I’ve invested years getting odd tips, finishing online courses, researching techniques, and now, I’m positive in sharing some of that knowledge with the world. Naturally, I’m still learning and will continue to get pointers for the rest of my career. For now, though, I’ll share some I wish I had understood earlier.
These ideas are more personal than technical. Other short articles out there will give you advice about off-camera flash exposure or some marketing tips. However, my three are things that I have actually found out on my personal journey in wedding photography, which might have conserved me cash or time over my career.
1. Don’t Get Bogged Down With Equipment
I’m heading straight into this with the equipment mistaken belief. A typical idea amongst people brand-new to weddings is that professionals carry great deals of gear.
I regularly have emails or messages from new or aspiring wedding event professional photographers asking if they can occur to a wedding event and acquire some experience. They often say: “I can assist you carry your bags.” It’s beautiful to be provided something in return for knowledge or experience, but the reality is this: I have no bags to continue a wedding day.
I’ve definitely been the person with the equipment. I have actually owned and sold more lenses and lighting paraphernalia than I remember. However these days, I’m a total minimalist. 2 Fujifilm X-T5 bodies, a Fujifilm 18mm f/1.8 and a Fujifilm 33mm f/1.8. With these, I can shoot the entire day. I normally take them inside the venue, leaving my bag in the automobile.
The photo listed below programs an uncommon picture of me, photographing a wedding, taken by my second photographer Max Sarasini. No bags, no insane pouches or cables. 2 electronic cameras, two primes, and take a look at how happy I am!
I keep two more lenses and some video lights in the cars and truck. All of it packs nicely into one bag, a Billingham Hadley One. I’ll collect this bag throughout the meal, where it will sit in the corner of the room.
My point is that I avoid getting slowed down with heavy or complicated equipment. I wish, when I was starting, I knew that I might shoot wedding events with far less equipment than I dragged around in a roller bag at the time.
You may discover that you need more gear than me for your design of wedding photography. I’m a candid, documentary-style photographer, so the story I’m shooting is far more essential than thinking of equipment or changing lenses. But possibilities are, you will eventually find out to make it through with far less than you believe.
2. Program What You Wished To Shoot
When I began on my journey into wedding photography, I understood I enjoyed storytelling photography. I liked documentary work even away from weddings, that of street photographers and people documenting real life. I discovered, however, that I took a couple of years to begin reserving customers who valued this side of my work.
They would say just how much they would love to shoot a long list of group photos in a specific location or would design a Pinterest board of crazy picture ideas. All I wanted to do was candid work. I knew the clients were out there who would appreciate this due to the fact that the photographers I appreciated worked simply in this way.
One of these photographers pointed out my concerns, which ought to have been apparent. My portfolio revealed these images, the groups and the periodic Pinterest pose. My site had plenty of photos that I didn’t take pleasure in making. So, why did I have staged photos on my home page if I wished to shoot purely unstaged pictures? It was due to the fact that I thought this was what people wanted to see, and obviously, some individuals do. These people, nevertheless, are not the clients I want to bring in.
Harder than I thought it would be, I commence just showing photos that I enjoyed making. However, it can bring us out of our convenience zone to remove a technically outstanding image or one which has received favorable criticism. For you, that could be a mixture of high-end portraits, documentary work, or whatever you want.
I now just reveal candid work on my website, and I yell from the rooftops that this is what my couples are booking me to produce. It’s ended up being a specific niche, so my customers now appreciate me for my design, and I attract the people who desire these images.
3. It’s Hard Work
Ok, I understand you don’t all think that our task is simple. However lots of, many ambitious professional photographers see wedding events as easy money. They picture a world where they work their day job during the week and earn countless pounds (or dollars) at the weekend shooting the odd wedding. They see people doing well, making lots and think that just pertained to them easily.
If you want to master wedding photography, you actually require to strive and put in the hours and effort. Shooting cheaper wedding events as a part-time task will have some perks, but eventually, most photographers will want to take it further and might be anxious about making the dive to full-time. If wedding events are where you choose to spend your time, this job has some wonderful advantages, just don’t be entitled. You require to work for them.