Should i do more weddings?

rjbell

rjbell

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Robert
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I shot a wedding this year for the first time, although i didn't enjoy it much it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. I did however say i will not do another. However since the wedding I have been asked by a few people whether I would shoot there's where the answer has been no. I'm I being stupid? Could this be the start of a good second income, and strike while the iron is hot?

Does the pressure get less with every wedding?

My biggest problem is being shy and getting my voice heard. I suppose all i need is a big mouth assistant!:)
 
rjbell said:
I shot a wedding this year for the first time, although i didn't enjoy it much it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. I did however say i will not do another. However since the wedding I have been asked by a few people whether I would shoot there's where the answer has been no. I'm I being stupid? Could this be the start of a good second income, and strike while the iron is hot?

Does the pressure get less with every wedding?

My biggest problem is being shy and getting my voice heard. I suppose all i need is a big mouth assistant!:)
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I've have just done by first wedding on Saturday, I must say the morning and right up until I started shooting I could say I was bricking it. however my clients where so un organised it was funny, and at firsts I was shy didn't really put my point across until I got piggy backers copying my shoots and I got this boost of confidence from somewhere and the day flowed after I had found my voice.

At first I was thinking the same as you but to be honest I will would personally do another wedding for the experience and the learning curve and the satisfaction of the bride and groom been happy, ( plus they offer champers when you walk in to the reception lol), all the pros had to start the same with their first.

I would say go for it, do your best, get a second pair of hands and it could top up your main job for a few hours at a weekend.
 
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Robert, you should ask yourself if you enjoyed the experience - leaving the anxiety aside? If you did then why not go for it? I suspect that most photographers felt nervous before their first wedding shoot - I know I did - and many (myself included) will still get anxious before each one. At first it was nerves that I'd mess up and there'd be no decent pictures now it's the fear that I'll mess up and forget to take the camera :)

You just need to become a bit more assertive and be prepared to raise your voice to make it heard - being an ex-Regimental Sergeant Major that's not something I have a problem with - and your confidence will grow very quickly.

Good luck if you decide to go ahead with the doing more :)
 
As a starter make sure you are not the main photographer. That way you build up your confidence
 
neil_g said:
honestly if you didnt enjoy it then no
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im not really sure thats the best rational. You can be good at something but not really enjoy it. People go to work every day not enjoying it but doing so to get the green. Why should photography be any different? If you are good at it and it pays a wage that you need then not enjoying it isn't a reason to not do it
 
joescrivens said:
im not really sure thats the best rational. You can be good at something but not really enjoy it. People go to work every day not enjoying it but doing so to get the green. Why should photography be any different? If you are good at it and it pays a wage that you need then not enjoying it isn't a reason to not do it
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life is too short to be doing something you dont enjoy.

ive pretty much given up event photography because it was so demoralizing.
 
neil_g said:
life is too short to be doing something you dont enjoy.

ive pretty much given up event photography because it was so demoralizing.
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easier said than done though. Tell that to the millions of people who do a job they hate to feed their family.

It's great to have the luxury to choose not to do things you don't enjoy, but thats not always a choice.

If the extra money from doing weddings isn't needed then don't do it, but if you need the extra cash ...
 
joescrivens said:
easier said than done though. Tell that to the millions of people who do a job they hate to feed their family.

It's great to have the luxury to choose not to do things you don't enjoy, but thats not always a choice.

If the extra money from doing weddings isn't needed then don't do it, but if you need the extra cash ...
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its not like the OP has that cash coming in and will be losing it though..
 
Objectively read this thread:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=430917

Then think about how you really felt shooting people who knew you and expected little. Now think about that being some strangers who aren't really 'into it' and have paid you a chunk of money to come up with the goods.

The difference in pressure is huge, and being a wedding photographer is only really for shy people who want to get over that shyness under pressure to do so. During a wedding, someone is watching you every minute of the day, so you have to appear friendly, confident and in control the whole time.

Weddings are only easy money if you have the skill and personality suited to it. If you don't they can be a nightmare.
 
If you didn't enjoy it - then no.

I was really nervous before the first one I did (also friends) but once I got started I absolutely loved it! Since then I've second shot a couple for other photographers and had two of my own clients. Enjoyed them all, the last one particularly. Yes its pressure as its someone's special day, but its also fab to be part of that day and capture moments and memories for them. And if you have that attitude then they enjoy having you around too. You need to be smiling, confident and relaxed (even if you don't feel it!) when dealing with the couple, family and guests.

If you really want to try another, then why not second shoot one and see if you enjoy it any more.
 
joescrivens said:
im not really sure thats the best rational. You can be good at something but not really enjoy it. People go to work every day not enjoying it but doing so to get the green. Why should photography be any different? If you are good at it and it pays a wage that you need then not enjoying it isn't a reason to not do it
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Not often Joe and I agree but we do on this.

In my experience, It's all about making sure you can maintain a clear dividing line between the photography that's a job and the photography that you enjoy and are passionate about.

If you feel you the work side starting to kill your passion elsewhere - then that's the time to stop.
 
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When I did my first wedding in 2006 I turned to my bestfriend and said never ever ever again! Too stressful. I'm not really sure what happened two years later I decided to give it another go well not really a friend of my sister got married and her photographer backed out at the last minute I agreed to shoot it after alot of begging from my sister and her friend and 4 years after that wedding I've not stopped and I absolutely love it every moment! Still have no idea what changed over that two year period but something in me changed perhaps it might be the same for you. Try a couple more maybe once you get into a groove your opinion will change mine certainly did.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I don't need the 2nd income at the minute but being self employed this could easily change in a flash, so this would be a sensible skill to develop. I know a few wedding photographers i can ask in the spring if they need a 2nd photographer.
 
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