Starting Out.

I

Isabel Maria

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3
Name
Isabel
Edit My Images
Yes
Hello,
I am new to this forum and I can see that there are so many talented people around, I though I would ask you a few questions about starting out.
I dream of becoming a professional wedding photographer, I am confident on my ability to take good pictures since I not only studied photography but also teach it at A level and GCSE (I’m a full qualified teacher). I have a portfolio of my work but none of it is related to weddings. How do I hook up with someone to build it up? What would be the best approach? I truly appreciate your help on this. Cheers.
 
When I started in wedding photography I asked the same question. I was told to just turn up at some weddings and act as a guest taking photos. I did this a few times and then I started to get some weddings from ads in my local paper (pre internet). But, at least I had some images to show. Alternatively, you could approach a local wedding photographer and offer to assist him or her on some weddings, to get some experience and a portfolio. Tell them they can use your images if they feel they add to the album.

When you have amassed a decent sized folio have a wedding album made up from your images, this will cost about £150-300 depending on the size of the album, also have some large prints made up and mounted on foam board. When you have an album try to get into some local wedding fairs (google is your friend here) approach local wedding related businesses and try to get your name out there. Go and see hotel wedding bookers, get to know them (they move around frequently, so keep abreast of this), buy them a coffee and just chat to them. Mainly they are women so you should find this easy.

When you have done your first wedding contact me and I will tell you where to send the commission.
 
If you're confident with your skills then start asking around and try and get a role as a second photographer, be up front, be honest.

Where are you located? Do you have a website? Are you on Flickr? Is there anywhere you showcase your work?
 
canonlad said:
When I started in wedding photography I asked the same question. I was told to just turn up at some weddings and act as a guest taking photos.
Click to expand...

yeah, don't do this....

Approach wedding photographers in your local area and help out for free. After a couple of weddings try and get some paid work either assisting or on your own (small wedding) and then once you've built up a basic portfolio start marketing yourself as a wedding photographer. Don't forget, you can always take on a 2nd shooter too!
 
HBeevers I am upset that you think my advice is wrong. When I started this worked for me for a few weddings and then I assisted another photographer. Just because my way is not for everyone doesn't mean it is wrong.
 
canonlad said:
HBeevers I am upset that you think my advice is wrong. When I started this worked for me for a few weddings and then I assisted another photographer. Just because my way is not for everyone doesn't mean it is wrong.
Click to expand...

You're as free to be upset as Henry is to disagree with your advice.

If a stranger turned up at a wedding I was shooting with camera gear, they'd find themselves the subject of a very embarrassing ejection. I'm sure most other pro's would say the same - and I'm sure once you have an established business you'll have the same opinion too.

So, if you managed to get away with it - well done. But advising other people to do it is a little reckless.:)
 
Acting as a guest is weird and wouldnt be something I'd like to do. I'm sure you would be ejected sharpish.

However there's nothing wrong with asking the couple of a wedding you have been invited to if they mind you taking some pictures. As long as they agree and the main photographer doesn't mind. That's what I did and have now shot three weddings as the main photographer.
 
So far, you have been told to:
a) Gatecrash a wedding and just shoot away.
b) Become an "Uncle Bob"

Neither of these are (In my opinion) suitable methods, for the following (amongst other) reasons:
a) As Phil says, you are more than likely to get ejected, and possibly spoil some-one's special day.
b) You will never feel clean again.:lol:

The only real option is the one which has been alluded to in a couple of posts.
Ask an established wedding photographer to assist them, with a view to eventually being allowed to take some shots of your own.
Bear in mind that as a second, most of the shots you take will not have the subject(s) looking at you, as they will be looking at the main tog, but it will give you a good grounding in posing, etc.
Also bear in mind you may need to travel outside your own area to do this, as an established wedding photographer is not going to want to train up competition for the future.

Cheers,
Gary
 
Phil V said:
You're as free to be upset as Henry is to disagree with your advice.

If a stranger turned up at a wedding I was shooting with camera gear, they'd find themselves the subject of a very embarrassing ejection. I'm sure most other pro's would say the same - and I'm sure once you have an established business you'll have the same opinion too.

So, if you managed to get away with it - well done. But advising other people to do it is a little reckless.:)
Click to expand...

yeah just slightly - taking photos on private property without permission, then using them commercially - theres a lawsuit waiting to happen
 
I just saw our local adult ed is planning a course on wedding photography! Sheesh! I'm wondering who they are going to get to teach it. I'd have thought the business side would be something to learn about.
 
Last edited:
this freaked me out too!! but maybe Bob was shooting these type of things many years ago when times were different to how they are now. still odd though

good luck Isabel and welcome to the forums
just a suggestion.....if you need portfolio shots why not start with some of your student contacts or local businesses or TFP shoots where you can get some experience shooting wedding scenes to get the technical side down, and then move upwards to assisting on the real thing.
I always think if you look further afield, then you can find someone to shadow. asking someone to do so on your doorstep is less likely to get some help.
I've seen people on here make contacts and then do some miles to meet up with experienced photographers from TP, but it was well worth their time.
whereabouts in this sunny isle do you come from?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top