Wedding Photography
Becoming a Wedding Photographer
Photo by Jason Nelson
Although photography can be a very relaxing and peaceful hobby for many
people, it can be a high stress job for others. While there are
photojournalists who head into dangerous situations, or busy portrait
photographers who work with the world’s top models or celebrities, there are
also wedding photographers too.
Wedding photography is a high stress work environment? Whether you believe
it or not it is often extraordinarily stressful to meet the photographic
needs of a couple during their wedding day. Let’s first understand what it
takes to become a professional wedding photographer, however, and then we
can understand where pressure may appear in the work.
First, anyone who wants to focus strictly on weddings or similar events is
going to have to develop their own personal style and a few signature images
that appear in any set of wedding photos that they take. Additionally, it is
going to be impossible to jump into a career without having a portfolio of
existing images and work.
How does this happen? Most wedding photographers will provide free services
to friends or acquaintances on the road to their full-time career. They will
often take select images from this work to use as an example for potential
customers in the future. It is during this period in time that many
photographers begin to develop their own wedding photography style. Some
people will decide to work only in black and white, others may use special
filters or lighting techniques, and some may prefer to have just as many
candid shots as formally posed ones. The point is to find your strengths and
preferred approach and really dive into it.
Once you have developed your style, perfected your workflow (the way you
process or edit all pictures as they shift from your camera’s memory to your
computer), and begun to establish an online “presence” (which often includes
a blog or website, an account at a professional photo sharing site, and
pages at social networking sites) you can begin to market yourself as a
wedding photographer.
Remember, however, that all of the stylistic techniques in the world will
not satisfy a couple if the important shots are missed or not up to their
desired levels. This is where some of the strain can enter a professional
wedding photographer’s world. To eliminate this, it may be a good idea to
make a list of the mandatory shots, review the couple’s personal preferences
in regards to candid photos and those taken in hours leading up to the
ceremony, and also heading to the venue ahead of time to master the lighting
needs for the service and reception.
With a bit of patience, effort and work you can soon develop a great career
as a professional wedding photographer of distinction.
Article by...
Amy Renfrey
Digital Photographer, Digital Photography Teacher & Author
www.SuccessfulDigitalPhotography.com
