I’ve been a photographer for a while now, and have never shot a wedding. My friend is getting married in June, and I’m excited to take photos! I really want to get into wedding photography. I’ve seen that all the wedding studios near me won’t hire without a BA in photography, or a serious portfolio filled with wedding pictures. It’s really not possible for me to go back to school (i live on my own and need my current studio job to pay the rent-no time for school). The studio I work at right now doesn’t allow me to use anything I take in a personal portfolio. It wouldn’t matter much, though, because it’s a children’s studio. The closest shots to a wedding that I’d be able to show would be communions. So even if I COULD get permission to use the photos, I’m not sure it would even matter much. Most of my portfolio is nature shots, some portraiture, and band photography.
These are my pictures on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wintersazure/
Now that you have more than enough of my background history, are there any wedding photographers that can give me pointers about how to get started? I mean, I don’t think I can just up and start… who is going to hire someone that never shot a wedding? I live in Staten Island, NY, so it makes it even harder being as NYC is overflowing with photographers.
thanks guy for both of your answers! very helpful.
and to answer textual sodomy, i am most comfortable in low light without flash, as I shoot concerts without flash. the 50mm 1.4 i have is great for that, and with tax returns i’m planning on picking up either the 24 or 28mm f2.8
Tags: into, Photography, Wedding
Really? I think it has a lot to do with your location, I’ve shot many events and I don’t have a degree in photography, only an associate in film, but that’s different.
I would say just start taking pictures of weddings, ask someone you know if you could photograph the event, even if not as “the photographer” you know just for the heck of it, create your own wedding portfolio and show it to the studio. I find that very strange, that they won’t hire you because of the degree, a lot of the big names in photography and film out there never even finished High School.
Don’t work for a studio. You do NOT need a special degree in photography. It takes a lot of preparation and practice. You have to be ready for the moment. You can’t be fumbling around with settings because you will miss the shot. Most churches do not allow flash. Are you comfortable with that? Are you comfortable in low light conditions in a reception hall.
I started on my own. I did my friends mock wedding photos. They were already married, but they got dressed up again and we did outside shots. Build a portfolio. Brides want perfect pictures and will not hire you if you do not have work.
Advertise everywhere. There are bridal shows, salons, craiglist (BE CAREFUL), your local newspaper. Just keep building your portfolio, come up with packages, ect. Good luck!
I shot my first wedding last year and it was a blast. My photos came out pretty great (I have a 10 year design background) and I always tooled with cameras since before high school. I also shot my first headshots – you can see them at the start of my photo gallery here:
http://davidmartinezphotography.com/photography-portfolio.php
Now I’m struggling just to get in front of brides.. but the idea about the salons and bridal shows… that sounds promising. P.S. I use SMUGMUG for my online galleries too.
The general method is to assist a seasoned pro for a year or two. There are so many variables for different types of weddings and this is the best way to learn the ropes and develop a work flow. Wedding can be high pressure and because they are so important you won’t get a second chance. Assisting is the best way to assure you will know how to cover the event.