Hi all,

I have been thinking about doing some sort of course at the local college to be able to cover weddings and parties etc. not necessarily proffesionally as it would take me ages to get to a high level, but just sort of doing maybe friends and family wedding for just a few hundred pounds. I would not set up my own business, but just do it by word of mouth, on the side. I really enjoy photographing "things going on" like capturing an expression at a party, or a funny dance move, or someones face after a shot! (I'm sure there is a word for this type of photography)

If I could competantly take pictures for someone, and I was confident that I could, then I could invest in a flash and a lens or two.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this,
cheers,
Scott.

I would suggest going along for free and shooting candids, not as the offical photographer which is a very testing and responsible task. You'll learn a lot.

I have done a few weddings and frankly, it's hell. You really need an assistant just to get the formal shots properly organised. And then, after the show, the official guy usually buggers off leaving you free to capture the informality of the reception.

I've done this a couple of times, and my pictures, I'm proud to say, have been the couple's favoruites, and some have been published. Posed group shots are all fine and dandy, but the ones of Uncle Joe and Jena and co, after a couple of drinks ;) are the ones that capture the atmpsohere of the day.

Richard.

This sort of photography is generally referred to as "reportage" though its increasingly just being called informal wedding photography. Look at what the photography course actually offers as many seem to have you sat in front of a screen teaching Photoshop Elements rather than taking lots of pictures. Family weddings and parties are good places to start. If you don't have one already, a good 70-200 or 80-200 zoom is a must to capture those candid shots.

regardless of what you do business wise, you'll still need to pay tax + NI (though you can partially offset your kit against it), and factor in indemnity insurance (£100) kit insurance and public liability. Don't turn up without!

You'll need backup kit too, I use a 5D for shooting, and a 350D as a backup (and for when the longer range is useful). And brollies for those wet summer days...

Scott, Its a big responsibility to take the official wedding pics at someones big day, and its not something that you can go into without a fair bit of confidence - in your kit, your photographic ability and your ability to handle people under pressure.

College courses are fine for teaching the theory, but it counts for nothing against experience.

I would give exactly the same advice as Richard. I've done a number of weddings, and even though they were for family and friends, I was paid to do them and the pressure and responsibility that comes with that is immense.

Taking reportage style pics at a wedding is a whole lot easier when you're not the official photographer - you can see things that they miss. Doing the "official" reportage style photographs is not easy.

We are coming into the wedding season now. What I would suggest is to pop along to a local wedding photographer, explain your interest, and ask if you could go along as an observer to watch them at work one Saturday. DON'T take a camera, but just watch. Look at the way they have to control the occassion, deal with difficult situations, and the effort that goes into the day. Obviously wear a suit :)

You will learn far more in one Saturday working with a pro than you will in a college course. Who knows it may even lead to work experience and a job further done the line. Some photographers may not be willing to help you, but I'm sure you can find one - especially if you offer to carry the bag for them.

There are a number of photographers working who started off as assistants, and as you gain experience, you may find that you start to take photographs and then move into it full time. That way you are not doing your first official wedding totally cold and without understanding how it works.

Forget about the business side of tax and NI at the moment - unless you know lots of people or have a lot of family who are getting married in the next year, it won't be important.

Gareth

not registering as self-emplyed is a risk some would take, but I'd get caught!
Definately if you do any form of advertising you need to register, as they do randomly check people.
Don't skimp on insurance though. I nearly had a diaster which would have wiped out my profits for the year (which I'd worked bl**dy hard for), and wouldn't do another wedding without pro indemnity.

There's a lot of negativity written about shooting wedings, but I love it. High pressure, and lots of work afterwards as well, but you're in nice settings, with women looking their best. Of course if you screw up you could ruin someones biggest day, but if you take it seriously and do the prep, and that doesn't scare you, there's worse ways to earn money.

It's very satifying (compared to any of the proper jobs I've had) to produce images which the couple love, and will treasure for ever (until they get divorced!). Same goes for shooting young kids really.

I've just cancelled my subscription to Pro Photography, as I'm doing my best to build the business, and every other articles says how the wedding business is saturated, no-ones getting married anymore, no-ones paying for stock anymore.... It's more depressing than reading NSR!

I don't think Scott is very old so he probably doesn't have to worry about the tax man just yet.

I agree with the sentiments about self employment - but as Scott is only 16 and as he said wishing to work for family and friends to make a bit of money, its silly (at the moment) to worry about declaring TAX and NI and setting himself up in business.

You are right about advertising situation and the requirement for insurance, but at the moment Scott isn't in the position to advertise or take on work from the general public - without the experience and the portfolio/work examples it would be difficult for him to get clients.

As you mention it can be a very rewarding profession - I know a number of photographers that have left press/agency work to move into reportage style weddings, but their experience and training make it a natural transition.

I don't want to put Scott off, I hope I haven't, but it would be wrong to suggest that its easy, straight forward and something anyone can do if they can operate a camera.

Gareth

Thing about you Scott is that you are determined, have a brain and take advice.

Choose you career carefully mate - it may be not professional photography - but you'll do well :) one way or another.

Thing about photography is that it can be enjoyed at any number of levels and in an infinite number of ways. Hobbyists can enjoy this luxury, pros often can't ;)

Best wishes,

Richard.

Hobbyists can enjoy this luxury, pros often can't ;)

Best wishes,

Richard.

Amen to that. Whish my company would see it like that.

Thanks for all the advice, just to let you know, I was just typing in 'quick reply' for around 15 mins, then closed the window by mistake!

anyway the show must go on.

As mentioned above, I would not be setting up a company, or advertising, but just dong it for friends and family on a budget. for example, some friends of my parents were getting married, they were on a mega tight budet and did not hire a photographer! I would have been more than happy to say "look, I'll do the pictures for you, but there are no guarantees(SP), if they work out, then it'll cost £200 - £300etc. If not, then no matter how well I do, it is better than nothing, and I won't charge you." However, this was before I had my camera.

on teh subject of that, it's still going strong {touch wood} and approaching 10,000 clicks! mainly at car shows with this lot
105speed :: Home (http://105speed.hyperboards.com/)
see here for exapmle in the gallery, (username = Brad (my dadd))
105speed :: View Topic (http://105speed.hyperboards.com/index.php?action=view_topic&topic_id=5142)
and here (even better)
105speed :: View Topic (http://105speed.hyperboards.com/index.php?action=view_topic&topic_id=4985)

cheers,
Scott.

By the way, if you didn't look at the links, have a quick look at the last one. You will see what I mean about capturing the mood, and just showing what is going on.

Also, I will probably write to a few local photgraphers regarding tagging along for the day.

Scott.

Some nice pics there Scott - especially like the way you focussed on the denim shorts !!! ;)

Gareth

Scott - by all means write to a few local photographers and ask, but you may get a better response with a knock on the door.

This time of year there are hundreds of emails and letters flying around from college students looking for work experience over the summer holidays. I've seen three emails today from wannabe sports photographers wanted to come and work with us. By all means drop a letter in, but hand deliver it or follow up with a visit a few days later.

You come across as a sensible lad, and I'm sure you'd word the letter correctly, but face to face is where you make the impression. We took someone on on work experience for two weeks, I introduced her to the picture desk of the local paper and 4 weeks later she had a staff trainee photographer position.

Gareth

There's a great book called digital Wedding Photogrpahy, which one of the best photography books I've read. The only book which really explains flash use too.

Also of course look at people's websites. There's some stunning stuff at the top end (though you can often spot staged shots with models!), and there's loads that call them self reportage / photojournalists, but their work (presumably their best work) looks like randon snap shots taken by guests!
I place my self somewhere in the middle, and aiming for the top.

Every couple I've spoken to about weddings wants the informal unobtrusive style, which suites me well, but without fail they all want the standard group shots, rings, cakes, dress, sheos etc. You need a list of these for any wedsding, and base the day round those. Once they're in the bag, you can play about a bit (and have more fun!).

It certainly is hard to get a start, I'm struggling to get my first bookings but then I'm completing with people who have been doing it for 20 years and don't need to advertise. Doing family / friends is where most people start - I just haven't know anyone get married recently!

Good luck, and enjoy. You'll certainly learn lots.

I have to do this for a distant friend in a couple of weeks. I have in no uncertain terms made it clear that I am no pro and will do my best for them but that's about all I can do. They can't afford to pay anyone so they are happy with my terms. I am not charging them for what I do but have asked that if any of their guests want copies of pics they buy them through me. That way I only make a few quid if the pics are good enough.

What could go wrong, it's only the single most important day of their lives after all

I'm photographing a pals wedding in August and it's the first wedding I've done in 10 years (I loved the skin tones that 35mm Fuji Reala used to produce!). Have taken a break to bring up the kids and now slowly getting back into photography and have recently sold some work and had work published locally.

So, would like to know your thoughts on this one - I have a EOS 5D (a trusty 300D for backup) and a 24-105 L IS f4 and a 17-40 L f4 and a Tamron 28-75 f2.8. I'm thinking of renting a 85mm L f1.2 for the week and using it on the day. Do I really need one? I will be at the reception in the evening and will photographing folk when they are a little more relaxed after a few bevvies. Or will a 70-200 L lens be better for those candid moments? I'm torn between the two - I really really really want to play with the 85mm after seeing results here on this forum and elsewhere. What do you think?

cheers :thumb:

andy