How to Become a Wedding Photographer
Issue #4
[Read Time 8 minutes]
This is a pretty loaded response, and before I give you a semi-detailed but thorough checklist, let me ask an even bigger question.
CAN anyone become a wedding photographer?
The optimist in me says yes, of course. But the realist in me feels a bit different.
Photography IS for everyone, but wedding photography is for those who are wired a bit differently.
Wedding photographers are creative and compassionate, focused and filled with the ability to juggle multiple projects at the same time.
But the biggest quality the wedding photographer possesses, in my semi-biased opinion, is having the heart of a servant.
You, the humble wedding photographer, get the opportunity to be and do something extraordinary for your couples and their families and friends, and it's something that will last forever.
Yes, it's a big gig.
I could wax poetic for a good bit about the virtues of photographing weddings, but to cut to the chase, I'll put it like this:
If this doesn't sound like you, I understand. Having the "heart of a servant" isn't for everyone, and that's OK.
You can still love photography, practice it, and have an incredible career at it. But if serving isn't something you're comfortable with, please don't go down the path of weddings. You won't like it, and I care too much about weddings to encourage the wrong people to get into it.
BUT
If being a creative, focused, empathetic person with a great sense of humor who is ready to serve with a camera sounds like fun, you could be looking at an extremely special opportunity for yourself.
Now, I know the focus of this newsletter is on the inner game of wedding photography, and there's a significant amount of info and training to get to that point, but if you're brand new to photography and you have your eye on weddings as a career path, I want to help get your started on the right foot.
As I mentioned at the top, How to become a wedding photographer is a loaded charge, but let's break it down:
Learn the Basics of Photography
Education - This is something you can do today. I'll assume you have a camera. Learn how to use it thoroughly. YouTube channels have extensive tutorials on all the settings.
Learn to shoot in Manual - If you want to do most any other kind of photography, I wouldn't start you here, but you want to swim in the deep end, so let's teach you to swim now.
Study for Free - There are a TON of courses or self-study programs to learn from. Watch YouTube tutorials, shoot, evaluate, rinse and repeat. You need to understand Exposure, Composition and how to use your flash (and please don't tell me you're a "natural light photographer"). Your goal is to be a wedding photographer, no matter what the lighting conditions are.
Practice - You have the camera, so unless you're shooting film (please don't do that starting out), you can shoot as much as you want, and it costs $0.00. The first thing you need to do is get good at photography, and the best way to do that is to shoot, shoot, shoot!
Invest in Quality Equipment
Camera and Lenses - You want a good DSLR or mirrorless camera and a couple of versatile lenses. The ideal setup will include the 24-70mm and a 70-200mm, but if you're starting out, get the "fastest" lenses you can afford. The 100mm 2.0 and the 50mm 1.8 are relatively cheap and fast, and as you build, you can upgrade.
Accessories - You will need some essential accessories like a flash, memory cards, batteries, and a decent tripod, but don't go crazy on the gear.
You Can Buy Used - I'd steer clear of Craigslist. Instead, check out local camera shops that deal in used gear. B&H Photo also does, and they are my favorite for all gear, new and used.
You'll Need Two - Shooting weddings REQUIRES that you have redundant gear, so plan to have two camera bodies at some point and more later (you can borrow, don't forget)
IMPORTANT NOTE - Photography is a pricey hobby, so pace yourself. The good news is that you can use this education and skill for a lot of things (kids, pets, nature, travel). One bonus is that at every holiday gathering, you get to be the one to take the family photo!
Learn Photo Editing and Post-Processing
Editing Software - Get comfortable using photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. This is a MUST. Weddings are a game where you shoot a LOT, so developing a system for processing is essential.
Consistent Style - The editing process is also where you will develop a consistent editing style. This is in combination with your shooting style that will become your signature look. Take your time with this. You don’t have to a “look” right out of the gate.
Build Your Portfolio
Start Small - As you build your photography skills, it's time to get comfortable shooting and directing couples. Engagement sessions are a great way to shoot, build confidence, and get some photos into your portfolio.
Everyone Can Help - Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors - You're committing to becoming a photographer, so everyone is a potential subject. Practice posing and controlling the light and surroundings. Making people look good is an essential skill and learning how to direct and make them comfortable goes hand in hand.
Styled/Staged Shoots - If you have friends in the wedding industry, you can collab on a styled photo shoot. A local venue + a local dress shop + an aspiring model + local florist = bridal shoot! You give them photos and have photos for you - win, win, win, win (you get the point).
Network with Industry Professionals
Join Groups - Be active in photography groups and forums online and around town. These are where you'll find your peers in the wedding world, so don't be shy. Photographers are typically cagey about “their tricks” but be open and willing to help others and they’ll help you.
Attend Events - Before you consider being a part of any events, visit the local wedding fairs and expos first. Get a feel for the industry, meet everyone and connect with vendors. You're not looking for clients when you attend, but you are looking for referrals.
Create Your Professional Online Presence
Domain Name - You don't have to choose the one business name you'll have for the rest of your life, but get something locked down with a dot-com. Your professionalism is important, and this is a good starting point.
Website - Get, at the very least, a simple but stylish website built. You can use Wix or Squarespace, but keep it nice and clean. Model the layouts of other websites, but use your own style, colors and copy to make it yours. DO NOT EVER STEAL photos or copy. You're a creative person - you can do this right.
Social Media - Use the platforms you're comfortable with. Instagram is a great one since it's image-based and your couples are on there, but you can also try Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube or even TikTok if you're comfortable.
Tell a Story - I don't like using this word, but be authentic on social media. You're not the best in the world or even the best in your town. Be yourself and tell prospective brides what you love and why you love it.
Grow Online First - Social media is free, so use these platforms as your megaphone. You never have to say anything more than who you are and what you do. Let your photos say the rest. Shoot, shoot, show off your photos. Shoot some more and show off your photos. Photos and stories are the heartbeat of social media, so feed it and feed it often.
Get Experience as a Second Shooter
Assist Established Photographers - This is a GREAT way to get started! Offer to assist or second shoot for experienced wedding photographers to gain real-world wedding experience.
Learn Everything You Can - Learn the workflow, how to interact with clients, and how to handle the wedding day and post-wedding deliverables.
This is Your Inside Track - You don't have to second shoot or work for someone else forever but become a valuable asset, and the rewards will pay you back tenfold.
Develop Your Business Skills
Client Management- Learn how to manage leads, client interactions, contracts, and payments. This is the less-than-sexy part of the business, but it's critical.
Marketing - You won't have a business for long if you don't know how to market it. Understand basic marketing principles to promote your services and attract clients. I'll cover some of this every week, but the basic principles are worth learning early.
Pricing - Start reasonable and grow fast. You can research your market and set competitive pricing for your work, keeping in mind your expenses and market rates. Remember this one - COGS. Your Cost of Goods and Services is essential info for running your business. Know this early and you’ll be ahead of the game.
Legal and Financial Setup
Register Your Business - Register your photography business and get dedicated bank accounts. You can start as a DOB with your bank and expand from there.
Insurance - You don't have to get this right away but eventually you'll need some kind of business insurance to protect your camera gear and cover liability.
Accounting - This is an essential part of running your business, even if it is a headache. Nonetheless, you must set up a system for tracking income, expenses, and city, state and federal taxes. I recommend getting an accountant for doing taxes and getting tax advice. Offer to shoot their wedding as a trade.
Continuously Improve and Evolve
Ongoing Learning - This is where your business will live or die. That's a big statement, but it's true. Staying up to date with the latest trends and technologies in photography, marketing and software is a fantastic opportunity to stand out from the crowd and build your business fast.
Feedback and Improvement - It might be tough to hear, especially early on, but get feedback on your work. Listening to clients and peers and continuously working on improving your skills and services will only make you better.
Professional Development - Attend workshops, webinars, and photography conferences to learn from industry leaders and enhance your craft. At first, this might feel daunting. You attend a conference, see so much amazing work, and compare it to your own (scary!). Remember, your clients are NOT other photographers (though they could be someday). Being a part of the bigger industry of wedding photographers will empower you to get better and refine your talents.
So, are you ready to become a Professional Wedding Photographer?
I won't lie, it's a tremendous amount of work, but it's also been the greatest work I've ever done (away from being a dad, husband and now grandfather).
You can do this!
Get started honing your photography chops, and reach out to me if you have any questions. I'm here to help you build your wedding photography business.
“Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Learning the fundamentals of how to become a wedding photographer is one of the little parts of the "inner game of wedding photography."
THIS is what I write about each week in this newsletter.
If you’d like to be notified each Sunday morning when a new issue is released, click that beautiful blue subscribe button (and thank you in advance)
If you know someone who’d love this juicy insider information, click this equally beautiful and benevolent button here.
That is where I was married! So beautiful.