How to Start a Wedding Photography Business

We've all taken a picture of someone at some pointnow.
in our life. It's not that difficult, a camera is basicallyAsk your friends to pose for you, I'm sure they'll help
an extension of our eyes. if we can see it, we canout if you ask them.
shoot. If you can make money at it, wouldn't that beAt the same time you should join a wedding
great.photography forum, that's where I learnt the most. A
I've always enjoyed weddings so a few years ago Igood free forum that has a good mix of pro
decided to supplement my income by doing somewedding photographers and amateurs is
wedding photography. So in the next few paragraphsNext thing is to setup a website. You can go to
you'll get my tips on how to break in the business.zenfolio and it's pretty much automated, hey I was
So these are my quick and easy steps to becomingable to do it myself. Put some of your better
a wedding photographer.pictures on there.
Step number one in becoming a weddingOnce you've got the website setup, the next step
photographer is to read. If your main income too willwould be to place a few adds on Craigslist offering
be your camera, then learn it inside and out. They'reto do free weddings. You should do at least 2 free
not that complicated, f-stops, aperture, iso speed.weddings, where you are completely honest with the
Get yourself a good photo book and learn the basics.soon to be married couple about your lack of
Then pick yourself up a cheap DSLR, preferablyexperience. The truth is no-one will give you a chance
something like a used Canon 40D for under $500 andwithout out a wedding portfolio, and of course you
a cheap 50mm lens. Don't worry about the biggestcan't get a wedding portfolio if no-one give you a
and the best cameras, once you get better and youchance. So it works out for everyone, you get a
know what you're doing you can spend some seriousportfolio and they get free wedding pictures.
money on a pro body. For know the 40d or anyAnother way of getting this done, is to work as a
similar DSLR will do. The 40D won't go to waste,second shooter for an established photographer. This
you'll use it as a backup camera later on. For morereally is the ideal step as you'll learn quite a bit from a
info on cameras and technical specs you can checkseasoned pro.
outOnce you've done a few free wedding and have a
Once you've picked up your camera and a lens, Iportfolio of your work, now like everyone else
recommend you shoot. Just take pictures of anyoneyou've got to start advertising. I found local papers
and anything. You should shoot all the time, you'reand even Google AdWords, Craigslist are great places
going to make mistakes. The idea is to make themto begin.