Expert: Wedding Photographics - 5/9/2007

Question
Hi
i have one quick question for you. I like photography very much and i have been very good at it.
I take good shots, i did my friends wedding, some b'days but everything was for fun.
I am also good with photoshop as far as editing, creating photoalbums etc.
So recently i thought what if i give it a shot and start doing it as part time activity.
My friend is getting marrried and he had hard time finding a photographer - some were too exspensive and
some were not not available for the specific date this summer.
The bottom line is i want to give it a shot. But i am not sure where to start.
Can u give me a few tips on where to begin. And also what kind of equipment do i need?
i have semi pro slr like very decent Fuji camera but i think i should have something like canon SLR.
But besides good camera what other hardware is a must. Batteries, flash, tripod?
I would appreciate your help.
Thanks

Answer
Hi Andy,
I appreciate your question. First I want to make sure you know that my answer is based on several statements you made.
1. You are very good at photography (at least generally).
2. You have photographed a wedding and birthdays.
3. You have some photoshop knowledge & skills.
4. Some photographers were too expensive and some were simply not available.

To answer your first question about where to begin. The best thing to do is to see about working as an apprentice to some or anyone of those expensive photographers and/or pro photographers who are already booked.  These facts mean those photographers must be very good at what they do. They can give you the experience and some insights into being a pro wedding photographer.  Don't expect them to give you any copyright to any images you may shoot. They would be training you to be an assistant or associate photographer - NOT train you to become a competitor.

Purchase every book you can afford on professional wedding photography and photoshop.  Join a local photography club and take some photography courses if possible.

Don't make the common mistake of thinking you can under-price the established pros. Potential customers are willing to pay you for what your photography is WORTH TO THEM. It doesn't matter how low a price a bad photographer charges, bad photography isn't worth much - to anyone.  By the same token, great photography often demands a higher price but in a competitive market place, what that price is can greatly vary.

I would like to strongly recommend to avoid weddings until you get some experience. While you might be able to save a friend some money and even if it is understood that you don't have much experience, the bride can still feel VERY DISAPPOINTED if your photography of HER wedding just isn't what she might have still expected it to be. Even though she knows you lack the experience, she will still be EXPECTING something you might not be able to deliver.

A "good" camera is a Canon 5D. I use two of those and external power packs for the Canon 580EX flashes for fast recycle times to help make sure I don't miss important shots. The 580EX flashes are also used off-camera and slaved for fully dedicated auto-exposure multi-flash arrangements.

Many photographers seem to love arguing about whether to shoot high JPEGs or RAW.  If you are worth your salt and want to help make sure you can provide the bride the best images - I say shoot RAW.  To learn more about that, read my article on my website at www.weddingphotographics.net/digital.htm  When you are a really good wedding photographer, you will not have any problem at all with lots of brides willing to pay you for the extra time it takes for you to spend in post-production processing their images to TECHNICAL PERFECTION.  But you got to be really good.

Yes, tripod is MANDATORY to help avoid slight camera shake blur in your images of formal groups.  Also during time exposure shots of the over-all area often shot from a balcony or any other high point looking over the Ceremony.  A "good" heavy-duty tripod which won't shake etc., will cost around $350 new.

Also recommend a PROFESSIONAL LENS with superior optics.  Canon "L" series pro lenses are the best.

If you have any other questions, just let me know. I will be happy to help the best I can.

- John