 Michael Kurtz |
Wedding Photography: How to Get Started I am a beginner and have only recently started taking some photo classes to gain more knowledge. Since I started showing pictures around at work, I've had numerous offers to do senior and small wedding photo jobs. I'd hate to say no, since I could use the money, but with little experience is it worth taking the risk? I guess I feel confident enough to take the jobs, but I have no idea what to charge or what lab I should have develop the pictures. I have done some research and know what the pros charge - however, I'm not a pro yet.... Any advice is welcome!!!!!!
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Mark Feldstein |
Hello, Michael. I've said this many times before and I'm sure there are some here and elsewhere who would disagree with me but I offer you the following: It's a long reach between doing portraits and senior photos to doing wedding work, regardless of whether it's large or small. Consider the fact that if you screw up, you can reshoot a portrait. Imagine trying to reshoot a wedding? Re-creating it is nearly impossible. The emotional havoc it'd wreak on the bride, groom, and their families is almost insurmountable. Aside from the impact on them, consider your reputation. Because of your acknowledged inexperience, do you want to be known locally as the guy who either misrepresented his abilities, or screwed up the wedding photos for so and so? I don't think you would. I hear it's a tough reputation to get rid of, and if you really want to get into this business as a pro, you don't want to have that obstacle to overcome while trying to build a client base. My advice to you is that if you want to shoot weddings, serve an apprenticeship or an "assistantship" with someone who knows the business well and whose work you admire. Over time, and don't be in too big a hurry, assuming they're willing, while they pay you for your time, they'll help guide you in what you need to learn to do well once you're on your own, including how to shoot it, how to handle people, how to handle yourself in a usually high pressured situation, what equipment to use and have for back-up, what film to use for what kind of situation and what labs, how to direct the labs and not last but least, how to price it. I also encourage you to join a local chapter of some association where local pros who specialize in this kind of work meet and discuss various aspects of the business. Meanwhile, create a portfolio and learn to just say "no" to weddings until you really know your craft and get a handle on its business aspects. Confidence is just one part of that particular sub-specialty in photography. Take it light. Mark
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Michael Kurtz |
Thank you for the advice. In all honesty, I've been a little nervous about the idea of shooting a wedding. Everything you mentioned above has been going through my mind. It helps to actually hear it from someone else. I've actually been looking for a mentor locally, but it's tough. I'm still spreading the word and making new contacts; hopefully soon I'll find a photographer who I admire who will show me the ropes. Again, thank you very much for the advice.
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Kerry L. Walker |
As Mark said, there will be some who disagree with him. However, as a wedding photographer, I am not one of them. His advice is excellent. A wedding is a tough job even for someone who is experienced, but they are fun and rewarding when you are ready to handle them. Follow Mark's advice, and you will be ready when the time comes to go it on your own.
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Mark Feldstein |
You're quite welcome, Michael. I'm glad you considered what I mentioned (and a tip of my hat to Kerry as well). I know it's sometimes difficult to find a good mentor (or any mentor, for that matter), but as I said earlier, joining local association chapters, Wedding Photographers of America, (WPA) Professional Photographers of America, PPofA, possibly American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP.org) might help make those contacts. Even a local photo club or calling some instructors at a college for referrals might help. Anything to get the word out. Meanwhile, if we can help out further, just holler. Be well. Mark
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Kerry L. Walker |
Holler loud. My hearing ain't what it used to be.
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brigitte stahre |
i am strictly an amateur, using a fuji finepix and an olympus camedia.. i work with developmentally challenged adults and take all the facility pic and special olympics.. sooooo, a co worker on a budget gets married, prices wedding photographers and then comes to me.. I said no until the week before the wedding then reluctantly agreed.. she borrowed an expensive minolta for me to use.. I decided to back everything up with my cameras.. of course murphy's law was in full effect that evening.. when I finished the first film, the minolta wouldn't rewind, the camera's owner, thank god, said:" ya gotta go ahead more and did so." the sound of the film snapping, was unmistakeable. to me anyway,, she opened the camera despite my loudly wailed:" NOOOOOOOO!!!" I snapped it shut on her sleeve, she opened it again, even tho' I offered to find a sharp knife... 4 out of 24 pictures were salvaged.. i did have 200+ taken with the digitals.. then the grooms mother wanted a "nice" group shot of 4 whiny, overexited children, one of them a toddler.. was just invited to another wedding, the first thing I asked was whether they hired a professional photographer.. they did, so i'll be going but my cameras are staying home..
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Mark Feldstein |
Kerry: WHAT DID YOU SAY !!!????
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Lynn Boyer |
following someone is nice until you decide you want to do it on your own and now they look at you as a competition. But this is the neat part,they cannot refuse you pictures for you're own portfolio. If you need help with that later(its the law) I can direct you. It will take you anywhere from 2-4yrs to get really good at it
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Kerry L. Walker |
Kerry: WHAT DID YOU SAY !!!???? Can't remember now. First the hearing, now the memory. Getting old is the pits. At least I haven't grown up yet.
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David O. Clifton |
I have to agree with everyones comments. I did a wedding once where I learned the hard way. After buying professional film, 4 rolls of 36 exposure and having it developed at a Kodak Professional lab, I was only able to give the Bride 8 pictures, the first 4 and the last 4. Of course the lab said that my equipment must have been malfunctioning. Needless to say, the bride hasn't spoke to me since, and we were friends, and I haven't shot anything beyond my own family since. However, this weekend I will be trying it again. However, this time I am shooting the wedding own my own, unknown to the couple. If the shots come out as they should, I will put an album together and give it to the as a gift. Another thing to think about, if you are planning on doing this, is get a backup for everything and have the film developed at more than 1 location.
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Mark Feldstein |
Greetings David: That's certainly a nice and generous gesture you're planning, although I hope that if they have a wedding photographer, that [s]he doesn't get the wrong idea about what you're intending. As to film processing, I don't think you need to go to more than one lab or location to get it done. You can separate your film out and have it batched or processed separately at the same lab to head off any disasters as the processing level.
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Marquee Smith |
Michael, I understand your apprehension about shooting a wedding. A friend asked me to do her wedding about 3 months after I bought my camera. I declined because I was not ready for that responsibility. Mark gave good advice. Regarding the photgraphy associations mentioned; do you have to be a professional to join these associations or just pay the required fees/dues? Like David, I'm going practice shooting a wedding this weekend. (on my own and staying out of the hired photographer's way)
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Miguel Clarke |
Michael, I too understand your concerns. I was asked by a friend to do a wedding 3 years ago. I had done numerous portraits for her sister. I said 'no' 3 times. But the other alternative was guests with disposable cameras. I had 15 rolls of pro film, mostly B&W. I shot 8 & things went great; the bride/groom LOVED the photos. (I had an F100, 28-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8, 105 macro & an N70 back-up.) The advice you have been given is great. You're better off with a mentor than without one. I would have loved to do that. I've been shooting seriously for 7 years & just went pro in 2004. Until you find a mentor, you can work to hone your skills using photo books & magazines. Most helpful were those stressing composition & exposure. I just completed my first wedding as a pro and it's HARD work w/ no room for error...even with digital (D70). Have fun shooting!
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