Wedding photography is an extremely rewarding line of work – not only do you get to make a living taking amazing photos, but you get to be a part of the most exciting day of a couple’s life, and feel the satisfaction of capturing this important day for them to relive over and over through their beautiful photos. But while wedding photography can be fun, it’s also hard work. Find out what you’re in for with photographer Eleanor Maguire’s list of 7 things you need to know before you take the plunge.
1. Know your gear and have backups
This could be stating the obvious – but you shouldn’t really consider shooting weddings until you know how to use your camera properly. Wedding photographs are some of the most precious memories a couple will have of their day and they can never be shot again. You need to know which settings are best for which situations and you usually only have moments to get the perfect shots, which means you have to be able to think and act quickly. Back up equipment is equally important – you never know what will go wrong and you need to be prepared for anything.
2. Practice, practice, practice
Another vitally important point – assist other wedding photographers as often as you can. Offer to second shoot for free so you can learn from a pro. You will learn so much. I have heard that some wedding photographers assisted for years before they started out on their own.
3. Get a second shooter
Two hands are better than one, or in this case – two shooters! Having a second shooter on the day is another pair of eyes that will capture different angles and shots, as they see things differently to you. They also assist with the formal shots during the day (for example, straightening the brides dress or adjusting bouquet heights) and can help you maintain a calm and organised schedule.
4. Be prepared for the time commitment
Wedding photography requires a huge amount of work. Not just the wedding day or post-production, but everything that happens before and after the wedding – email correspondence, answering questions, facilitating schedules, shooting, editing, preparing and providing images and other products.
5. Mental and physical exhaustion are par for the course
Weddings are mentally and physically exhausting. They are usually at least 8 hours of shooting and can be up to 14 or more hours. That time requires pretty much continuous mental and physical effort, as you are following the bride and groom around, documenting their experiences. The next day you will need the whole day to recover from the “wedding hangover”. Carrying around so much gear plays havoc with your back and shoulders – I often need to book in for a massage the day after a wedding. You need to handle all of this and manage to remain positive and cheery at every moment!
6. Be prepared for the unexpected
One priceless piece of advice – things can go wrong, and they will – but they can be the best parts of the day. In almost every wedding I’ve been involved in, something has gone wrong! The groomsman’s suit still has the security tag on his jacket, the flower girl has a tantrum during the ceremony, the bad weather arrives just when the ceremony finishes. Some of these moments can send everyone into panic mode but they can create the best images. Try to capture them to create some extremely unique images that sum up the day really well.
7. Have fun and enjoy every minute of it
Weddings are about celebrating – they should be fun. Photographing weddings is such a wonderful experience. Yes it’s tough, you are working – and hard – but it is completely fulfilling as well. The most important thing is that you have a realistic expectation of what it takes to be successful and you will enjoy the journey.
Hopefully this gives you an idea on what is involved in becoming a wedding photographer and answers some of your questions. Good luck with your photographic journey!
El lives in Sydney’s Hills District with her husband and four children. She shoots natural light photography with a passion for wedding photography and newborn, children & family portraits. El’s photography venture began in her teens but like many other photographers, once her children were born her obsession with photography increased along with the desire to pursue her passion. Soon after, Eleanor Maguire Photography began.
