How to become successful wedding Photographer.

Being a wedding photographer is a joy that you cannot understand until you experience it. Wedding photography is the rage in this realm, and is something that will help you to make quite a decent income as well. However- it is not something that is meant for everyone. You should know a few things as you set out to become a successful wedding photographer, and that is exactly what you will discover as you read ahead.

1. Know and understand your gear
While they may seem a little too obvious to be included here, it still is something that many do not give enough importance to. If you want to be recognized as a professional, then you need to have that level of understanding about your gear. Being a professional is all about knowing your gear from every angle possible.

2. Being a successful wedding photographer demands for a collaborative effort
Wedding photography needs a collaborate effort between everyone ranging from the photographer and the bride and groom to the parents, the planners, the guests and even more. If you want to be a successful wedding photographer, understanding this fundamental aspect is of prime importance! You may not understand this at first- but give it some time as it sinks in your mind.

3. Being a wedding photographer is all about relationships
Wedding photography is where you have to give more than what is demanded of you- for it is purely relationship and referral based. You possess the Holy Grail to this sacred event- the images! What you do on those days will define their memories for this ‘event of a lifetime’; and for the other vendors, you are creating the portfolio that will help them expand further. Share and collaborate- always. It is the one mantra to success in professional photography.

Successful wedding Photographer

4. Be prepared for committing double the time you think it will take- and then expect even more
Wedding photography demands a lot of work- and that work is not just limited to editing. Right from the booking and initial correspondence to the questions, shooting editing, providing everyone with images and other merchandise. You need to be there for your clients months before the event actually comes up, and for months after the special day. This is where you need to keep the previous point in mind as well. The industry is all about relationships and referrals- do a great job at this wedding, and you will be recommended for two more in the future- and this will go on and on.

5. Understand the location- know it as well as you can
Go to every location where you will be shooting before the big day comes. It will help you to identify the best places to shoot from, know how the light will play there and so on. You can try to know it even better by taking some ‘test shots’ with the couple- this will also help them know where they want memories to be captured, and the areas that would be the best for it.

6. Know what the couple and the family wants
Show the couple your style and try to find out what do they desire from your work. Right from the number of shots they want to the things that have to be recorded, how they plan to use the shots and so on- every piece of information that you get will help you give better results. It will also benefit you to get an accurate agreement of the price up-front.

7. Turn off the camera sounds
A beep during the speech, vows and the kiss are not something that you want to add to the event. Ensure that you switch off the sound on your camera beforehand, and keep it off till the day ends!

8. Be firm- but do not obstruct
Being shy will not get you the shot you and the couple want- weddings can be crowded, and you will have to be quite bold for capturing the right moments. Timing is the most crucial element for getting the right shot- so you will need to be there ahead of time to cause minimal obstruction. When you need to get the formal shots- be bold and get what you know is important.

Being a wedding photographer will be one of the best things that come with this career- enjoy it when you do it, and with these tips, you should be able to do an excellent job!