I want to be a wedding photographer..i need advice.

[Dramaticshots]

A pleasant day to all of you. I'm here to learn for people who will share their blessings and talents to teach me and to be my friend also in this line of business. My husband and I had a business, we do layout designing, most of my clients are in line of wedding.

I ask someone to be my tie-up photographer but he charges a bit expensive. I want to offer photography service because i encountered lots of my clients wants me and keeps on telling and wishing that they hope i offer also photo coverage because they were really amaze to my layouts and my husbands work.

I want to learn photography, preferably as a photojournalist who shoots weddings because ive seen the work of photojournalist in weddings and it was do dramatic. I'm only 25 years old and got married recently.I lived here in philippines. And really love to learn.

My problem is, what should kind of camera should i use and its lens? yet not that expensive because i also dont have enough finances but ill save for me to be able to buy the camera that i will use. That's why im looking for clients who will try also my artistic layouting. I have some friends in United States that tells me, if i only live in US, many will hired me because i work really good and they told me that it is competitive alot. I hope you understand my message even im not too good in english. But i really want to learn. Please help me how to start. I will appreciate it alot.

[PhotosGuy]

what should kind of camera should i use and its lens? For weddings & events that can't be reshot, you need two cameras, not just one. Maybe two 20Ds at about $500 each. preferably as a photojournalist And for indoors work, you'll need fast lenses, too.

So, you got a new EOS and wanna shoot weddings (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27908)

[Dramaticshots]

Thank you Mr. PhotoGuy. I had a follow-up question to make it more clear to me, so I need to buy 2 Canon EOS 20Ds? can I ask why? is it to make sure that I will not get into trouble when if in case my one camera got a problem during those once in a lifetime event?

Also, what are the lens should I buy for this kind of camera that will also suit the wedding events? Do I need lighting for more drama? because most of the photographers here in Philippines, I observed that they depend on the lighting of the Videographers. While does expensive photographers, they really have a dramatic shots yet they use their own lightings. We experienced in our own wedding that the photographer that we hired, they depend on the lights of videographer, sad thing when the videographer pack up, the rest of the shots by our photographer is dark because he only use handy flash :( What are the other things that you can suggest that can help my shots at least more dramatic. Do I have to change lenses if its indoor or outdoor? Thank you so much.

[Robert16]

Hello and welcome to the forum! You have come to a great place to learn. Read through the Wedding section stickies and use the 'search' function. I would take my time to learn and get used to the equipment before you go booking yourself as a wedding photographer. Good luck

[StMarc]

I am not a wedding photographer and won't advise you on the particulars of that, but I will answer some general photography business questions.

Thank you Mr. PhotoGuy. I had a follow-up question to make it more clear to me, so I need to buy 2 Canon EOS 20Ds? can I ask why? is it to make sure that I will not get into trouble when if in case my one camera got a problem during those once in a lifetime event?

Exactly right. In fact, three is none too many. But at a bare minimum, two, with spares of everything (flash, batteries, memory cards, lens) that you absolutely must have to make the shoot work. That doesn't mean you need two of every lens you own, but it does mean that you have to have more than one lens that will work to shoot the event in case one goes south on you.

Do I need lighting for more drama? because most of the photographers here in Philippines, I observed that they depend on the lighting of the Videographers. While does expensive photographers, they really have a dramatic shots yet they use their own lightings. We experienced in our own wedding that the photographer that we hired, they depend on the lights of videographer, sad thing when the videographer pack up, the rest of the shots by our photographer is dark because he only use handy flash :( Other people's lighting is in fact a big problem in event photography. If you do use your own strobes, the nice thing is that video lights are "continuous," or on all the time, and usually aren't anything like as bright as photo strobes. That means that if you set your camera up properly, you can use your strobes for accent lighting even while his video lights are on. Then if /when he leaves, you just turn your strobes up a bit more if you need to to make up for it - and while his lights are on, you can also take ambient-lighting photographs and get the best of both worlds!

What are the other things that you can suggest that can help my shots at least more dramatic. Books. Lots of books. Read photography books that highlight the kind of photography you like and see how they did it.

Do I have to change lenses if its indoor or outdoor?Not necessarily, but you can use much slower lenses if it's outdoors in the daytime than you can get away with indoors or at night (when at least part of the wedding festivities will probably take place.)

M

[tim]

Wedding FAQ: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604
A thread I just posted on you might like to read: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=445209

[Dramaticshots]

thank you everyone who answer my concerns. I had a question, i met a photojournalist and recommend me the Canon EOS 400D...which is better Canon EOS 400D OR the 30D OR 20D? Which among of this will be the best for wedding? Also what would be the best lens should i use for wedding?

[tim]

Did you read the FAQ? That answers your questions. A 400D is a low end consumer SLR, it does a decent enough job, but i'd rather have a 20D if I had to choose from your list. What I do have is two 40Ds. Remember equipment fails, you HAVE to have a backup.

[bigjon0107]

Ya, make sure you go back and read the threads/faq's that were posted. It will answer every question you asked so far.

[zorz]

I invested some money and a lot of time studying books on the subject. They give a well-organized overview from start to finish and can be taken with you for references. Good and useful reads are, in my recommended order:

Digital Wedding Photography: Capturing Beautiful Memories (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471790176)
The Art of Wedding Photography: Professional Techniques with Style (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0817433252)
The Best of Wedding Photojournalism: Techniques and Images from the Pros (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584281227)

[StMarc]

thank you everyone who answer my concerns. I had a question, i met a photojournalist and recommend me the Canon EOS 400D...which is better Canon EOS 400D OR the 30D OR 20D? Which among of this will be the best for wedding? Also what would be the best lens should i use for wedding?

1) The 400D, all other things being equal, will produce images of somewhat higher quality than either the 30D or the 20D, but any of them will produce good images in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing.

2) If you are buying new, I would go with the 30D over the 400D. The 30D is a low-end pro camera: the 400D is a high-end consumer camera. The 30D will be much more reliable and durable. I might go so far as to say get a 30D for your main and a 400D for your backup if that helps your budget.

3) You will need more than one lens for serious wedding photography. Which lenses those are will depend on your style, your budget, and the kinds of weddings most common in your area. For instance, if you will mostly be shooting in huge churches and halls, you will need a longer lens than if most of your weddings are in small meeting houses and private homes. Etc.

M