How to start shooting weddings?

  • Belief in yourself
  • Don’t listen to the tiny little voices on the internet
  • Shoot for yourself, clients second.
  • A career is a journey, not a destination
  • You will have ups and downs
  • Success is not quantifiable; happiness is.
  • Ask yourself some serious questions, is wedding photography right for me? Why?
  • At weddings, you have to like people. If you don’t, this is not for you.
  • Do you have an enthusiasm for photography? If not, don’t follow this path
  • Keep your day job until you feel you have income and can cover your expenses
  • Education. Paramount. Locals like Jim Landers school of photography. WPPI in Vegas is another. Workshops, exhibitions, immerse yourself in art.
  • You will need a second camera, at least. Do not think otherwise when it comes to shooting someone’s weddingSpend more $ on glass than the camera.
  • Shoot, shoot, and shoot.
  • Go second shoot or assist with a photographer you like. DO NOT EMAIL. Pick up the phone and call. Meet. Bring your work.
  • Do not think about becoming a rock star photographer.
  • Keep your ego in check.
  • Photography is a craft. Study photographers. Research masters of art is a start; Henri Cartier-Bresson is my go-to. 
  • Study geometry
  • Do not copy some other photographer’s styles.
  • Work hard.
  • To grow your business, you have two avenues to pursue. 1. Advertise online. 2. Ask your friends and family, business friends, to shoot at a discount to get more of your work available online and build a portfolio. Without a portfolio, it’s going to be hard to get a job.
  • Meet photographers. Reach out. Ask questions; You’d be surprised. Some people remember what it was like to start and will repay in kind, helping the local community of photographers.
  • Join local photography meetups. Be open and friendly.
  • Finally, study light and composition.
  • And study, light, and composition. Rinse, repeat.
  • Don’t give up. 

Table of contents

Leave a Reply