Once in while I receive e-mails or phone calls from aspiring or beginner wedding photographers asking me for advise on how to become successful in the wedding field. My first question is always what their motivation is to become a wedding photographer. Some will reply that they heard from somebody that it is easy money, or that they got a cool camera that takes great photos or that they would like to make some money on the side etc. While it is true that wedding photography can be a very profitable business achieving success in the wedding industry is not just a matter of getting a camera and start shooting. Wedding photography involves artistic talent, human sense, complete mastery of photographic techniques, business knowledge, and a strong desire to learn and deliver the best to the wedding couple.
Here I have summarized some points that I believe will guide beginner wedding photographers:
1. Learn photography before anything else. A wedding photographer is expected to be a master of the craft. You will be in charge of capturing people's most precious life moments. The wedding day is not the place to learn photography.
2. Just because you got a brand new camera it does not automatically make you an effective and reliable photographer. Photography goes beyond cool toys and gadgets. Learn composition and develop a unique artistic vision. Some of the great photographs of all time were taken with manual cameras.
3. Master the digital workflow, including color management, digital image processing, file management and image correction and enhancement.
4. Learn to love photography more than anything else. Don't come to the wedding photography field with just dreams of making money. It is true that there are many successful wedding photographers that make a lot of money. However according to the Professional Photographers of America the average photographer in America makes about $24,000 a year.
5. Focus on delivering quality more than quantity. Seek with all your heart to capture unique photographs.
6. Develop a style that is recognizable and unique. Don't try to be like somebody else. Clients look for unique photographers, with a unique vision.
7. Give wedding photography all your heart and effort. Long when you are gone your photographs will last forever. It is a great way to be remembered.
8. Open your heart and your mind and great photos will happen. Concentrate on the human aspect of weddings, the details, and emotions and be ready to capture them. Let the camera become an extension of you.
9. Share your technical knowledge and make connections with other wedding photographers.
10. Participate in wedding photography image competitions. It will give you the opportunity to have your work evaluated by peers and the motivation to improve your work quality.
11. Learn something new everyday. Take advantage of professional photography organizations such as Professional Photographers of America (PPA), WPPI, etc. Attend their seminars, workshops. Participate in Internet wedding photography forums and learn and share tips, tools and techniques.
12. Don't neglect the business aspect of wedding photography. Learn to manage your business effectively. Take business courses and seminars.
Juan Carlos Torres is a very respected and awarded wedding photographer in Oregon. He has a Masters Degree in Remote Sensing with a strong background in digital image processing and photography. He is a member of the several professional photographer organizations including the Professional Photographers of America, the Professional Photographers of Oregon, the Wedding Photojournalist Association,and the Oregon Wedding Photo Guild. His wedding photographs are unique and very artistic and have been featured in national and international magazines. For a sample of his works please visit portland oregon wedding photographer and portland oregon wedding photographer
For a discussion on wedding photography see our Blog at portland oregon wedding photographer
move in cleaning service Mundelein ..So you have bought a camcorder and have shot some... Read More
Infrared photography is sometimes placed on the outside edge of... Read More
Choosing the right digital camera for general use can be... Read More
Point and click. The new life of digital cameras gives... Read More
Let's get something straight right out of the box. If... Read More
We all want to make the most of our wedding... Read More
It doesn't matter if your emailing photos of your grandson... Read More
Using a digital camera to take pictures is great. It's... Read More
Sometimes, usual photographs look so common and boring. Converting your... Read More
Remember the good old photography days?Film camera in hand, you... Read More
Demystifying Digital Camera JargonWant to buy a digital camera but... Read More
IntroductionModern cameras are highly automatic in operation. They have auto... Read More
So you are a small business person or web designer... Read More
One of the oldest companies, Olympus has had a long... Read More
George Eastman, founder of Kodak is world renowned today. Digital... Read More
Photography comes from the Greek words meaning "light writing" and... Read More
Family vacations, summer weddings and family reunions are in full... Read More
Before you are able to take the kind of photos... Read More
Early cameras of the 16th and 17th century were able... Read More
There is a wide world of photography. It touches each... Read More
Knowing which megapixel camera to buy can be intimidating. There... Read More
Reality TV is experiencing an upsurge in popularity and its... Read More
Think about Laurel and Hardy for a moment, or Charlie... Read More
Reflected Light Readings for Film and Digital ImagesIn order to... Read More
Here's the challenge. You have to photograph small items for... Read More
insured cleaning company Highland Park ..The Vacation Season is fast approaching and naturally you will... Read More
So you have this great digital camera and you've taken... Read More
Started in a single-room by three Japanese men in the... Read More
One of the biggest debates in the photography world is... Read More
While digital photography offers you the ability to review photograph... Read More
So, you want to become a digital artist but paying... Read More
Anyone with the right camera equipment, and the necessary skills... Read More
Digital Camera Basics? The VocabularyShopping for a digital camera can... Read More
Digital cameras are available in several price ranges today. They... Read More
Probably one of the most common problems you will be... Read More
A few years ago I became interested in digital photography,... Read More
There are many kinds of disposable cameras. All disposable cameras... Read More
If you are buying a new underwater camera or video... Read More
Have you read the manual that came with your digital... Read More
Like many people who've made the switch from film cameras... Read More
Are you having megapixel envy each time you walk by... Read More
Wholesale disposable cameras are disposable cameras bought in quantity. Bulk... Read More
HP has started making digital cameras only recently. However, the... Read More
Setting up your own photography business it easy, you don't... Read More
Anyone with the right camera equipment, and the necessary skills... Read More
It doesn't matter if your emailing photos of your grandson... Read More
So you have this great new camera. Now you're standing... Read More
1. Myth: Digital photos are pixilated or fuzzy. Reality: most... Read More
You are anxious to purchase your new digital camera! You... Read More
With such a fantastic device as the digital camera for... Read More
Photography |