How to get your first Booking

SezzySue · 31st of January 2006 (Tue)

Hello everyone, Good Morning.

I am very new to photography, but I have an idea of what I want to do. I am also someone who plans far in advance, so I am thinking now. I am 21 years old with only self taught skills. I will be going to college fulltime to learn photography as soon as I am done in the Air Force. I also found a local photographer who is willing to let me work with him in exchange for lessons in studio photography. I would love to one day do weddings, but how do you get booked? Because of the military we move around a lot so reputation is not as easy for me. I know that once I get the right skills that I will be settles in one state, but that is beside the point.

What do I need to do to help me be successful in finding jobs? I don't want to agree to a wedding before I am confident I can give a worthy product, but how do I get good at weddings when I have never done one? I am so lost. Some insight would be great.

Have a great day.

Phil V · 31st of January 2006 (Tue)

You've already done the right thing, teaming up with a pro, once you've assisted for a while, you'll have a portfolio and a growing reputation. By the time you're ready - people will be ready and waiting to book you.

tim · 31st of January 2006 (Tue)

Work with someone who's established, build up a portfolio, do a few for free, put up a website, then advertise. Worked for me.

CyberPet · 31st of January 2006 (Tue)

Work with a pro, assist and advance to be a second shooter - soon enough you'll feel brave enough to "put yourself out there". If the pro is a good one, he'll give you a wedding.

Best way to book wedding is through referals.

jra · 1st of February 2006 (Wed)

Just wanted to chime in on this one....Another good way to gain some experience and build a portfolio is to look for people who did not plan on hiring a pro photog. for their wedding. Often times small, budget minded weddings or second weddings fall into this category. Just offer your services for no charge and the the couple can buy any prints that they may want afterwards. Most couples will jump at the opportunity because they have nothing to loose by letting you shoot the wedding.

lesleysmeshly · 2nd of February 2006 (Thu)

Sarah,
How did you go about finding a pro to help out? I thought about sending letters around to studios in Vegas, but didn't know if that was a good idea..?

SezzySue · 3rd of February 2006 (Fri)

I went to people websites, explained my situation, and two replied as being able to help me. I only looked in the very close area to me, so I am sure there are meny more studios to look at.

antelopeslr5000 · 3rd of February 2006 (Fri)

I'm not too sure about the USAF but I was a serving memeber with the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) for 10 years and they have a mustering specifically for photographers. Does the USAF have anything similar? Maybe you could remuster and get a head start.

PIXI_666 · 5th of February 2006 (Sun)

I get all my gigs by word of mouth, it helps living in a well established community town, word gets around very quickly!!!

Id suggest telling yoru friends and family, weddings are always around - and that's how i got a few of my bookings....

Del

31st of January 2006 (Tue)	#1
SezzySue Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV (Born and Raised in Detroit, MI) Posts: 1,388 IMAGE EDITING OK	How to get your first Booking Hello everyone, Good Morning. I am very new to photography, but I have an idea of what I want to do. I am also someone who plans far in advance, so I am thinking now. I am 21 years old with only self taught skills. I will be going to college fulltime to learn photography as soon as I am done in the Air Force. I also found a local photographer who is willing to let me work with him in exchange for lessons in studio photography. I would love to one day do weddings, but how do you get booked? Because of the military we move around a lot so reputation is not as easy for me. I know that once I get the right skills that I will be settles in one state, but that is beside the point. What do I need to do to help me be successful in finding jobs? I don't want to agree to a wedding before I am confident I can give a worthy product, but how do I get good at weddings when I have never done one? I am so lost. Some insight would be great. Have a great day. __________________ Sarah www.seibertphotography.com

31st of January 2006 (Tue)	#2
Phil V Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: S Yorks UK Posts: 1,327 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to get your first Booking You've already done the right thing, teaming up with a pro, once you've assisted for a while, you'll have a portfolio and a growing reputation. By the time you're ready - people will be ready and waiting to book you. __________________ Gear List website: South Yorkshire Wedding photographer in Doncaster blog: Wedding photographer Yorkshire blog Twitter Facebook

31st of January 2006 (Tue)	#3
tim Light Bringer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 47,928 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to get your first Booking Work with someone who's established, build up a portfolio, do a few for free, put up a website, then advertise. Worked for me. __________________ NZIPP Qualified Professional wedding photographer. Camera and Lens Reviews ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer Wellington Wedding Photographer (site2) ~ Wellington Wedding Photographer (site3) Read all my FAQs (wedding, printing, lighting, books, etc)

31st of January 2006 (Tue)	#4
CyberPet Hiding Under a Rock Join Date: May 2005 Location: Piteå, Sweden Posts: 4,052 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to get your first Booking Work with a pro, assist and advance to be a second shooter - soon enough you'll feel brave enough to "put yourself out there". If the pro is a good one, he'll give you a wedding. Best way to book wedding is through referals. __________________ /Petra Hall Click here to view my geeky gear list I shoot as much as possible in available light... sometimes, my flash is available – Joe Buissink

1st of February 2006 (Wed)	#5
jra Cream of the Crop Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,214	Re: How to get your first Booking Just wanted to chime in on this one....Another good way to gain some experience and build a portfolio is to look for people who did not plan on hiring a pro photog. for their wedding. Often times small, budget minded weddings or second weddings fall into this category. Just offer your services for no charge and the the couple can buy any prints that they may want afterwards. Most couples will jump at the opportunity because they have nothing to loose by letting you shoot the wedding.

2nd of February 2006 (Thu)	#6
lesleysmeshly Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 183 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to get your first Booking Sarah, How did you go about finding a pro to help out? I thought about sending letters around to studios in Vegas, but didn't know if that was a good idea..? __________________ Lesley Barr Photography Website Lesley Barr Photography Blog Gear List

3rd of February 2006 (Fri)	#7
SezzySue Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV (Born and Raised in Detroit, MI) Posts: 1,388 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to get your first Booking I went to people websites, explained my situation, and two replied as being able to help me. I only looked in the very close area to me, so I am sure there are meny more studios to look at. __________________ Sarah www.seibertphotography.com

3rd of February 2006 (Fri)	#8
antelopeslr5000 Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Posts: 147 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to get your first Booking I'm not too sure about the USAF but I was a serving memeber with the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) for 10 years and they have a mustering specifically for photographers. Does the USAF have anything similar? Maybe you could remuster and get a head start. __________________ Everyone has a photographic memory. It's just that some of us don't have any film... 5D + BG-E4, 10D + BG-ED3, TC-80N3, 16-35mm f/2.8L Mk II, 24-70mm f/2.8L, 70-200mm IS f/2.8L, 85mm f/1.2L Mk II, 580EX, CP-E3, Ranger RX Speed AS, Free Lite A Head (x2), Skyport Computer Remote/Trigger Set, Sekonic L-758D

5th of February 2006 (Sun)	#9
PIXI_666 Goldmember Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perth, WA, Australia Posts: 2,005	Re: How to get your first Booking I get all my gigs by word of mouth, it helps living in a well established community town, word gets around very quickly!!! Id suggest telling yoru friends and family, weddings are always around - and that's how i got a few of my bookings.... Del __________________ "Capturing, Creating & Preserving your memories" Adelle Cousins Photography www.adellecousins.com.au info@adellecousins.com.au

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