Wedding photography and looking sharp?

Hi guys, i'm a second shooter for a wedding photographer and I plan on going into it full time. The thing is, i'm in the process of changing how I dress. I'm now wearing more trousers and formal shirts and I might add a blazer with a pair of oxfords or derbys. My question is, how can I stay sharp and professional while not overdoing it dress-wise.

Just for the record, i've decided to changed my wardrobe for several reasons.

1. I'm trusted more easily
2. People are way more respectful and courteous
3. People take me serious

All of which are good for business

Let me know how you guys dress to a wedding as a photographer.

Hiking shoes. Red cargo pants. Business branded Polo shirt.

Heya,

Totally depends on venue.

My last, I wore tan trousers & a tan vest with a white button up underneath & sleeves rolled up and a dark blue tie pinned under the vest. Sharp for any occasion, maintain dexterity of limbs, not overly heavy or hot to wear. I have a navy blue & grey setup just like that for when I need a darker color.

Very best,

valdano wrote in post #17950767
Hi guys, i'm a second shooter for a wedding photographer and I plan on going into it full time. The thing is, i'm in the process of changing how I dress. I'm now wearing more trousers and formal shirts and I might add a blazer with a pair of oxfords or derbys. My question is, how can I stay sharp and professional while not overdoing it dress-wise.

Just for the record, i've decided to changed my wardrobe for several reasons.

1. I'm trusted more easily
2. People are way more respectful and courteous
3. People take me serious

All of which are good for business

Let me know how you guys dress to a wedding as a photographer.

I think you're definitely on the right track and after years in the business I agree with your three points. You've hit the nail on the head.

Some may say that people should treat you the way you are and not so much how you dress but the fact is this is a very intense PR business. There is some very nice sharp casual wear that will also be perfectly acceptable but there's nothing wrong with the direction you wish to take. Just don't dress at the expense of personal comfort.

I usually wear a sport coat and tie and sometimes a suit, but nothing overly fancy. These are long potentially tiring days and if you are hurtin' and uncomfortable that could have a negative impact on the quality of your work. Just my .02; good luck with the new direction

This season I have given up the white dress shirt for a black Polo with a small business logo on the chest. Black slacks and dress shoes. The black Polo does not require being tucked in either.

This first wedding in this attire was so much more comfortable. We have nicer attire if needed for specific venues or clients. As a big guy I need to be comfortable to work 8+ hours.

Thanks guys. Interesting views on outfits. That's right Sapearl, I know it shouldn't be based on appearance but as you said, it's a very intense PR business. I'm gonna buy a nice pair of tan chukkas to pair with my tan leather belt and watch, and wear light colour branded shirts and probably savy blue or black pants.

sapearl wrote in post #17951120
I think you're definitely on the right track and after years in the business I agree with your three points. You've hit the nail on the head.

Some may say that people should treat you the way you are and not so much how you dress but the fact is this is a very intense PR business. There is some very nice sharp casual wear that will also be perfectly acceptable but there's nothing wrong with the direction you wish to take. Just don't dress at the expense of personal comfort.

I usually wear a sport coat and tie and sometimes a suit, but nothing overly fancy. These are long potentially tiring days and if you are hurtin' and uncomfortable that could have a negative impact on the quality of your work. Just my .02; good luck with the new direction

Excellent advice! A sport coat and tie and sometimes a suit... that's what the more senior guest feel more comfortable associating with.

seres wrote in post #17951398
Excellent advice! A sport coat and tie and sometimes a suit... that's what the more senior guest feel more comfortable associating with.

Thanks! And actually some of the not-so-senior guests appreciate that too

sapearl wrote in post #17951552
Thanks! And actually some of the not-so-senior guests appreciate that too

Hahaha yes, like myself

I use to wear a black polo, dark jeans and a pair of black sneakers (for comfort) but It felt like a challenge getting through to people. A sports coat should surley seal the deal with a nice outfit.

I see pros at the DC Temple all the time, always wearing black, head to toe, nice jackets. These are pros. Then there are others who don't know about the dress expectations. When I shoot there, I wear black also, but I wear a skirt and I have comfy black sneakers I can wear with a skirt.

To look professional, you do have to mix in with the crowds. Sometimes I see pros with black long sleeved polo shirts with their company logo done very tastefully in small letters to identify themselves, but they still wear a black jacket.

Whatever you decide, a decent investment in good, long-wearing clothes is well worth it.

I went to a wedding thinking I was dressed okay, but I did not realize it was going to be very hot that day. I wish I had invested in clothes for hot days.

valdano wrote in post #17951583
Hahaha yes, like myself

I use to wear a black polo, dark jeans and a pair of black sneakers (for comfort) but It felt like a challenge getting through to people. A sports coat should surley seal the deal with a nice outfit.

I hear you . There are times when a black polo is the right "uniform" for the job and I have nothing against those items. It's just that for my own clientele the more traditional wear has worked quite well. I will lose the tie at times but some situations have even called for the gentleman's bowler hat.

A few months ago I shot a Downton Abbey Tea for the local PBS station and the bowler was just the right touch. I'm the gent on the far right.

Not a wedding pro, but, in a similar sort of business, so I wear lightweight dark business trousers ( cooler to wear/dry quickly if the weather turns/looks professional), black trainers/sneakers ( comfort and don't stand out, very flat feet! ) a dress shirt with discrete branding (professional/PR/ident​ity/authority ) and no tie ( forever getting in the way!! ). If it's a posh do I'll wear shoes, but still no tie, a cravat instead. Always temped to wear one of the old style tan photographers multi pocketed waistcoats for instant access to batteries/cards/cloth/​blower, but, haven't yet.....

Wow. Looking dapper Sapearl. I too don't have any real issues with polo's. I just wish the clients thought so too. I'll never forget going to a wedding in I never cared about what people thought) and one of the guests pulled me aside to ask me why I wore a t-shirt and stated that I looked odd and unprofessional and underdressed for the occasion. Of course I respectfully told her thhat it was a matter of comfort and being on my feet for 8 hours etc, but that has scared me to a certain extent, when thinking of wearing a polo shirt nowadays.

By the way, nice hat.

@WelshWizard - Yes a friend recommended the waistcoat to me. Today is a holiday where I live, so ai have it on my to-do list for tomorrow to check them out.

no way i would shoot an event in a sport coat. I need to be able to move around freely and a sport coat is too restrictive.

I wear a tie and no coat for the most formal things I shoot.

Downton Abbey is my favorite. Too bad it finished, but it ended great. Love the picture.

Jackets not required for some venues, but in some formal settings, haven't seen a shooter without one. I love formal occasions I am a guest, not shooting. I love getting portraits of myself with great lighting that I cannot afford or have time to set up.