Weddings, a way in?

[Winnie]

I am in a bit of a catch 22 at the moment. I want to start trying to pick up wedding work but I have zero experience in that field. So what is the best way to break into the business?

My website will be going live soon and I have advertised a basic wedding package to entice people in but I don't have any wedding shots to make them feel I can deliver. I have tried approaching wedding photographers in the local area but they don't want any help or just haven't replied. Quite rightly I guess as I would be competition at some point in the future.

So how can I get some experience to give me a foot in the door? Any ideas anyone?

Cheers

Alex

[Mark McCall]

Alex,
Good luck in your newfound profession.

There's an old saying...."you can't sell it if you don't show it".
You'll need work to display when meeting with a prospective bride.
I'd suggest doing some freebies to get the display images you need.
Put them into a quality album. Presentation is everything.

Display large images on your wall. A larger image is always a better image.

I wouldn't count on any help from the locals. You will be their competition soon.

[jgoeden]

Would you buy a house from an architech who's never drawn a house?

I don't mean to sound rude (I'm certainly not trying to be) just stating the plain truth.* Would you let someone who's never shot a wedding shoot <i><b>your</b></i> first wedding?

Try seeing if you can assist or follow a wedding pro from a few states over?* Might be a bit of a drive to shoot a few weekends with them but I think it'd be a good investment in your career.* Just like dropping money into tuition.* And they might feel less competitive if they know your home-of-residence is 4 states west, know what I mean?

Good luck in your endeavor and keep us posted on what you do!

Justin

[Mark McCall]

J

Originally Posted by jgoeden

Would you let someone who's never shot a wedding shoot <i><b>your</b></i> first wedding?

Although you and I probably wouldn't hire a non-pro to photograph our wedding, you'd be surprised at how many people would.
I know I had no trouble at all booking my first 3 weddings for free, with no experience at all. My 4th was for a fee of $200. By then, I had enough display material to keep them coming.
Hiring a first timer, or newbie is a right of passage for many new couples without the monetary support some have.
I do agree that working with a mentor will expedite the process. PPA members are bound by creed to help fellow photographers, even if they're just starting out.

[jgoeden]

Really bound by a creed? So if I search for a local photographer they should for the most part let me assist them or help me in finding someone to assist? If so, that's pretty cool!

[Winnie]

Thanks for the tips folks.

One thing I thought about doing was to hire some wedding clothes and ask some friends to dress up for me. Also I am going to get my little girl to dress up like a bridemaid too. Apart from that I am prepared to do a freebie if I can get some experience.

Maybe I will email a few wedding photographers from another county to see if I can assist them instead of aiming local. I was also considering going to a wedding fair and handing a few card out.

I'll keep you posted.

Cheers

Alex

[deluco]

I would try to find a mentor to assist with. Not always easy, but it's the best way to learn before going out on your own.

[Mark McCall]

I looked everywhere for the PPA Code of Ethics, but I can't find it.
I do remember a section stating something to the effect that member photographers are required to offer assistance to any budding photographer who asks.
Mentoring will be your best bet.

[Winnie]

Thanks Guys.

I have emailed a few more photographers away from my local area but no responses yet. How is it best to word it?

Cheers

Alex

[deluco]

The truth works best. Most photographers who use assistants will already have one. Keep trying every few months. You may want to join a local proffessional photography organization with affiliation to PPA. Then you will meet the local professionals. You don't have to be a full time professional to join and you will learn ALOT. Once in, you can network yourself into an assistant position.

[Mark McCall]

Originally Posted by Winnie

I have emailed a few more photographers away from my local area but no responses yet. How is it best to word it?

"Will work for free"

[wroberts]

We all know friends that are getting married. What I did was ask them if I could take a few pictures but making sure not to get in the Professional photographers way. I also got permission from the photographer if they would mind, and they did not. I was able to get really got shots of details but never got a shot of bride or groom. Off of this though I was able to let friends see them and word of mouth picked up. If you can get cards place them in restrants or little boutiques. Include your website on the cards. The most important things, KNOW YOUR EQUIPMENT, study, read up, during the wedding you attend watch and learn what the professional is doing and why. I write a plan of attack after talking with bride and groom, what pics in the order of most efficiency and we stuck to it as much as possible. Ask questions on the forum and don't get discouraged at the answers. Something I wasn't prepared for is that on that day people lose their ability to direct themselves. Lucky enough I had my wife there as a helper to get people in and out, here and there, do this and do that. Cheap labor! If you have more questions, keep on asking and we will keep on giving answers.

[Jules]

A few years ago a very good friend asked me to shoot his wedding.* Now, I am not a professional photographer and have never shot a wedding or any other event that would best be served by a professional photographer.* My friend could have easily afforded a true professional but explained he wanted everything about his wedding to be personal.* I couldn’t say no and began preparations months in advance.* My friend wanted to pay me but I would only accept payment for my direct costs, primarily film and batteries.* He took care of all the film processing.

I bought a book on weddings and other events photography, primarily because it contained an extensive checklist of photographs to be considered before, during and after a wedding ceremony.* I discussed with my friend and his wife-to-be what pictures would be most important to them and made a list.

I had all my equipment (Hasselblad and Nikon) cleaned and checked and created a plan for each piece of equipment in the event it failed.* While I never used it, I even had my wife’s old Minolta loaded and on standby just in case one of the Nikons failed.* And, I had the Nikons just in case the Hasselblad failed.* What, me worry?

I had plenty of film and fresh batteries and changed batteries at certain times even though it wasn’t necessary.

Fortunately, in spite of my trepidation, everything turned out well.* And while I only ever mentioned it to my wife, the only picture that might have been better was that of a Christmas tree outside their home where the reception was held.

My friend lives on a horse farm and one of the gifts was a large coniferous tree—maybe 8-feet in height.* The gift givers had decorated it beautifully with Christmas ornaments and lights and the tree was lit, although it was still in a root ball.* I got people to come outside for some photographs with the tree—it was late December in NJ and cold, but by then most were fairly well insulated with spirits. I took pictures of the bride and groom with others, including those who had given the gift.* Later, when I saw the photographs, I realized I could have used a cross-star filter, which would have certainly made the picture more interesting considering the elaborate decorations and lighting on the tree.

[Winnie]

Thanks for the tips folks.

This is gonna sound a bit sad but I don't have that many friends, there I said it! So the opportunities for me to shoot at a friends wedding are gonna be hard to come by. I did approach a couple who are getting married next year but I have a feeling they will back out of me going along to shoot. Most likely because the pro won't want me there.

I have some business cards printed and my website will be online soon hopefully. That should give off a more professional images at least.

Maybe I am trying to run before I can walk, I don't know. I will see how the next few months go with my portrait sessions.

Cheers

Alex

[wroberts]

Go that route then, take portraits of people; for free or for $ and sooner or later you will be asked to shoot wedding. In the mean time study up on it. Get your name out there

[nathanmann]

*IF* you intend to get into the field...
Investigate and join a local photography organization... or two.
(Local chapter of PPA, WPPA... even the local hobby/photography club may have some awsome experience)
It takes time... face time, elapsed time...to build a rapport with area professionals and earn their trust to the point they may be willing to open up and share, take you under their wings for a shoot or more. Joining and participating in the organizations will help more than coming out of the cold with a "I'd like to learn YOUR business"

Invest in education
- Local college or adult ed classes in photography, business, graphic arts
- Periodicals - pick up copies of different magazines in the field... subscribe to a few.
- Books - browse the bookstore shelves... both online and bricks-n-mortar... buy and read and practice
- Seminars - Attend annual seminars on the subjects...learn from the successful pros.
Plan a budget amount for education (monthly and annually) much as you should for food...or gear!