How did you get your first wedding?

Let's see. I was 22, and I asked someone to marry me. (Error 1) Later, I did it again (Error 2)

Then, my 2nd wife's relative asked her to shoot the event, she agreed, then told me I would be 'helping' and that the work would be a 'gift.'

Even though we were relatives, they sat us apart from everyone else and fed us last.

Fortunately, the bride is so preoccupied and self-absorbed that she never complained and never asked for prints (just copied to FB), and the groom is very busy looking busy looking for a j-o-b, so he never cared. Relatives, I gave instructions on download and directions to Walmart.

So as for photography, that was my first, last, and only wedding event I will ever shoot.

I bet you find people who started out knew someone getting married or moved into weddings from a related field via existing contacts. e.g. they shot seniors, senior eventually gets married.... they shot sports, kids eventually get married....

I was a guest at my sister's wedding...
her photog eventually saw the pics I took, and asked if I was interested in being a #2... did that for a bit and eventually just branched out on my own

First was a friend's wedding in the UK. Photography and album was my gift.
Did one more after that in the same vein the following year in the UK.

First paid wedding was not for another two years after that, in Australia. Fully insured etc for this one.

No second shooting experience or training.

A co-worker asked me to photograph her wedding.

My first was for a friend at work who knew I shot landscapes. He felt that my in photography experience would get him some nice stuff. I bought a new flash for the occasion but (never having used flash) never set my 35mm to the lightening bolt. Consequently the only images that weren't half image and half black were the outside shots where I didn't use the flash.
Needless to say, my first wasn't a good experience.

I was doing sports for the local paper for a pathetic $5 each. A girl I kinda sorta dated for a bit was watching her sister play and her then boyfriend's mother was getting married. I had no desire to do a wedding up until that point but compared to the max of $15 I would get for doing that volleyball game for the paper, $300 for a wedding was a dream.

I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemies now...

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First one was my son's as they were going to "not worry about pictures". My second was a friend of a friend of a friend....(bride is now my good friend and has brought me many clients) told me at a party she was getting married in two weeks but couldn't afford a photographer. I offered to shoot it and only provide a disc of photos they could do with what they wanted. I had only one camera and one lens........... They paid $100, bought me a fancy IPod radio, a gorgeous house plant, and as I said, many clients. I have gone on to shoot her niece's Senior photos, the birth of her new baby, two birthday parties, another wedding....yep....that was the best decision I ever made in regards to photography.

P.S I no longer have only 1 camera and one lens....

Gizmo1137 wrote in post #13121766
A co-worker asked me to photograph her wedding.

did your co-worker paid you for the shoot?

highway0691 wrote in post #13117160
For a friend - With a gun to my head.

Ditto.

Well technically I did my first one for my sister but that was when I had an XT and barely used it with knowledge. I'm not a successful pro but I am keen to learn more and am interested in the techniques and finesse. I won't be doing it for a living, or a side business, ever.

Through a flickr group. Saw someone seeking one, emailed them.

how do you guys deal with red eye issue if you shoot with speedlite on full frame camera?

picard wrote in post #13125375
how do you guys deal with red eye issue if you shoot with speedlite on full frame camera?

Photoshop, Bring Photographers out Off Their Trouble Since 1988

picard wrote in post #13124918
did your co-worker paid you for the shoot?

Yes, I was paid my regular charge at the time.

I haven't had red-eye in I don't know how many years...