Study Wedding Photography
While at other events (eg. sporting events), many different people are part of the event. At a wedding, the total focus is on the bride and groom - they are the event! The photography needs to maintain this strong focus on the bride and groom and convey the image that they are first and best in every way on that occasion.
Learn to produce quality wedding photos as a commercial enterprise.
Wedding photography can be the most critical and stressful type of photography because:
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The event is so very important to the bride and groom
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The bride and groom are usually quite stressed out
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The wedding only happens once
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More than at most other types of events, photographs are an integral part of what happens during the wedding.
There are 9 lessons in this course:
- Introduction
- Nature and Scope of Wedding Photography
- Creating Romance
- Managing People
- Planning
- Developing a Checklist for Wedding Shots
- Brides Home, Grooms Home, General Shots, At the Ceremony, At the Reception, etc
- Digital Wedding Photography
- Equipment
- Lighting at Weddings; Rain, Sun, Overcast Weather
- Logistical Planning
- Key People to Liaise With
- Guidelines
- What Shots
- Listing Shots
- Preparation
- Understanding different Types of Ceremonies -Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewis, etc
- Equipment
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Larger Format Cameras
- Digital Cameras
- Back Up Equipment
- Lenses
- Flashes and other Accessories
- Bags
- Battery Packs
- Tripods and Monopods
- Style Options
- Photojournalism versus Classical
- The Traditional Poses
- Other Shots
- Photographic Composition and Posing
- Taking Flattering Photos
- Principles of Photo Composition; Unity, Balance, Proportion, Harmony, Contrast, Rhythm
- Qualities of the Subject; line, form, mass, space, texture, colour, patterns, tone, lines and paths.
- Camera Techniques to Assist with Composition; movement, depth of field or focus
- Basic Principles of Light
- Basic Camera Terms
- Equipment and Materials
- Filters, Lighting
- Composition
- Rule of Thirds
- Developing a Portrait Style
- Posing for Photos
- A Photo Essay
- Blurring Movement
- Panning
- Shooting the Wedding Ceremony
- Pre Wedding Shots
- Order of the Wedding
- Precession, Greeting, Statements of Intention, Exchange of Vows, Exchange of Rings etc
- Important Shots at a Ceremony
- Posed Photographs before a Reception
- Indoor Weddings
- Controlling Light
- Restrictions on Photography
- Outdoor Weddings
- Dealing with Strong Backlight
- Larger Wedding Parties
- Smaller Wedding Parties
- Video
- Shooting the Wedding Reception
- Scope and Nature of the Reception
- What and when to shoot at a Reception
- Guests
- Post Production
- Processing
- Batch Processing
- Fault Finding
- Digital Colour into Black and White
- Digital Duotone and Sepia Tones
- Filters and Image Processing
- Special Effects
- Compositing
- Presentation of photos, etc
- Business & Marketing
- Selling yourself
- Establishing a Wedding Photo Business
- Devising a Business Plan
- Marketing
- Scheduling your Work
- Financial Management
- Insurance
- What to Charge
- Written Contracts
- Customer Satisfaction
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Working as a Wedding or Portrait Photographer
A wedding photographer will specialise in taking photos at a wedding. This may include pre-wedding shots while the bride and groom get ready, photos during the ceremony, photos of the bridal party after the wedding, photos of the family and wedding attendees, and photos during the reception.
A portrait photographer specializes in taking portraits of individuals or groups of people, for example family photographs, school photographs, baby photographs, model portfolios, etc. They usually operate from a studio, or from a location (such as a theme park or school).
As well as taking the photographs, the photographer will need to prepare for the shoot by finding locations, coursing appropriate equipment, setting up any required props or lighting, etc. After capturing the images, they will process the images (in modern times with the use of digital media this may include downloading the photos and making digital touch ups). They will then create the final images to present to customers.
As well as working with photographs, the photographer will also be required to market their services, network to find new clients, and perform administrative and business management tasks.
Opportunities
Photographers usually work as freelancers, so will rely on referrals, recommendations and experience to attract new clients. For the talented and well reputed photographer there are ample opportunities for business. It can, however be difficult to get to this stage.
Most freelance photographers develop relationships (formal or informal)that lead to regular work (eg. with a venue, event company, restaurants, magazine, department store, etc); and some open studios with a retail presence.
There may also be employment opportunities for a Wedding and Portrait photographer, in either full or part time positions.
Working for someone else can be more steady, but you may not be get paid as much, or have the same freedoms as if you work for yourself.
Risks and challenges
This is a very competitive industry, so you will need to be able to offer something unique to your clients to stand out. Putting together a portfolio of past work can demonstrate your abilities, and attract people to use your services over someone else.
How to become a Wedding and Portrait Photographer
You may complete a more general course in photography then specialise in wedding and portrait photography, or you may undergo studies to specialise in one or the other (or both). More importantly is a natural flair for photography, and lots of practice.
People will hire you for your unique perspective, so you will need to have a creative eye.
Since most photography is done digitally these days, you will also need to be competent at using technology – both cameras and computers.
You will need to have good communication and interpersonal skills to deal with a range of clients. You will need to be able to get them to relax so you can take photograph them at their best. You will need to develop good customer relations in order to secure on going or future work.
If you are working freelance, you will also need to have adequate business skills – in administration, marketing, managing finance, and so on.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP TODAY AND STUDY THIS COURSE.
