How to take your first steps into wedding photography
31 Mar 2016
Find your feet in wedding photography with this starter's guide by Photowhoa
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Whether you’re doing a favour for a friend on their big day, or it’s a burning passion waiting to be explored, taking your first steps in to wedding photography can be harder than it looks.
It takes a good eye and a wealth of experience to make your pictures memorable, and the ability to coordinate and manage people is key.
Hard work, determination and reams of enthusiasm can undoubtedly set you on the right track, but here are a few pointers from the experts at Photowhoa to help you get started.
1. Get a camera
With so much choice out there and a large expenditure at stake, it can be overwhelming when deciding on a camera that meets all the criteria. Read reviews, visit online forums and weigh up the pros and cons of every model; you will need a camera that can master the basics, but also a design that complements your way of working.
2. Research your target market
No matter how many marriages you have attended, never underestimate the vastness of the wedding industry. From dresses to décor and flowers to footwear, weddings can be a minefield of memories waiting to be captured. Take a tour of weddingsite.co.uk to get to grips with every aspect of the industry, participate in Twitter conversations such as #weddinghour and join social media platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram to tap into bridal trends. Get to know all about the wants and needs of engaged couples in order to gather a firm understanding of your clientele.
3. Check out the professionals’ work
The world of wedding photography is bursting with talent. It is a competitive career and making a name for yourself doesn’t come easy. Learn from the best and take a look at the work of wedding photographers around the world; not only will it give you ideas and inspiration, but it will open your eyes to the hard work and graft the professionals put in.
4. Book training
Training is paramount to ensure that you’re up to speed with at least the very basics of wedding photography. Here are a few online courses from Photowoah, designed to offer you the tips, tricks and techniques of the trade – which you can learn from the comfort of home:
Perfect Shot Wedding Photographer, $99 - Daniel Usenko, a veteran wedding photographer will share his photography secrets.
Make Money with Wedding Photography, $39 - Two wedding pros reveal their tactics to creating a profitable wedding photography business.
Presets Wedding Photographers, $15 – Speed up your post-wedding workflow, with these editing presets.
Free guides on professional photography tips
5. Get to know the couple
When you’ve got your first gig, it’s imperative that you hold a few meetings with the couple before the wedding day. Not only will you get a flavour for their character – their likes and dislikes – but it will build a two-way relationship that will work wonders at the wedding. The couple wants to know that they can trust you and similarly, you want to ensure that you do a good job for them. Make their wedding a day to remember, and sure enough word of mouth will spread like wildfire.
