| Once in while I receive e-mails or phone calls from | | | | with just dreams of making money. It is true that |
| aspiring or beginner wedding photographers asking | | | | there are many successful wedding |
| me for advise on how to become successful in | | | | photographers that make a lot of money. |
| the wedding field. My first question is always what | | | | However according to the Professional |
| their motivation is to become a wedding | | | | Photographers of America the average |
| photographer. Some will reply that they heard | | | | photographer in America makes about $24,000 a |
| from somebody that it is easy money, or that | | | | year. |
| they got a cool camera that takes great photos | | | | 5. Focus on delivering quality more than quantity. |
| or that they would like to make some money on | | | | Seek with all your heart to capture unique |
| the side etc. | | | | photographs. |
| While it is true that wedding photography can be | | | | 6. Develop a style that is recognizable and unique. |
| a very profitable business achieving success in the | | | | Don't try to be like somebody else. Clients look |
| wedding industry is not just a matter of getting a | | | | for unique photographers, with a unique vision. |
| camera and start shooting. Wedding photography | | | | 7. Give wedding photography all your heart and |
| involves artistic talent, human sense, complete | | | | effort. Long when you are gone your |
| mastery of photographic techniques, business | | | | photographs will last forever. It is a great way to |
| knowledge, and a strong desire to learn and | | | | be remembered. |
| deliver the best to the wedding couple. | | | | 8. Open your heart and your mind and great |
| Here I have summarized some points that I | | | | photos will happen. Concentrate on the human |
| believe will guide beginner wedding photographers: | | | | aspect of weddings, the details, and emotions and |
| 1. Learn photography before anything else. A | | | | be ready to capture them. Let the camera |
| wedding photographer is expected to be a | | | | become an extension of you. |
| master of the craft. You will be in charge of | | | | 9. Share your technical knowledge and make |
| capturing people's most precious life moments. | | | | connections with other wedding photographers. |
| The wedding day is not the place to learn | | | | 10. Participate in wedding photography image |
| photography. | | | | competitions. It will give you the opportunity to |
| 2. Just because you got a brand new camera it | | | | have your work evaluated by peers and the |
| does not automatically make you an effective | | | | motivation to improve your work quality. |
| and reliable photographer. Photography goes | | | | 11. Learn something new everyday. Take |
| beyond cool toys and gadgets. Learn composition | | | | advantage of professional photography |
| and develop a unique artistic vision. Some of the | | | | organizations such as Professional Photographers |
| great photographs of all time were taken with | | | | of America (PPA), WPPI, etc. Attend their |
| manual cameras. | | | | seminars, workshops. Participate in Internet |
| 3. Master the digital workflow, including color | | | | wedding photography forums and learn and share |
| management, digital image processing, file | | | | tips, tools and techniques. |
| management and image correction and | | | | 12. Don't neglect the business aspect of wedding |
| enhancement. | | | | photography. Learn to manage your business |
| 4. Learn to love photography more than anything | | | | effectively. Take business courses and seminars. |
| else. Don't come to the wedding photography field | | | | |