It is a dream come true! You have booked your first client and are ready to make your name as a photographer in the area. While you may have done a few small senior pictures and family portraits in the past, you are ready to branch out and become a wedding photographer.
Knowing the basics of wedding photography can make the day go much smoother for you and for the couple. They are expecting fantastic pictures that will last them a lifetime and it is likely they will take a look at these each year to help them remember things fondly. Your job is to find all those happy moments and make sure that they are captured on film.
Taking the leap to wedding photography takes some time and skill, but once you have a client who is confident in your skills, you want to jump in and showcase how prepared you are. Let’s take a closer look at some of the basics of wedding photography to help you get started.
Get the Best Gear You Can Afford
This is not the time to go cheap. A wedding is a once in a lifetime event and the couple is paying you to make sure nothing is missed. If they get a whole book back full of blurry pictures, they will not be happy. Things can happen quickly at a wedding and you want to capture all of the moments. Purchasing the best gear will help make that happen.
Think about all that can happen during the wedding. You spend all day with the couple, capturing their anticipation, their excitement, and their love. You will often take pictures in a hotel room or another place where the couple gets ready, at the church, in a dark reception hall, and even outside. You need equipment that can keep up with all of it and still provide stunning pictures.
Think about the camera, the lenses, and the flash that you will need to use to get the right pictures. And choose the highest quality you can afford. If you plan to do this as a full-time career, then it can be a good return on investment to pay more for good equipment now.
Choose the Right Software
While the right camera and lens will help you get perfect pictures each time, you also need to look for state of the art software for when it is time to edit those pictures at home. There are several types of software you need for your business including:
- Studio management: This will help you manage your clients and make sure that you never forget an appointment. Options like Studio Ninja are a good place to start.
- Editing: You will need to do some edits to your pictures after the wedding to make sure they are perfect for the couple. A high-quality editing software can make this easier.
- Client Galleries: You need a way to share the images you take once you are done. Most photographers share these online with the clients, who can then choose how and where to print them off. Options like ShootProof are good for this.
- Website: Wedding photographers should consider their own website to help attract new clients. You can post your rates, your hours, the type of photography you do, and even images so the client can look them over before making their decision.