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Q. How do I get a wedding Portfolio and wher to advertise?
Asked by Steven Sprigings
(K=30) on 2/25/2007
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My name is Steven and I live in the United Kingdom, I want to build a successful wedding photography business from my home town of Bristol.
I have a some questions that I would love to have answered by people who honestly make a great living in the industry and who are not afraid to advise a newbe.
(from the outset sorry if my questions are long and a little twisty!)
Basically I have got a small selection of pictures from weddings I have been to myself and from One where I was the official photographer - BUT because I want to get into the industry properly I have wrote by post and e-mailed around 60 wedding photographers who pretty much ignore my letters for friendly advice, asking to shadow them and be in the background. Some however have been more than helpful giving good advice like to check this website for instance and put a letter on this Forum for more feedback from you folks!
Question 1, What is the best way to get a better portfolio for weddings If NO ONE is willing to allow me to snap away behind them?
Question 2, Where and How is the cheapest and best places to advertise my services (I dont have enough material yet for a website)?
Question 3, Is doing a wedding for free i.e (just the cost of materials only) likely to work in Your opinion? Or are people reluctant as they would find out that I'm not really a seasoned pro (yet)
Denis Reggie is my Idol, I bought a CD the Masters of Wedding Photography and he was on it with 4 other Top people, lastly is it possible to get to his level if I am struggling to get a portfolio let alone Perspective enquiries for weddings?
PLEASE IF YOU ARE A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER OR OTHER PROFESSIOAL, CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME HELPFUL FEED BACK, I APPRECIATE ANY QUALITY INPUT ON THE SUBJET.
Truly
Steven Sprigings
BA Hons Documentary Photography
(Struggling photographer)
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Jeroen Wenting
(K=25317) - Comment Date 2/25/2007
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the only way to get a portfolio is to go out and shoot something.
Of course established pros are wary of you, you're a potential competitor in an already overcrowded market. Were I one of them I'd also not want someone else there with me stealing my techniques so he can use them against me lateron.
Friends, colleagues, neighbours. There's often someone getting married.
Place small ads in newspapers, maybe the supermarket has a notice board.
Just be frank, and say clearly that you're not very experienced (but are willing to work cheap).
DO remember that this is a highly important day for the customers, and they don't want their memories ruined by poor pictures.
So be frank with yourself as well. Are your skills really good enough to ensure you get the shot, every time, without fail?
It would be a disaster if you missed the shot of the bride cutting into the wedding cake or kissing the husband at the altar because your flash wasn't fully charged or your camera set up wrong.
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Steven Sprigings
(K=30) - Comment Date 2/26/2007
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Thankyou for your reply and your insight.
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Matt Davis
(K=3935) - Comment Date 2/27/2007
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He he... that helpful photographer was me!
Small world Steven!
Jeroen makes a few good points and you know my suggestions as I mailed you.
So - when you gonna lend me that CD - I haven't actually seen it but keen to view for some inspiration? It's a few quid which put me off and since I shoot weddings regularly anyway I didn't exactly want to spend bucks on something I see a lot of - although would love to view for some inspiration.
Matt
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Natalia Delgado
(K=5) - Comment Date 4/9/2007
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You should start by replying to my e-mails!!!
I suggest going to as many weddings as you can and get lots of cool pictures so you can build a portfolio. Ask your friends and family if they know someone who's getting married and ask if you can take pictures (no cost). Even if they have hired a photographer you can still take pictures. I think in this sector the mouth to mouth is your best advertisement so work on getting amazing pictures and the rest will take care of itself.
And write back...;)
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Steven Sprigings
(K=30) - Comment Date 4/10/2007
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Hey Amigo!!!!
Are you following me? What a small world! Thanks for the advice. I have a wedding coming up in about 3 weeks of a friend so I'll use the opportunity to snap away as much as possible before getting intoxicated. (I'm not the official photographer but that wont put me off) I'm really lousy replying to emails etc sorry! I'd be interested to know why you were searching this forum, are you looking to getting into wedding photography or something also?
Great suprise to see you comment on this forum, i still cant believe it!
lol
Steven
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