Hi, I’m a senior in high school and i’ve been really interested in photography for years. I take pictures of people all the time, and I think a good career for that would be wedding photography. I’ve heard some bad things about it, like the weekend hours. But can someone tell me some positives? Or other good careers involved with photography that would suite me.
Tags: About, give, negatives, Photography, positives, some, someone, Wedding
Freelancers don’t care about work hours. Un-till and unless you are flooded with offers , take what ever comes your way. It would only add to the experience.
Being a wedding photographer isn’t usually a “career”. Most of the people I know do it on the side. Its an awesome side job. As for the hours, at first you probably wouldn’t get alot of shoots (unless you are super popular amongst engaged couples
. My advice would be to try it out and go as a second photographer to a wedding. See how you like it. For most photographers they love taking photos and usually thats enough to outweight the negatives (though honestly I can’t think of any negatives). All I see are positives. Doing something you love and getting paid for it. Also you make good money for weddings. I hope that helped.
You should enjoy dealing with people first and foremost. Both the good and the not so good. Bridezillas do exist, although my experience has been overwhelmingly the opposite with my brides. Those horror stories on TV can be true. You have to be organized, insightful, prepared to handle almost any wedding emergency, be a counselor, keep the time clock, soothe frayed nerves, prod reluctant people into participating (and liking it!) and be psychic all while keeping your eye and lens on everything that is happening at two or three different locations.
It takes a lot of practice to become proficient at shooting weddings. Plan on interning for a while rather than getting that practice on clients.
The money outlay for gear is size-able, and with digital on-going. You need good stuff, and two or more of everything you use. I have three main camera bodies and three flashes (actually four) In some things you need backups for the backup. $$$
Weekends. U haz to wurk on dem.. Especially during the spring and summer months, and around holidays. I have shot weddings on the 4th of July four years out of five. And I am a weekend warrior!
Long, demanding days where you are constantly on your feet, kneeling, crouching, climbing etc while hanging twenty pounds of cameras and flashes around your neck. A typical wedding photographer’s day may start well before noon and run on into the wee hours of the next morning.
Business organization. Plan on taking a few business classes, hiring a lawyer to make your contract, and a CPA to advise you on taxes. More businesses fail because of lack of planning the boring financial stuff rather than lack of talent in the photography part.
My favorite perks? Wedding cake! Getting to share one of the most important days in a lifetime with (mostly) happy people. Presenting the B&G with their day captured in images. It is fun and rewarding, and stressful at times. It ain’t for every one, even skilled photographers. I enjoy it, and you might, too. Best wishes in your future.