Wedding photography has become an increasingly popular activity for photographers, and there are many reasons for this. Firstly, weddings are very special occasions, so it’s important to get it right. Secondly, they’re very popular – so there is a great demand for wedding photographs. Thirdly, they offer fantastic opportunities for photographers to show their creativity and artistic side. And finally, they’re often very rewarding – both financially and creatively – because of all these reasons.
But how do you get started? How do you find your niche in this lucrative industry? What sort of equipment do you need? Where do you start?
Here are some tips that might help you on your way:
1. Find out who’s going to be getting married. It doesn’t matter if it’s a friend or a family member, but you need to know who it is. You can then find out what they want from their photographer, and what they don’t want. If you can get a list of people’s requirements, it will make it easier for you to decide which type of photography to do.
2. Find out where the wedding is going to take place. This might sound obvious, but sometimes people get so caught up in the planning of the wedding itself that they forget to consider where the wedding is actually going to take place. If it’s going to be held at a church, then you’ll need to check whether you need any special permissions. If it’s going to take place outdoors, then you’ll need to decide whether you need to rent or buy suitable equipment.
3. Decide what kind of photography you want to do. You can choose to specialize in portraits, formal or informal photographs, or even wedding albums. Some people also choose to combine all three. If you decide to combine them, then you’ll need to make sure that the bride and groom are comfortable with the idea of having photos taken of them at different times during the day.
4. Decide what kind of camera you want to use. There are lots of options available, including digital SLR cameras, compact digital cameras, and film cameras. Make sure you choose one that you feel comfortable using.
5. Decide whether you want to use flash. This is another very important decision, as flash photography can be distracting to the bride and groom. Some people think that it’s best to avoid flash altogether, while others prefer it. The key thing is to make sure that you get enough light into the scene, without causing any problems for the couple.
6. Decide whether you want professional help. If you’re not sure about what to do, you could hire a professional photographer to help you out. But if you’re not sure whether you need professional help, then you may want to consider getting some advice first.
7. Decide whether you want a portfolio. If you’re new to the business, then you may want to create a portfolio. A portfolio will give potential clients a chance to see your work. It will also give you a chance to show off your creative side, and show how much experience you have.
8. Decide whether you want an album. Some people choose to produce a wedding album. This will include a selection of photographs that are printed onto paper, along with captions written by the photographer. Other people choose to have digital images produced, and then have them put together into an online album.
9. Decide whether you want the photos published. If you don’t want the photographs published, then you may want to make sure that you get copies of the negatives. Otherwise, you may want to consider selling them.
10. Decide whether you want your pictures copyrighted. If you don’t want your photographs copyrighted, then you won’t have to worry about the rights issues that come with it. However, if you do want to copyright your photographs, then you’ll need to ensure that you get a copy of the copyright form.
These are just some of the things that you should consider when deciding whether to go into the wedding photography business. As you can see, there are lots of things to think about, and you’ll need to do plenty of research before you start.