How to become a wedding photographer

Why Wedding Photography? Inspiring Stories By Wedding Pros

Author: ShootDotEditOn: Jul 19Categories: ShootDotEdit Featured Photographer No Comments

Professional wedding photography draws in photographers from all walks of life, each with a unique story about why wedding photography was their calling. The reasons are varied, ranging from a love of capturing beautiful moments to an opportunity to showcase their experience level in working with people and emotions. Regardless of their motivation, the goal remains the same – to capture the love and joy of the wedding day in a way that feels timeless and unique. This blog will take you through the personal journeys of skilled wedding photographers, revealing why they chose wedding photography as their vocation. So, why wait? Let their stories inspire you!

Why Wedding Photography? Inspirational Stories By ShootDotEdit Customers

Every wedding photographer has a unique ‘why’ that fuels their passion, a compelling reason that leads them to capture love stories through their lenses. So, let’s delve into the exploration of ‘why wedding photography?’ and uncover the inspirations behind these professionals’ choices.

1. K. Lenox Photography

a couple sharing a close moment under the wedding veil in their wedding attire
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @klenoxphotography 

Kristen Lenox’s, the mastermind behind K. Lenox Photography, ‘why wedding photography’ moment happened when she was a geriatric nurse. She noticed that in their final moments, her patients’ loved ones often brought in photographs instead of flowers or gifts. These images weren’t mere mementos; they were stories frozen in time. The significance of these moments captured through a lens struck a chord with Kristen. “They brought photos that told stories, and I liked that aspect of it. I liked how important it was,” she recalls, underscoring why photographs are important.

When her husband gifted her a Canon Rebel Ti, her desire to master the art of photography intensified. “I wanted to learn everything. I wanted to learn how to make the background blurry. I wanted to learn everything, so I just dug in,” she shares. Kristen embarked on a learning spree, enrolling in an online course with the New York Institute of Photography, attending seminars, reading blogs, and taking classes with a local nature photographer. Even today, she continues to invest in learning, a testament to her dedication to her craft.

Suggested Read: How To Become A Full-Time Wedding Photographer

2. Melissa Fe Chapman Photography

a wedding couple kissing while the sun is shining from in between them
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @melissafechapmanphotography

Melissa Fe Chapman, a SoCal and destination wedding photographer, has been transforming love stories into enchanting visuals and creating magic with her camera since 2013. Interestingly, even before her dream of becoming a professional wedding photographer came into focus, she was the go-to photographer among friends and family. The turning point in Melissa’s journey to becoming a wedding photographer began in 2013 when she took maternity photos for her best friend. This experience kindled a passion for photography that she hadn’t fully recognized until then. From that spark, she built a thriving business that encapsulates love, life, family, and beauty in images. 

Melissa finds joy in photographing precious moments in people’s lives that bring them genuine happiness. She celebrates love in all its forms, making her wedding photography brand inclusive and welcoming to all. Her story is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and the remarkable journey that can unfold when you do.

3. Brandi Allyse Photo

a wedding couple kissing standing on a meadow
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @brandiallysephoto

Brandi Salerno, the proud owner of Brandi Allyse Photo, explains why wedding photography became her chosen career path. Her journey started at Texas State University, where she completed her degree in photography in 2009. Initially, wedding photography seemed too overwhelming to her, and as a result, she chose to stick with what made her comfortable: portraiture. For about three years, she dedicated herself to this genre, perfecting her skills and solidifying her foundation in photography.

A significant turning point came in 2011 when Brandi got married. She was captivated by her wedding photographer’s work and persona, viewing her as a celebrity of sorts. When this photographer was in need of a second shooter, Brandi seized the opportunity, stepping into a role that would change her perspective on wedding photography. For several years, she worked under the mentorship of her wedding photographer, gaining invaluable hands-on experience. She shot around 100 weddings during this period. This experience played a crucial role in boosting her confidence to venture into wedding photography independently.

The question of ‘how to become a wedding photographer’ often perplexes many! While the answer varies for everyone, Brandi’s journey demonstrates that it can be a combination of formal education, initial hands-on experience in related fields, and mentorship under an experienced wedding photographer. 

Suggested Read: How To Prepare For Your First Wedding Photography Gig

4. Stephanie Heymann Photography

Stephanie Heymann’s journey toward becoming a wedding photographer is an inspiring tale of passion and perseverance. It all began with her father’s 35mm Canon camera! The weight of the camera, the click of the shutter, and the whole experience sparked a love for photography in Stephanie when she was just a child. This love simmered through her high school years spent in the darkroom and persisted as she explored other paths like teaching and working at a magazine.

About 17 years ago, Stephanie decided to fully embrace her passion for photography. She jumped in with both feet and embarked on a journey that led her to become a successful photographer. Over the years, Stephanie honed her skills in various types of photography, from family photos and headshots to Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. However, the realization to choose wedding photography came after photographing babies. “Although I felt like I was good at it, I didn’t have this deep love of photographing babies. I appreciate it, and I did enjoy it. I am a mom, and I love babies. I think there are other people out there who do it so much better and could put so much more time into honing that skill,” says Stephanie. This insight showed her the importance of specialization in wedding photography.

Today, Stephanie is the talented owner of Stephanie Heymann Photography and dedicates most of her time to weddings while still capturing family and senior photos.

Suggested Read: How To Prepare For Your First Year Of Wedding Photography

5. Erin Morrison Photography

a wedding couple holding hands walking through a door
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @erinm_photography

As the owner of Erin Morrison Photography, Erin Morrison is an inspiration to all aspiring wedding photographers. Her love for this art form started with her own wedding photographers, whom she found to be incredibly talented. As Erin puts it, “I thought that what they did was pretty darn cool, and I felt like it would be the perfect creative outlet for me.” From there on, photographing weddings was something she wanted to do. Erin couldn’t contain her excitement about it, and after numerous discussions with her husband, James, he surprised her with her first camera – a moment that changed everything for her.

Today, Erin Morrison is a pro wedding photographer and has captured over 300 weddings. She understands the importance of capturing every detail – each smile and tear – that make these moments so unforgettable. She believes that wedding photography is more than just taking pictures; it’s about documenting the couple’s love and their special day to create everlasting memories. Erin has an extensive portfolio of beautiful and captivating photography that showcases her talents and passion for her work. Alongside this remarkable achievement, Erin has also consumed over 1700 chai teas, a testament to her love for the aromatic beverage!

Further Read: How To Take Wedding Photos: A Guide For Beginners And Pros 

Despite the diversity in their wedding photography styles and the myriad of wedding photography ideas they bring to life, they all share a common thread – a commitment to make each couple’s wedding day a memorable tableau of joy and affection. This ‘why’ is not just a motive; it’s the heartbeat of their artistry, influencing every shot, every angle, and every moment they document.

At ShootDotEdit, we are committed to helping you grow your wedding photography business. And to help you with that, we lessen your post-production workload with our professional photo editing services that match your style. To learn more about how we can help, check out our pricing plans.

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How To Become A Full-Time Wedding Photographer

Author: ShootDotEditOn: Oct 21Categories: How to Become a Photographer No Comments
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As one of the most popular genres of photography, there’s no doubt that wedding photography is a lucrative industry and a highly rewarding profession. But you’re not alone if you often find yourself thinking about how to get into wedding photography, or more importantly, can you make a living as a wedding photographer? Well, you might find some answers in this blog post as we explore the process and challenges of a full-time wedding photography career. We’ll also share some tips on getting started with wedding photography full-time and starting a professional wedding photography business in this competitive industry. So whether you’re thinking of making the switch to full-time wedding photography or you’re just curious about how to become a full-time wedding photographer, read along to learn more.

Pros And Cons Of Being A Wedding Photographer

If you’re a part-time wedding photographer and wondering how to become a full-time wedding photographer, you must weigh both the pros and cons carefully before making your decision:

  • Wedding photography is a demanding profession – both physically and emotionally. You’ve to invest a considerable amount of time and effort to build your portfolio, attract clients, market yourself as a professional photographer, and find a work-life balance. 
  • As you learn how to become a full-time photographer, you also have to prepare for long work hours and deal with challenging situations and clients; all the while with the pressure to keep up with the overall unpredictability of a wedding day.
  • Learning how to become a professional wedding photographer and doing it right can be incredibly rewarding, both emotionally and financially. You get several different opportunities to travel to beautiful locations, and capture once-in-a-lifetime moments for your clients. 
  • Wedding photography packages can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, and the demand for services is typically high. Setting up your own wedding photography business will help increase your photography income.

But is it hard to get into wedding photography? Depends on your approach and how much work you are willing to put into it. Wedding photography can be quite creative. What you need is sincere planning and preparation, and a unique blend of technical skills, artistic vision, and people skills.

Suggested Read: 5 Reasons To Be Thankful As A Wedding Photographer

How To Become A Full-Time Wedding Photographer

infographic stating you need to understand both the art of photography and the business of weddings

To understand how to become a full-time wedding photographer, here’s what you need to know to get started. Becoming a full-time wedding photographer takes more than just taking pretty pictures at a friend’s wedding. Not only do you need to have the right equipment, but you also need to be able to handle the stress of working long hours on your feet. If you are thinking of becoming a full-time wedding photographer, there are a few things you can do to prepare. 

1. Develop Your Photography Skills 

Start by honing your skills to have a strong foundation in both technical skills and creative composition. Prepare a note of what skills do you need to be a wedding photographer – take classes, read books, and practice as much as possible. In addition, try to develop a consistent style that sets your work apart from other photographers. Stay up to date with the latest trends in wedding photography, and constantly strive to improve your skills.

2. Learn About The Trade

infographic stating stay up to date with the changing trends in the wedding photography industry

Familiarize yourself with the wedding photography industry. Read wedding photography blogs, attend wedding fairs, and meet other photographers. You also need to have a good knowledge of light and composition and be able to work quickly and efficiently under pressure. In an industry where the competition is fierce, it’s important that you stay on top of your game and know exactly what your target audience is looking for. 

3. Build Your Portfolio 

This is one of the most important things you can do when starting out as a wedding photographer. Your portfolio is what potential clients will look at to ensure that you are the right match for them. So if you want to convert leads into clients, make sure you have a strong portfolio that showcases your skills, unique style, and vision. Read our blog to learn how to curate a wedding photography portfolio & get more clients. 

4. Be Prepared For Long Hours 

infographic stating ensure that you're physically and mentally prepared for the wedding day challenges

Wedding days can be long and grueling, often lasting 12 hours or more. And that’s not including the time spent editing and preparing for the next big day. To be successful, you need to be prepared for long days, early starts, and late finishes. Another important thing to remember is to do what you can to avoid wedding photography burnout. It’s easy to crash and burn, but with the right strategies and by taking care of your mental and physical health, you can avoid going down that road.

5. Maintain Balance

Remember that as a full-time wedding photographer, your work will consume a large part of your life. Be sure to find a good balance between work and personal time so that you can enjoy the rewards of this demanding but rewarding profession. As you learn how to become a full-time wedding photographer, you must understand that it requires dedication, skill, and an understanding of both the art of photography and the business of weddings. Marketing, customer service, and accounting are just a few of the areas in which you’ll need to be well-versed. 

Suggested Read: Top 10 Marketing Tips For Wedding Photographers

How To Start A Wedding Photography Business

infographic stating channel your passion for weddings and photography and make a successful business out of it

Starting a wedding photography business can be a great way to tap into a lucrative market while doing something you love. But before building a wedding photography business, you must learn how to become a wedding photographer. It’s important to do your homework and start on the right foot if you want to be successful. Here are a few tips for starting a wedding photography business: 

1. Invest In Quality Equipment

Invest wisely in the right equipment needed to be a wedding photographer. Wedding photography requires good-quality equipment that will enable you to produce stunning results. Investing in high-end cameras, lenses, and lighting gear will give you the tools you need to succeed. You don’t have to buy the newest equipment but focus on investing in gear that you can rely on. Do your research and perhaps even ask what equipment your photographer friends can’t live without so you can make the right choices.

2. Find Your Niche

What makes your work unique? What style of photography do you specialize in? Knowing this will help you focus your marketing efforts and attract the right clients. Time is very precious for wedding photographers, and if you don’t know your target market and simply keep marketing your services to a general audience, you won’t get the ROI you’re looking for. Therefore, only market to your ideal clients.

3. Do Your Research

Wedding photography is a competitive field, so it’s important to research your market, find the target audience, what type of wedding photography services are in demand, and what prices are being charged. This is an important part of ensuring that you set your wedding photography business up for success. 

4. Market Your Business

To be a full-time wedding photographer, you must be prepared to invest time and money into marketing yourself and growing your business. Have a professional website and social media presence that will help you attract clients. Create a successful social media marketing strategy for your brand. Attend weddings fairs and bridal expos – network with other vendors in the industry.

Further Read: A Beginner’s Guide To Wedding Photography Basics

Becoming a successful wedding photographer takes hard work, dedication, and a lot of preparation. But if you’re up for the challenge, it can be an incredibly rewarding career. By following these tips on how to become a full-time wedding photographer and learning about what you need to become a wedding photographer, you’ll be on your way to starting a successful wedding photography business. Just remember to always keep learning and evolving as a photographer so that you can continue to provide your clients with beautiful memories they’ll cherish for a lifetime.

At ShootDotEdit, we strive to help you focus on your business while we lessen your post-production workload with our photo editing services. To learn more about how we can help your wedding photography business, check out our pricing plans.

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