Not a new photog, but trying to get into wedding ADVICE>>

[akhoopes]

I dont know if this is in the right spot but what a better spot to ask,

I have checked the wedding FAQ and it didn't really answer my questions, so....

I am not a new photog but recently have wanted to start shooting weddings but i am couriouse on how to get started.

I mean no one is going to just trust me to take there wedding pictures never having shot a wedding before, are they?

I am supposing i need to find a wedding photog and just tag along to try and build up a weeding port verse what i got now, but i am wondering how all you current wedding photogs got your start, i am looking to start making some seriouse money with my pictures and the normal models and family's just isnt cutting it. So if you could please share how you got started in the business i would appriciate it, and if this is posted some where else already point me in that direction, cause i couldnt find it. so lets here it, please? Thanks so much have a great day.

[sevillafox]

This might be a good place to start.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604

[akhoopes]

This might be a good place to start.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=255604


as i stated in my post i read that and it doesnt answer my question, but thank you

[sevillafox]

as i stated in my post i read that and it doesnt answer my question, but thank you
D'oh. Pregnant brain strikes again!

[akhoopes]

its cool, thanks though

[lil_miss]

I think you answered your own question...

[akhoopes]

ok, i know that i was trying to get others point of view and how they started, ....this is going no where

[tim]

Not many wedding photographers hang out here any more. Step one is to get experience, either cheap or friends for free, 2nd shooting, craigslist, etc.

[notapro]

you'd be surprised how many people will trust you to shoot their wedding if you have a good body of work to show in any genre. My ultimate goal is to do weddings, but I've decided to go the route of second shooting for a season and entering the market at mid-range next year (hopefully). fairly regularly I get inquiries for weddings, and I just turn them down, telling them I'm still training for weddings.

Other people have had much success entering on the low end and increasing their prices as they gain experience and confidence. IMO, the work on your site is good enough that you could enter the market above what most people (like me) could. If I were you, I would avoid going the desperate route, and just put a couple ads out there and wait. Better to do one $1500 wedding than three $500 ones, that sort of thing.

[akhoopes]

you'd be surprised how many people will trust you to shoot their wedding if you have a good body of work to show in any genre. My ultimate goal is to do weddings, but I've decided to go the route of second shooting for a season and entering the market at mid-range next year (hopefully). fairly regularly I get inquiries for weddings, and I just turn them down, telling them I'm still training for weddings.

Other people have had much success entering on the low end and increasing their prices as they gain experience and confidence. IMO, the work on your site is good enough that you could enter the market above what most people (like me) could. If I were you, I would avoid going the desperate route, and just put a couple ads out there and wait. Better to do one $1500 wedding than three $500 ones, that sort of thing.

Thank you for your compliments on my site and my work, i think you are right, i was sorta just fishing for how others got started, but i guess just like models, people, and portraits its just a matter of get in there and do it. Thank again

[Bobster]

you'll need a 2nd body..

see if someone will take you as a 2nd shooter, learn the ropes, read lots of wedding magazines, books, look through other peoples wedding sites for inspiration etc :) (keep clear of shooting a cousins wedding etc.. unless they're willing to pay)

[JWright]

I see many of these threads asking how to get into wedding photography, but very few, (if any) asking how to get into other types of photography, so I'm going to play the devil's advocate here...

Have you really taken a good hard look at why you want to get into wedding photography instead of some other type of photography? Is it because you think it might be a good way to start making money in photography? Are you ready to lose all your weekends because you're shooting weddings and then spend your weekdays processing images?

Are you ready to deal with Bridezilla and her mother? How well do you cope with stress, when the wedding is supposed to be outside and it's pouring rain? I could go on and on...

Also realize that if you start shooting weddings, you are essentially self-employed. There are a lot of hassles that go along with that, the biggest of which is dealing with the government. Once you are self-employed, even if it's part-time, then you are responsible for paying income and Social Security taxes on any money you receive, usually quarterly. In addition to Federal taxes there are taxes required by your state and municipality that will need to be paid, including business license fees and sales taxes, if any.

These are all things you have to consider if you want to make this a career, or a part-time source of income. That said, all of the advice that's been given above is worth considering.

Something I would do would be to research the area you intend to be working in and see if you think the market could support another photographer. Check your yellow pages, take a look at your local craigslist and do a search for wedding photographers in your area.

I wish you the best of luck...

[akhoopes]

awesome thanks guys and gals

[RandyMN]

The best way to get into it is just do them in any possible way you can find. The best advertising you can ever get is someone showing off your work!

I don't even look for weddings and tomorrow I am helping with one just because I know the rewards involved with wedding photography. I actually have full time job unrelated to photography and for ten years I did weddings. I decided when it became too much like a job it was time to stop.