Franklin Dean
Wedding photography is a challenging and rewarding profession. It requires a lot of hard work, on-the-spot thinking, and customer service skills. Wedding photographers must be able to adapt to different styles, such as product photography when capturing the rings and cake, portrait and fashion photography when capturing the bridal party, and photojournalism during the ceremony. Their work starts long before the wedding day, with initial consultations, contract signings, and staying in touch with clients to gather details. On the day, they must be mindful of the itinerary and timeline, direct their subjects to achieve their vision, and solve any problems that arise. After the wedding, photographers edit and back up thousands of images, ensuring they don't get lost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work begins | 12-18 months before the wedding day |
| First contact | Phone call or email |
| First meeting | In-person at a restaurant or the photographer's business location |
| Planning | Photographers coordinate with the couple on details such as wedding party size, venue, portraiture priorities, albums, etc. |
| Contract | Photographers put together a contract and documents for the clients to review and sign |
| Communication | Photographers stay in touch with clients after the contract is signed, continually gathering details about their wedding day |
| Meetings | Typically at least two other formal meetings/appointments: an engagement session and a timeline consultation |
| Equipment | Photographers use cameras with two card slots to minimise the risk of losing images |
| Backups | Images are backed up to external hard drives, Dropbox, and other hard drives in different locations |
| Editing | Photographers select the best images to include in the wedding gallery |
| Directing | Photographers direct their subjects to achieve their desired look and vision |
| Problem-solving | Photographers are often expected to solve problems and obstacles that arise during the wedding |
| Customer service | Wedding photography is only about 20% photography; the rest is customer service and people skills |
| Multi-genre | Wedding photographers must be adept at many genres of photography, including product, portrait, fashion, beauty, architectural, photojournalism, landscape, and event photography |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding photographers must wear many hats
Wedding photographers are also problem solvers. When issues arise, as they inevitably do, the couple often looks to the photographer for solutions. They are customer service experts, ensuring the couple feels supported and special on their big day. They are marketers, using their work to attract new business and create free marketing for vendors. They are IT specialists, backing up images across multiple platforms and hard drives to ensure the precious files are safe.
Wedding photographers are also educators, continually learning and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and skills through workshops and training. They are business owners, managing finances, insurance, and operations. They are administrators, handling contracts and documents, and constant communication with clients. They are timekeepers, sticking to a tight itinerary and timeline to capture all the important moments.
Wedding photographers wear many hats, and their work starts long before the wedding day. They are often the first vendors a couple reaches out to, 12-18 months before the wedding. They coordinate meetings, discuss plans, and stay in touch with the couple as their planning progresses. They are a constant presence, providing objective opinions and helping where they can. Wedding photographers are a jack-of-all-trades, and their work is both challenging and rewarding.
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Preparation is key
Before the wedding, photographers should familiarise themselves with the itinerary and timeline of the day. They should be aware of where they need to be and when, and how much time they have for each part of the day. This includes knowing the location and having a plan for each shot, as well as being aware of the lighting and the mood they want to create.
It is also beneficial to meet with the couple in advance to discuss their plans and priorities. This could include the size of the wedding party, the venue, and any specific photo requests. Photographers can then put together a contract and stay in touch with the couple as their planning progresses.
In addition to planning the shots, photographers should prepare their equipment. This includes having a checklist of gear and personal items, and ensuring that equipment is in working order and that memory cards and batteries are available.
Wedding photographers should also be prepared for any issues that may arise on the day. This could include problems with the itinerary, unexpected obstacles, or being asked for solutions to problems by the couple.
Overall, preparation is crucial for wedding photographers to ensure that the day runs smoothly and that they are able to capture the desired images.
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Customer service is a priority
Wedding photography is a service-based job, so customer service is a priority. Photographers must be able to run the day smoothly, interact with guests, and handle issues and problems. They must also be proactive in their approach, creating a unique and consistent experience for each client.
The first step in providing excellent customer service is to establish clear communication with the couple. This involves regular meetings to discuss plans, priorities, and timelines. Photographers should also be open to answering any questions or concerns the couple may have and offering objective advice if needed.
On the wedding day itself, photographers must be mindful of the couple's vision and work to direct and pose the subjects accordingly. They may also need to provide solutions to unexpected problems, as the couple often looks to them for guidance.
Additionally, photographers should be aware of the different types of shots they need to capture and the lighting conditions required for each. This includes product shots of the rings, jewelry, and cake, portrait and fashion shots of the bridal party, beauty shots of the bride's makeup, architectural shots of the decor and venue, photojournalistic shots of the ceremony, landscape shots of the couple outdoors, and event shots of the reception.
Finally, after the wedding, photographers must ensure proper storage and backup of the images. This includes using multiple memory cards, external hard drives, and cloud-based storage methods to minimize the risk of losing the couple's precious photos.
By prioritizing customer service and paying attention to these key areas, wedding photographers can ensure a positive experience for the couple and create lasting memories of their special day.
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Back up your images
Wedding photographers have several methods to ensure that their images are safely backed up. One photographer uses cameras with two card slots, reducing the risk of losing images. They then download the images to their system, backing them up across four hard drives. The images are then sent to another set of hard drives located 260 miles away.
Another photographer takes a slightly different approach. They photograph the wedding on two memory cards simultaneously, then back up the images onto an external hard drive. They also back up the images to Dropbox, a cloud-based storage method.
Photographers also need to maintain and replace their gear, as well as continue their education, to stay on top of the latest trends and skills.
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Advertise your work
Advertising your work as a wedding photographer is key to building a successful business. Here are some ways to do this:
Firstly, create a strong online presence. Build a professional website that showcases your portfolio of work, including stunning shots from weddings you've captured. Utilise social media platforms like Instagram to share images from weddings, tagging relevant vendors and locations. This will help you reach a wider audience and gain more exposure.
Consider blogging about your experiences as a wedding photographer, crediting and linking to vendors and other wedding professionals you've worked with. They will likely share your content, expanding your network and potential client reach. Additionally, connect with other wedding photographers and professionals through online communities, such as the Wedding Photography subreddit, to share experiences, insights, and creative ideas.
Another way to advertise your work is by offering additional services or products. For example, you can offer Level-Up Portrait Sessions to celebrate milestones in your clients' relationships, or create wedding albums and heirlooms. These additional offerings can be promoted on your website and social media, providing more opportunities to showcase your work and attract potential clients.
Finally, word-of-mouth referrals are powerful in the wedding industry. Providing exceptional customer service and creating positive experiences for your clients can lead to referrals and testimonials, helping you secure more bookings.
Remember, advertising your work is an ongoing process, and it's essential to stay proactive and consistent in your marketing efforts to build a thriving wedding photography business.
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Frequently asked questions
Google wedding photographers in your area, looking at their style and how they work with poor lighting. Read reviews and testimonials, then contact a few to see how they respond. Arrange a phone call or meeting to discuss your options.
You should choose a photographer you connect with aesthetically and interpersonally. You should also ask about their process, background, and experience. It's also important to discuss pricing and packages.
This will vary depending on the photographer. Most packages include delivery of high-resolution, professionally edited digital files. Other services might include engagement sessions, additional photographers, albums, photo prints, and thank-you cards.
