Mixed responses on wedding photography

[Patty]

I've been considering investing in some decent equipment and doing wedding photography. Some people tell me it's a bad industry because it's almost impossible to break into, cheap photographers have undercut the pros and others say it's good money. Now before i go and spend a lot of cash and make a mistake im busy doing research in the feasability of this. Please can somebody give me a VERY HONEST opinion?

Thanks

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Lots of hobbiests and bored housewives in the industry so it makes it harder to make a name for yourself. But that does not mean its impossible.

We used someone who did photography as a hobby and she was amazing. She went pro soon afterwards.

Best advice is not to rely on the money. Don't even think of paying off any of your equipment in the beginning but don't work for free either. Not so sure what going rates are but we paid R2500 for 200 prints, 1000 photos on disc and that was 6 years ago. This included photoshop post processing.

Same year my brother in law paid a professional R6500 for his daughters wedding for less than 100 photos, he was pissed. This did not include any post processing of photos.

 

[Hamster]

(Weeding) Photography seems to be the go to profession these days. It might be because all you need is a camera and a ripped version of PhotoShop to get going

While in university I helped out my friend/class mate doing part time wedding photography over the weekends (free food ).

My friend who lives in PE also bought himself a camera (he is a rep by day). He and the SO are going to do photography part-time for extra moola and guess what: weddings are top of the list.

So ja, if you are good you can make some decent cash and a lot of people are trying to do the same thing.

 

[Polymathic]

You have to let your work speak for itself, the key is never advertise your price, I personally wouldn't sell prints unless it's really big prints and set no limit on pics you deliver, Make it clear that yes they can get cheaper photographers but they won't get pictures of your quality. Drive it home to them that this is a once in a lifetime event and the risks of hiring the cheapest photographer for the job

 

[bwana]

I've been considering investing in some decent equipment and doing wedding photography. Some people tell me it's a bad industry because it's almost impossible to break into, cheap photographers have undercut the pros and others say it's good money. Now before i go and spend a lot of cash and make a mistake im busy doing research in the feasability of this. Please can somebody give me a VERY HONEST opinion?

Thanks

Have you ever shot a wedding from start to finish, even as a second photographer for an established wedding photographer?

 

[Patty]

Have you ever shot a wedding from start to finish, even as a second photographer for an established wedding photographer?

I just got married recently and did observe the photographer closely as I have always been keen. So no, not yet.

 

[bwana]

I just got married recently and did observe the photographer closely as I have always been keen. So no, not yet.

Maybe ask the photographer you used if you can shadow him/her for a wedding. Tell him all the images are his/hers if he/she wants them (most will expect this anyway). Offer to carry bags, hold lights, reflectors, etc.

 

[Sensorei]

There is money to be made, but it is a long learning curve. If you don't have professional photographic experience it will be tough. Then you still have to learn how to retouch and process your raws which takes forever when you are a newbie. So, I wouldn't suggest going to into full time from the beginning. Do some work on the side until you are proficient in all areas.

 

[FlatspinZA]

Some people take their weddings too extremes, and blow loads of cash, hiring professional photographers, while others are on a limited budget, so they'd hire someone like you.

If it's something you are passionate about, you will do well, but don't expect to make your money back quickly. Plenty of online sites serve images that get paid for, so don't focus on weddings only. Have a look at what you can get for your prints, because it looks like it could be lucrative if you have enough material.

One other thing I'd suggest: don't mass-market all your images. There will always be a few spectacular images that you have taken - capitalise on that and list them on premium sites as one-offs.

 

[LouisJeezy]

I've been considering investing in some decent equipment and doing wedding photography. Some people tell me it's a bad industry because it's almost impossible to break into, cheap photographers have undercut the pros and others say it's good money. Now before i go and spend a lot of cash and make a mistake im busy doing research in the feasability of this. Please can somebody give me a VERY HONEST opinion?

Thanks

It is feasible, if you love taking photographs and your images are unique then people will hire you. The question is how much do you value yourself and your skills ?

The thing is there are thousands of people with that exact mindset, I can almost guarantee that you will shoot a wedding and undercut someone else, you want to book that first wedding and it's tough when no one knows who you are. I think the safest way to start is to second shoot until you are confident in your style and ability (whether that is 5 weddings or 500 weddings) and you feel you are worth someone spending anywhere between 12 -18 K for one day of shooting.

Consider what your costs are:

Camera gear investment
Camera insurance
Subscription to editing software
Time spent shooting (8- 14 hours)
Time spent editing (minimum 10-15 hours for one wedding ?? Just sucking thumb ?)
Website hosting
consumables for hand over of DVD
Hard drives/multiple backups

Those are just the tip of the iceberg.

You have to love taking photos of people for anywhere between 8-14 hours straight, doesn't matter if you have 3 Full frame bodies and all the primes lenses and flashes available to you. Non stop, you have to search for photographs and steal moments constantly and keep moving.

You also have to be a source of energy and fun that people can feed off. I have seen photographers who are technically gifted and understand photography, but socially they can't handle a bridal party of 12 people saying "okay what now ? What photos are we going to take ?", and for the next hour and a half provide an akward bridal creative shoot.

Sorry if I went on a bit there, I am just trying to make you prepared for a very big decision, not only for you but for your potential clients

 

[GTi]

Weddings are one of the most sensitive and fast paced photography in the industry. You have to know what you doing and there are no second chance. You have to have the right equipment at hand all the time. Your exposure have to spot on to save you time in the lightroom. You have to have experience shooting portraits, groups, etc and help as a second shooter to gain experience in the wedding photography world, it can get stressful at times, but if you know what you doing it's it will take a load off your shoulders. Starting out money should be the last thing on your mind, you have to be passionate about what you doing first, and enjoy doing it. Its a long day on your feet.

 

[creeper]

Let's look at wedding photography.

1. You need experience. You don't get the 'Joost and Amor' wedding photos by just snapping away. (maybe a bad example). Most good photographers have ghosted or was the 2nd photographer at weddings. And remember, if you did the family photos, you are NOT a wedding photographer. If you own a DSLR, you are not automatically a wedding photographer. If your cousin takes nice photos, he is not a wedding photographer, unless he does it for a profession
2. It is the most stressful photography around. You have a few things to consider. Remember that it happens only once. You missed the kiss, rings etc., you can't stop and ask to take it again. You have a stressed out bride, bridezilla mother-in-law, bride's mother from hell and that doesn't even include aunty Jackie with her fancy 12MP cellphone. And yes, we haven't even started with the photos.
3. The photos. You need lots of memory, lots of batteries, a few flashes (the onboard flash doesn't cut it), a DSLR that can handle high ISO, if you want to get the natural light mood, tripods, a reflector, a slave and a few other things. The photos include the pre-wedding photos, the ceremony, the 'family' photos, bride / groom photos and reception. Then there are everyone with P&S, cellphones, iPads and Smart TV with build in cameras to screw up the photos.
4. Style. Yes, there are different styles. The traditional shoot, the journalistic and one I just made up, called the I-am-trying-to-out-photo-my-competitors-with-this-extremely-elaborate-setups-style (ego of photographer may have an impact on this).
5. Clothing. If you arrive with jeans and a T-shirt, you are doing it wrong. Unless you are going to a hippie wedding, but then, you might not be allowed to take photos as a few people may be incriminated using illegal substances. Professional and comfortable. Remember you will be on your knees, on chairs, doing positions that the Kuma Sutra would declare as impossible (note, not with the bride, that will lead to more problems)
6. Cost. You get what you paid.
7. Food. Don't bother. You won't eat or drink anything for 6-7 hours.

And that is the first 20% of the wedding photographer

The 80% include:

Editing.
Editing.
Editing.
Editing.
Editing the brides bulges (because she wants to look like Beyonce)
Editing the mothers (because they want to look like Beyonce)
Editing uncle Johns Purple suit to black (o, yes, this has happened at a wedding before)

Then the selection of the photos by the couple. O, crap. Everyone is a F#$#@n photo critic. The couple might be okay, but aunty Steve that took photos with the Pentax 1000 in 1974 while on holiday at Hartenbos is a F%$#%n expert

And getting the last payment...........

So, yes, wedding photography is a great money generator. It is 'easy' and 'everyone' can do it. (note, sarcasm)

And this is my honest opinion of wedding photography. Don't do it unless you are willing to commit and build up experience. Like all things, it takes practice. I avoid weddings, unless it is a special request.

Conclusion: Don't do it, unless you are good at it

 

[Rocket-Boy]

You should also look into sports photography if you enjoy that type of thing.
I have seen websites that sell the pictures after them and most are quite pricey.

 

[Roelie]

5. Clothing. If you arrive with jeans and a T-shirt, you are doing it wrong. Unless you are going to a hippie wedding, but then, you might not be allowed to take photos as a few people may be incriminated using illegal substances. Professional and comfortable. Remember you will be on your knees, on chairs, doing positions that the Kuma Sutra would declare as impossible (note, not with the bride, that will lead to more problems)

And please, please don't try and look like a "Photographer" with those cheesy pocket jackets that old film photographers used, blend in with the guest, if its a formal wedding, wear formal clothes.

From my own experience as a back-up photographer for my daughter, I'ts a hell of a long tiring day.
Also make sure you have a contract that spells out exactly what they are getting, and not getting from you, and what you expect of them. Insist on a plate of food, my daughter once did a wedding (full day from bride getting dressed to the reception) and they did not provide her with a seat or food, she had to stand the whole time.
I also heard a horror story once from a pro-photographer that did his buddy's wedding photos for free as a wedding gift - obviously without a contract. On his way home he stopped for smokes and his car got stolen with all the gear and film in it. Hi "buddy" proceeded to sue him for "loss of memories" and he lost his business as a result.

 

[bwana]

Personally I don't think wedding photography is particularly difficult as long as you are a) a competent photographer and b) you're good at managing people. What people tend to underestimate is the stuff that goes on behind the scenes. IOW the business side of things. You spend a lot more time on that than you do shooting and it really sucks the fun out of what was presumably an enjoyable hobby.

Before you dive into weddings consider starting off a bit smaller. Start shooting functions and parties and get used to telling people what to do. Perfect the art of posing people and learn to light them using whatever light is available. Get yourself a lawyer and have them draw up a contract for you to use, and make people sign it. It's no good taking a generic one off the internet because they may not be based on SA law. One huge difference in SA is that by default copyright belongs to the person commissioning the shoot and NOT the photographer - that needs to be addressed in your contract.

 

[Patty]

Reposted under my username: Thank you to everybody for the advise. I've learned that pursuing something that one enjoys is not always financially viable. So I wanted to take the "emotion" factor out of it and look at it purely from a feasibility point of view. I am not scared of hard work at all, and I find it very rewarding to earn one's own keep instead of a traditional office job, but I do plan to do this part time initially. I always have a very creative side to me, I did art as a subject up until matric, and if one doesn't fulfill their creative side life can become boring.

I will look into sports photography, I use to take a lot of aviation pictures with my canon 350D back in the day. I seem to be getting a more positive go for it feel from everybodies replies. When I went to price out equipment this weekend I walked away with a negative feeling from the sales guys. Surprising.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Reposted under my username: Thank you to everybody for the advise. I've learned that pursuing something that one enjoys is not always financially viable. So I wanted to take the "emotion" factor out of it and look at it purely from a feasibility point of view. I am not scared of hard work at all, and I find it very rewarding to earn one's own keep instead of a traditional office job, but I do plan to do this part time initially. I always have a very creative side to me, I did art as a subject up until matric, and if one doesn't fulfill their creative side life can become boring.

I will look into sports photography, I use to take a lot of aviation pictures with my canon 350D back in the day. I seem to be getting a more positive go for it feel from everybodies replies. When I went to price out equipment this weekend I walked away with a negative feeling from the sales guys. Surprising.

Watch this first before giving up:

[video=youtube;5QnZVZzosw8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QnZVZzosw8[/video]

 

[Azbubu]

Watch this first before giving up:

[video=youtube;5QnZVZzosw8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QnZVZzosw8[/video]

As motivating as that is, you still have to pay the bills and feed yourself.

Also, imagine if everyone did what they wanted to do, the essential things would never get done because who's going to want to clean toilets or collect garbage.

 

[bwana]

I will look into sports photography, I use to take a lot of aviation pictures with my canon 350D back in the day. I seem to be getting a more positive go for it feel from everybodies replies. When I went to price out equipment this weekend I walked away with a negative feeling from the sales guys. Surprising.

If you like stress then go for it. I can't see myself enjoying any other genre as much as I do shooting sports but fwiw making a living out of it is hard graft.

Fortunately if that doesn't work out there's always less stressful genres I can fall back on, like wedding photography.

 

[RanzB]

I've been considering investing in some decent equipment and doing wedding photography. Some people tell me it's a bad industry because it's almost impossible to break into, cheap photographers have undercut the pros and others say it's good money. Now before i go and spend a lot of cash and make a mistake im busy doing research in the feasability of this. Please can somebody give me a VERY HONEST opinion?

Thanks

What's your skill level in terms of photography? If it's beginner, take at least a few months to learn. If not, start shadowing/assisting a good wedding photographer.