6 Tips to Becoming a Professional Wedding Photographer

So, you’re going shoot your first wedding. Maybe you’ve been hired, or maybe your doing it for a friend on a budget. Either way you want to get great results, have good referrals for the future, and make the clients super happy!

So what do you look for? What about wedding photography is so intimidating, and how should you take on this challenging but rewarding type of photography?

1. Don’t Oversell Yourself.
If your just getting started with weddings don’t pretend to be something your not. Chances are the reason your shooting their day, is because it’s not in the budget to hire someone who’s experienced with weddings! That’s OK, and an opportunity for you. If you feel it’s too much, then let them know and maybe get someone else to help. Chances are however that your thinking “I can handle it fine” That’s cool, but be realistic, and remember you can’t do a retake of a wedding.

2. Do your Homework
If you lack experience with weddings do some research. Take the time to read a few books and get a feel for what is expected of you at the wedding. A couple books you might check out are Digital Wedding Photography, The Complete Guide to Professional Wedding Photography, and The Wedding Photographers Handbook. There’s many more, just search around on Amazon.

If it makes you more comfortable, have the bride give you a list of shots she really wants, but don’t expect the couple to know everything you need to shoot. Once you know your way around you’ll probably outgrow lists for the most part, since you’ll already know what to shoot and when. Also take the time to look at great wedding pictures from other photographers and note what you like and dislike about their images.
3. Be Personable
Don’t be a stiff. You may be nervous, but be happy, be friendly, and have fun along with the rest. Stay sober, but don’t be afraid to join in on eating, talking, etc. Be a part of the wedding day! Just remember to stay on your toes, and always be watching for those great shots.

4. Watch For The Moments.
There’s various styles of wedding photography you may be leaning towards and that’s OK. One thing that’s always important however is to watch for those moments. Kisses, smiles, laughter and all that good stuff. People really don’t want to see pictures of each other standing around looking bored, and this is a common mistake for inexperienced wedding shooters.

At first you may have have a hard time knowing where and when to look for great moments, but in time you’ll find it everywhere. You’ll even learn to help it along a bit!

5. Be A Real Pro.
Last but not least… Being a professional is more than just taking good pictures. Communication is key. Don’t constantly hassle your client, but make them feel at ease. Show you care and stay in contact before and after the wedding.

If you want to be a pro in any given field you have to act like one. Make sure your dates, times, contracts (see this thread) etc are in good order, get the client their images in reasonable time, and make sure those images gets backed up ASAP. If you can’t backup properly your not worthy to be a wedding photographer.

6. Take Time To Edit
If that means Lightroom Presets, Photoshop Actions, or just good old fashion sorting and touch up, then do it. Don’t be one of those photographers who hands the couple a disk of 3000 unedited images, most of which are bad. Cull out the bad one’s (we all get them) and however your giving the images to your client do it with a little style.

A wedding photography business can be rewarding, but remember that taking care of the customer is the key to more work. You better not be afraid of work either, cause a photography business is 80% business and 20% shooting!

Happy Shooting…
Gavin Seim… Wedding & Portrait Photographer