Rex Photography - How do I get started in wedding photography?

How do I get started in wedding photography?

I am a photography student at a community college and I want to start shooting weddings. I can't seem to find someone willing to give me a shot. I'm not great at photography, but I'm pretty good and the more I check out local wedding photographer's websites the more confident I become. I would be willing to start off really cheap, but I need that first break. Does anyone have ideas about breaking into the wedding photography business? I am located in the Knoxville Tennessee area.

Public Comments

Friends an family are the place to start. Most people hiring a wedding photographer want that person to have experience so if you know anyone getting married volunteer to do the photos for cost in exchange for you being able to use them in your portfolio. Or you could start hitting bridal fairs so you could meet dozens of professionals and start asking if any would like an assistant. They can show you the ropes, let you know what to anticipate and let you shoot photos with them. Or if all else fails start running ads on craigslist or in your local newspaper.
I just got engaged this weekend why don't you do us!
Start a portfolio, just take some pictures of anything, and then make sure to take some with people in the as the main subject matter, once you have a portfolio, talk to a wedding planner and work out a business deal so maybe you could get your first job, then add some of those photos to your portfolio then advertise.
I'm not a wedding photographer, but just as common sense... have you called wedding photographers in your area to see if they will let you serve as an assistant? maybe starting with some less expensive, not well-known photographers would be a good idea. also, if you have a friend that is getting married, see if they will let you take engagement pictures for free so you can start a portfolio. If they like your work, maybe they'll even let you photograph their wedding.
offer to do it for free until you can build your portfolio. Just charge the brides for developing the photos. Advertise in a local newspaper or bridal magazine
Talk to your photog. teacher and get their advice about where to begin. I would say, that you should also contact a local wedding photog in your area and see if you could perhaps get their adivce or maybe work as an aprentice to them. good luck!
I would suggest doing some pro-bone-o work first.Maybe just 2 wedding to build your portfolio.Then start a website,or a portfolio advertising your business. Make sure that you do have professional cameras,I wouldn't let anyone photograph my wedding with the same digital camera I have! Advertise in your local paper as "amateur with experience and a portfolio" you should get some hits.Then from there build your portfolio and you'll get more business by word of mouth.
word of mouth is a great place to start. Also, you could post flyers around the school and contact local wedding planners to get your name out there
Just go to weddings & take pix. If anyone asks, say "I am a photography student, & just practicing, BUT if you want some prints -call me" This way, you don't have to worry if pix don't come out perfect. Also you will learn some of the ins & outs of the business. JUST BE SURE NOT TO INTERFERE WITH THE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER IN ANY WAY. (but watch & listen) Go for it!
I started out with freelancing through a studio. So get your name.resume out there telling them you want to do weddings. You will learn a TON from them. From there, get a website with a profilio. get your name out there. post ads where ever possible good luck if any questions email me
If you know anyone who has a current Mac computer, you can use IWeb to create a website showing your recent photographs. Set up an .mac account [$99 per year] and publish your IWeb webpage(s). Acquire from Vistaprint.com a colorful business card by selecting from their many templates a suitable one that meets your needs. Make sure to list the URL of your website along with a telephone answering device. Do not place your home address or anything personal such as a cellphone on this businesscard. Then when you receive the finished business card, pass it around to various churches, temples and the like to solicit business. When you receive a major photography assignment, visit your local professional camera store and "rent" the necessary camera equipment to fulfill this assignment. When starting out, you don't want to tie your money up with a piece of camera equipment which because of ever changing technology "becomes obsolete." Remember, that 90% of professional photographer are not "buying" camera equipment continually which can easily become outdated; instead, they merely "rent or lease" the camera equipment for set period of time; thereby keeping their money for other expenses. Even though you may have your heart set on an SLR and film, you may have to give up that concept for the moment, since digital photography offers the most economic method of photo reproduction. Digital imagery is easy to edit on a computer and the print quality is often far superior to regular film-generated prints. You want to buy an "essential/basic" DSLR system which has an all-around affordable accessory lenses, then consider the award winning Pentax KD series beginning with the Pentax K100D 6.1 mp DSLR with "image stabilization" built into the camera body. "Image stabilization" is essential for allowing you to take telephoto pictures at weddings, parties, while on the go and you don't have to drag along a tripod to steady your camera. Unfortunately, Canon and Nikon have chosen to install their "vibration reduction" devices into very expensive auxiliary lenses. But getting back to the Pentax K100D which comes in a starter kit consisting of two Pentax lenses: a 18-55 mm. normal lens and a 50-200 mm. telephoto which sells for $650 at samys.com. Again, the Pentax K100D starter kit runs circles around the D40 Nikon! For digital print processing, find a private professional film processing lab who can handle all your client's print orders. And with a resale license, you will be qualified for considerable "professional" discounts on lab fees. A search on the Google and Yahoo for wholesale photo albums will connect you with various distributors who, again, you can sign on as a photography studio and get a dealer's pricing for any number of albums, guest books, etc. Instead of renting a studio, take people pictures at local parks and beaches and for indoor shots, go to the client's residence or office to set up a photo shooting environment which consists of a set of lights, reflective screens, background drapery, etc. Good luck!