How to start with it...?

Hey all!

I need some serious advice.

I would like to start with weddings for real. Until now I had the opportunity to do 3 or 4 weddings, so it's not much really and I don't have too much good materials to show in my portfolio (I'm not speaking about the quality).
I have just couple photos which I really like, and the rest I prefer to leave in my folders to not to repeat too much shots of the same people and the same places...

I have a lot of portrait photos, because I am doing these since 2009 and I've done plenty of modeling photoshoots. But never had too many occasions for wedding sessions.

What would you do, to start somehow?

I would start by trying to become a second shooter for an established wedding photographer. May have to sign a non-compete clause though?

I hope you don't mind my clarifying something--but have you shot any weddings as a main photographer ?

Digital Story wrote in post #16942324
Hey all!

I need some serious advice.

I would like to start with weddings for real. Until now I had the opportunity to do 3 or 4 weddings, so it's not much really and I don't have too much good materials to show in my portfolio (I'm not speaking about the quality).
I have just couple photos which I really like, and the rest I prefer to leave in my folders to not to repeat too much shots of the same people and the same places...

I have a lot of portrait photos, because I am doing these since 2009 and I've done plenty of modeling photoshoots. But never had too many occasions for wedding sessions.

What would you do, to start somehow?

Digital Story wrote in post #16942324
... and I don't have too much good materials to show in my portfolio (I'm not speaking about the quality).
I have just couple photos which I really like,...

What "quality" are you referencing? You may not be ready to shoot a one time event where you can't reshoot a important situation that isn't going to happen again? "quality" has to be there in every shot that you deliver.
And do you have back-up equipment? A back-up photographer if you get sick & can't shoot the event? Liability insurance?

If all you want is to ramp up on your portfolio quickly without caring how much your work is valued..... there's always the Weddings by Craigslist.

Seriously? Craigslist???

Try signing on with a wedding studio. In Chicago theres a company called GeorgeStreet photo and video. Google them if you'd like. Look for something like that near you and start as a second shooter. You'll learn a lot just by watching the first shooters.

I don't see any issue with craiglist. Portfolio above cash at this stage.

CameraMan wrote in post #16946798
Seriously? Craigslist???

Try signing on with a wedding studio. In Chicago theres a company called GeorgeStreet photo and video. Google them if you'd like. Look for something like that near you and start as a second shooter. You'll learn a lot just by watching the first shooters.

I have never understood the obsession with having to second shoot first. It simply isn't necessary for some people.

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #16946977
I don't see any issue with craiglist. Portfolio above cash at this stage.

A lot of those people will admittedly give you a card and will want it back before you leave. Hence, no photos for you. For little to no pay. I'm seeing a lot of that lately.

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #16947483
I have never understood the obsession with having to second shoot first. It simply isn't necessary for some people.

Sometimes no one will hire someone with no experience as a first or second shooter. If you can get gigs from family and want to do photography as a gift (I've done that 5 or 6 times in the beginning) then thats a great alternative way to start.

CameraMan wrote in post #16947655
Sometimes no one will hire someone with no experience as a first or second shooter. If you can get gigs from family and want to do photography as a gift (I've done that 5 or 6 times in the beginning) then thats a great alternative way to start.

Looking at the OP's facebook page they don't need practice nor to "learn" as such (and they've shot weddings before too)... they just need wedding gigs to expand the portfolio in the wedding genre.

In which case ABSOLUTELY Craigslist or something similar is the way to go. As Christopher already pointed out the OP needs the portfolio over cash. You only need a few 3 hour or so coverage weddings (free or not charging much) and you have just massively increased your available portfolio. A much faster and more efficient way to expand your portfolio than second shooting (where you may not even be able to use the pictures to advertise your own business anyway).

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #16944686
I hope you don't mind my clarifying something--but have you shot any weddings as a main photographer ?

I did. 3 or 4. That's not much really, that's why I don't have enough materials to show in my folio (as I simply don't wanna duplicate faces, places, etc - I prefer less from each event, but more varied).

I know the best way to expand is friends (and their friends) who are getting married, but unfortunately there was not many people which I know.

I would like to avoid being a "second shooter" as possibly there would be no chance to use the photos for personal portfolio (unless this would be possible, then why not).

I also know, that making advertisements like "I do your wedding for free" makes you problems (with other photographers, who are mad at you, and with other future clients, who would also like to get their weddings covered for free).

Even 1 wedding combined with your portrait work should be enough to get you started.

There's something slightly odd about your having shot 3-4 but suggesting you don't have enough photos to make up a portfolio. Do the shots you've taken at those weddings not accurately represent your abilities ?

The fact that you seem to exhibit a decent understanding of light combined with your ability to create a portrait (I think I had a glance at your FB page a few days ago) suggests you don't really HAVE to second shoot at all. Like Peter (above) I've never second shot but have done 70+ weddings.

Digital Story wrote in post #16956344
I did. 3 or 4. That's not much really, that's why I don't have enough materials to show in my folio (as I simply don't wanna duplicate faces, places, etc - I prefer less from each event, but more varied).

I know the best way to expand is friends (and their friends) who are getting married, but unfortunately there was not many people which I know.

I would like to avoid being a "second shooter" as possibly there would be no chance to use the photos for personal portfolio (unless this would be possible, then why not).

I also know, that making advertisements like "I do your wedding for free" makes you problems (with other photographers, who are mad at you, and with other future clients, who would also like to get their weddings covered for free).

For the last 5 years or so I'm lucky to show anymore than the last wedding I did and whatever is on the walls in the studio which isn't a great number of pics. Wouldn't be a problem If I was limited to showing shots from 3 or 4 weddings.

I usually just show the last wedding I did on the computer because that's what's handy. When I had printed folios I hadn't updated them in years anyway. The main reason I was lazy but there was an indisputable kickback in that I was still able to book jhobs at a high percentage rate and when they saw their pics they were always better than what they expected. Calssic case of the old Underpromise and over deliver.

Of course I have booked loads of weddings where I didn't even show the couple any shots other than what they could see on the wall. They saw friends albums I did or were in bridal partys so convincing them of the quality of my work was not the issue. I have even booked several weddings now at parties or functions and the couple NEVER saw a single Image I have shot.

If you are confident and know how to sell yourself, people know you are good. The trick is to convey you are on their level and understand what they want and that you can deliver it. Showing a ship load of pics dosen't nessacarily meet that criteria.

Personaly, I can't see why being limited to the pics from 3-4 weddings should be a problem. Certainly wouldn't worry me if that's all I could use if they were the last ones I shot.

I think you need to spend more time thinking about what the cleints really want to see and hear from you. Without doubt, it's going to be that you understand their wants and desires and can come up with ideas and input to fulfil their expectations and hopes as well as be someone they are going to enjoy sharing their day with them.