Getting into the Wedding Photography Business

Do You Have What It Takes?

It's a given that you should have photography skills if you want to make a living out of it. You should also be a good photographer if you expect people to pay for your pictures. More than your skills in using the camera, however, you need to have good business acumen to succeed as a wedding photographer.

In terms of personality, you have to be a people person. You must genuinely like people for you to enjoy your job and to be able to get the best out of your clients even during emotional moments. This includes being patient and being warm and friendly to everyone in the wedding party including children.

Then there's the aspect of being presentable. You must be neat and able to dress appropriately so you look like a guest and not stand out like a sore thumb during the wedding ceremony and reception.

Further Training Needed

Even if you consistently take good pictures, get some training and attend workshops given by professional associations before you actually sell your services to the public. Certifications and credentials always come in handy.

Becoming an apprentice or working as a part-time assistant to established wedding photographers is the best training you can get. As an apprentice or assistant, you can earn while you learn. You need hands-on experience if you want to learn the ins and outs of the wedding photography business.

Study well the technical aspects of photography. Take lessons not only on wedding photography but on portrait photography as well. Study art as you need that knowledge in making great compositions. Attend seminars and continue working on your style. Join a professional association; you can get a lot of support and advice from the other members. They can also provide you useful contacts for your wedding photography business.

You also need training in sales and marketing, and in financial management. Knowing how to sell yourself is very important in a competitive market. While wedding photography is a highly profitable business, there are lean months for weddings so you should be able to manage your finances properly and keep track of your expenses.

Legally Speaking

Check with the Small Business Administration office in your area for licensing requirements. Generally, you need to have a business license from the city and an employer ID number so you can open a business bank account. You also need a sales tax ID number from the state if your wedding photography business involves providing prints, photo albums, CDs or DVDs, flash disks, or anything tangible to your clients.

If you don't plan on building a studio at home, you may not need extra liability insurance but get extra coverage under your homeowner’s policy for all your photographic equipment. Better yet, talk to your insurance agent as he may advise you to obtain a separate business policy so you are amply protected in case someone trips on your tripod and gets injured.

As a service provider for an event, you are going to need the protection of a contract that clearly states the agreed price, manner of payment, the scope of your services, and your copyright notice. You can refer to the many samples of photographer’s contract you can find online and edit the content to suit your requirements.

Wedding Photography Equipment You Need

Your primary equipment is a DSLR camera but get a backup camera just in case something goes wrong with your primary camera while you are on the job. You should also have with you special lenses or filters you want to use and a variety of flash units so you can control the lighting of your shots. You also need high capacity memory cards to store your photos. It is a good idea to bring along a portable hard disk for really large weddings that may last longer than expected. Don’t forget your tripod.

Also necessary are a computer, access to the Internet, and a good printer. The computer is for viewing and editing your pictures and running your business, while Internet access is for your online communication with clients and keeping your website updated. You can sub-contract the printing of your photos to a third party but you still need a printer for rush jobs and for your own documents.

How to Get Started in the Wedding Photography Business

Before going out to market your services, research on what other wedding photographers in your area are offering in terms of package inclusions and pricing. When you have all the information you need, decide on your basic package and rate. See how you can set yourself apart from your competition. For example, if other wedding photographers provide prints in an album, you can perhaps offer clients a coffee table book.

One of your first tasks should be to put together an excellent portfolio. If needed, take pictures for free to get your portfolio started. At the same time, begin building your wedding photography website and get yourself listed in the yellow pages. Another must before launching is to have business cards, fliers, and other promotional materials printed.

Promoting Your Wedding Photography Business

You can promote your wedding photography business in several ways. Here are some things you can do:

1. Develop partnerships and linkages.

Establish relationships with wedding planners and coordinators. Contact churches, temples, hotels, caterers, and other wedding service providers so you can leave your cards and brochures with them.

2. Explore bridal fairs.

Although you can join bridal fairs, the cheaper way to get exposure for your wedding photography business is to give free photos of flowers to florists and pictures of cakes to bakers for inclusion in their own albums. You can also give them enlarged and framed images (with your photo credit) that they can display in their booths. Make the same offer to caterers and wedding gown suppliers. In exchange, request that they display your own albums and give out your business card. With this strategy, your work can be seen in more than one booth at bridal fairs.

3. Advertise.

Buy ads in one or two wedding websites during the wedding season and in the wedding supplement of local newspapers. Provide local newspapers with wedding-related photos. They need not pay you for your images but you get photo credit for each one they use.

4. Harness the power of the Internet.

Create a video of your wedding photography business and upload it on YouTube and other social media websites. Start a blog or join Twitter so you can keep customers updated on your wedding photography business activities.

5. Give value to word-of-mouth advertising.

Do a real good job at each wedding you cover and be sure to ask for referrals from your clients. If your work is impressive enough, you can count on the other providers to recommend your wedding photography business to their own clients.

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