
Well, if you're on the fence (on anything), not doing it is easier than doing it.
After 1300 weddings, I'm in better shape at age 61 than most everyone else I know at my age. When you're client base is half your age, you want to preserve your mobility so you don't stick out as 'that old guy.' Suck your life away? That's more self-employment than wedding photography itself. It's not impossible to schedule a 40hr, 5-day-workweek career out of wp but you have to make strong steps to do it. Rather than a M-F schedule, it's more like a Wed-Sun affair.
Are you good at marketing? Can you stand back and be objective about your 'art' versus a desirable service? Can you promptly return communication from inquiring strangers? Are you efficient at mouse-clicks to make computers do what you want? Are you good at dynamic problem-solving under event deadline pressure? Then wedding photography just might be for you.
p.2 #7 · Tips for starting out photographing weddings
My tip? Not to be negative but it isn't worth the trouble. It's an unbelievably dirty job actually, having to be stuck in huge crowds of people every weekend for hours on end. If it were safe to wash out my eyeballs with bleach I would, its that disgusting. The ceremony and the portrait session are ok, usually. The reception and dancing?? Nope. My tip is honestly hire someone to work receptions for you and leave as early as possible.
p.2 #9 · Tips for starting out photographing weddings
RoamingScott wrote:
You should work on 2nd shooting for an established photographer to see if 1) it's up your alley and 2) you're any good at it.
Your gear isn't up to par, so unless that 1st shooter has gear you can use, you're looking at a significant outlay at the beginning.
The "traditional" path is normally portrait photography that leads to event photography that leads to wedding photography, because all of those skills compound and build. Street has very little practical application here.
This is great advice actually. I have been thinking about getting into wedding photography and was considering doing the same thing.
