How To Become a Professional Wedding Photographer

Wedding photography is a huge subject and there is so much to learn. If this article puts you off then this might not be a bad thing, the last thing you want to do is ruin someones day. But if you feel you have all these things in check then you could probably consider starting out.

I want to look at what works and what skills are needed in order to make it as a wedding photographer reading, then after that I will write more specifically about starting up, the flow of the day and something about marketing.

PHOTOGRAPHY

This list can't be comprehensive but its designed to pick some main points as a guideline.

Wedding Photography is hard work

Being a professional wedding photographer is hard work, its tiring and difficult. Its a one of the best tests of photography skills you can have. You must work fast and generally you need get it everything right first time, even 10 hours in when you are exhausted.

Its about people

Wedding Photography is also very much about people, this needs to sink in. Being lost in the back of your camera analyzing pictures and fiddling around with settings will get you nowhere fast. You have to be able to just work the camera and get it right and know its right. You will have to be focused carefully on what is happening around you. Practice as much as you need to, replace your shutter once a year if you need to and fire as many frames as you need practicing.

Anticipation is key

When you are watching and just as importantly listening to what is happening around you then you can capture moments. Capturing moments is one of those things that isn't always well understood. Its easy to capture moments as photographers that are of little meaning to a couple but that you find pleasing. You must be sure to get moments of emotion, you can fill around this with arty shots and do whatever you like but if you miss the emotion you missed the wedding. This being said, there are many weddings where the emotion does not visibly run that high. This is where being good at posed shots is vital as you can stimulate real reactions of emotion from people.

Dont shoot for photographers

Often the more arty shots attract couples. But you are shooting for the bride and groom, they are your clients. So what you see as a cool bit of lighting will generally mean nothing to the bride and groom. However, if you can combine this with anything that resembles a good moment then you are on to a winner. This is the key to higher end wedding photography and something to keep in mind for later. When you are starting out it is important to focus on moments.

Light, colour, texture, gesture

with wedding photography we must nearly always have gesture in our key images. Gesture means some kind of look or emotion from the subject, it may be thoughtfulness or tears or some kind of look, it might just be a smile. In my eyes if you can add one or multiples of these factors, then you are on to something. Most photographers go to the point of having good but not interesting lighting and good gesture, going beyond that is what separates people. When you are just starting you need to shoot for gesture and good lighting. If you can add to that colour and/or texture and more adventurous light you are beyond a beginner.

Don't be precious about your gear

As a professional photographer your kit is what you work with. You aren't an amateur with their favourite toy now. You are using your camera gear for work. Pro bodies are tough and so are pro lenses. They will take a fair beating. This doesn't mean throw it around but if you are carrying your camera as you would carry a baby then are probably wasting a lot of energy being precious with your gear. I work without lens caps, so i can change lenses quickly. My lens caps are in a drawer somewhere. I don't care if my camera bodies have scratches on them, I'm getting shots. I'm not throwing my camera in the air though to get that amazing ariel view of the venue haha.

Understand your lenses and focal lengths

For instance, I shoot a 70-200 2.8 a lot. I don't shoot it because I want to stand far away. I shoot it because of the perspective it gives me. If I'm too far away I move. I shoot the 24-70 for the perspective it gives me. Granted you cant always back up, but you need to understand focal lengths and how perspective changes with it.

Zooms or primes

It doesn't matter, as long as you have covered the focal ranges that suit you.

Check your backgrounds

Other than your subject, the background of your image takes up the rest of the frame. So pay attention to what is in it.

Understand light

If the terms short lighting, glamour lighting and broad lighting leave you typing a Google search then you should probably get familiar with lighting techniques. These are basic.
Its OK to shoot in one of the auto modes

Yeah I said it, it's OK. Get over it. Just as long as you fully understand and know how to shoot in manual. You will have many times in a wedding where shooting manual is the easiest way to shoot.

Practice

I shoot every day. Every Day I shoot something, even if its just watching TV and I mess around shooting things on the table. I'm trying things all the time.

Experiment

Try as much as you can to experiment in your own time, not on their wedding. Try settings out. Do things that are different. Do something that pushes you. Say today you will only shoot at iso 6400. See what you can do in post with it. Make it work. Today you will shoot manual white balance only. Today I will shoot at f8 all day. Today I will shoot wide open all day. etc.

Well this is my basic guide, I'm not writing any more that's enough. I will be running wedding photography courses in the future that go into much more detail. I will be showing how to shoot each part of the day as a beginner wedding photographer. I think you would be surprised how much more information and technique can go into shooting a wedding. If you are interested in this kind of training then please visit RP Photography By Design for more information.

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How To Make The Leap From Amateur Photographer To Professional

Those new to this idea can be taken by surprise, and may even feel a little uncomfortable at the prospect of running a business where their photography is now a product that needs to be sold.

However, no one can run a successful photography studio in the long term if they persist with the idea of being primarily a photographer, while ignoring the necessary business aspects.

Professional Photography Is Fun, But It's No Game

Despite the serious nature of the photography business, being a professional photographer can be a lot of fun, highly rewarding, and deeply satisfying in the creative sense. Unfortunately, too many new pro photographers treat their business like an easy game, which is the fastest path to a business meltdown and ultimate failure.

But how can an amateur photographer who does take this seriously actually make the leap to becoming a professional photographer?

Start With An Inventory

The first thing to do is to take a complete inventory of everything the photographer already has that can be used for the business:

• Cameras and lenses (both primary and backup).
• Lighting equipment (indoor studio and portable lighting).
• Backdrops, props, and stands.
• Miscellaneous photographic and studio gear.
• Computing equipment, software and hardware.
• Office equipment and necessary supplies (for example, printers and ink).
• Physical studio space (rented or at home).

Most amateurs probably have many of these things to begin with, but it's important not to get bogged down with the details. Instead, list the available resources as a starting point. There will undoubtedly be gaps that need to be filled. For example, backup cameras are critical for the wedding photographer where failure on someone's wedding day is not an option!

With that said, this is no time to start shopping for all the latest and greatest gear! The idea that photographers must own the latest high dollar camera in order to be successful, for example, is a myth. The time to invest in better equipment is later on, when the business is generating sufficient revenue.

At the time of making the jump from amateur to professional photographer there's something far more important to be invested in - business and marketing education.

Invest In Knowledge - Not Just Equipment

For some reason business education is a difficult thing to persuade many photographers to invest in, but taking the time and effort to do so really separates the wannabes from the truly dedicated professionals.

Therefore, as soon as the photographer makes the decision to go pro, that's the time to figure out where their own personal strengths and weaknesses are with regard to business, accounting, marketing, and sales.

Of course, photography skills and a dedication to the art of photography are still important for creating a quality product, but they won't matter if the photographer has very little idea of how to run a business.

The early days in business are the time when the photographer is simply unaware of the things they need to know, but don't (in other words, "blind spots"), and a better understanding of where they are in their personal business development is of critical importance.

For example, here are some areas that most newcomers to the business should give serious thought to:

• Branding
• The importance of a positive business attitude and mindset
• How to create an attractive product range and price it accordingly
• Business communication skills - written and verbal
• Search engine optimization
• Persuasive copywriting
• Marketing know-how
• How to build relationships with other businesses
• Sales techniques and overall confidence in selling
• Creating and maintaining positive client relationships
• Business administration, such as legal and accounting tasks

Some of these may require extensive training, but education is perhaps one of the best investments to be made in any photography business.

Ultimately, the amateur-turned-professional photographer is now the CEO of a new business venture, and should therefore approach the acquisition of knowledge and skills required to run the business in just the same way as any other serious business owner would be expected to do.

About The Author

Nigel Merrick is a professional photographer, author, blogger and business coach for other working photographers. Learn more about how to make the leap from amateur to professional photographer on the Zenologue photography business and marketing website.

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Great Nature Photography On A Cloudy Day

Nature photography relies on your sensitivity to the natural light above all else. You have surely heard that for good landscape photography, you generally want sunny conditions, early or late in the day when the light is low and soft. However, this does not apply to every situation, and busy lifestyles do not always allow us to choose the conditions in which we take our photos.

Have you ever planned and set aside a day to get out and practice your nature photography, only to wake up to grey, cloudy skies? You are not alone, this happens to us all; professional and beginner alike. And of course when you are traveling, you often only have one chance to take your photos before moving on, so you have to make the best of the situation as you find it.

Photographers, don't despair. There are many situations that suit cloudy skies just fine; in fact, there are some situations when cloudy skies are the best option for a good nature photo. Here are just a few situations that you could explore when cloudy weather threatens to derail your photography outing.

#1. Rainforest Photography. When the sun shines brightly through the rainforest canopy, it creates patches of light and shade that make perfect exposure next to impossible. You simply can't manage the contrast in these conditions. Cloudy weather is actually the best way to take good rainforest photos. Some would say the cloudier the better, because if your rainforest is high enough to be in the clouds, you can capture some very atmospheric misty effects in the forest.

I live in South East Queensland, so I am close to both the beach and some fabulous rainforest. My rule is: If it's sunny, go to the beach. If the weather is grey and cloudy, grab your camera and head for the rainforest.

#2. Wildlife Photography (Pets and People Too). Bright sunlight can be a problem when shooting wildlife. In the middle part of the day, the sun can create heavy shadows which make exposure difficult, and rob your photo of essential colour and detail that gives the subject its character. Worst of all, sunlight can create shadows on the face of your subject. As you know, the critical part of any good wildlife photo is the eyes. If the eyes in your photo are lost in shadow, the personal connection with the subject is lost.

Animals do not like looking into the sun any more than you do, so even early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when the light is softer, photography can be difficult. More often than not, you will probably find your subject turning away from the light.

If you take your photo on a cloudy day, you can capture your wildlife subject in soft, even light that allows perfect exposure without ugly shadows. There will also be less glare reflecting off shiny surfaces (a snake's skin, a bird's feathers etc.) so your picture can actually appear more colourful.

#3. Sunset Photography. Clouds create a much more interesting sunset photo than clear skies. All you need is for the sun to break through the clouds as they cross the horizon. A good nature photographer learns to read the sky and try to predict what is coming. Often on a grey, cloudy day you will notice that the only patch of clear sky is far away near the horizon. If that is the case, you can go looking for a good location and set up for your sunset photo.

With a bit of luck, there will be several breaks in the clouds before the sun goes down. If so, you could be on the spot to photograph spectacular sunbeams, a truly wonderful effect that every nature photography hopes to capture.

Like all things in nature photography, all the planning in the world means nothing without a bit of luck. You may get your photo all set up, only to see the gap in the clouds close and your chance of a good photo disappear. Persistence wins in the end, so keep trying and from time to time you will end up with some breathtaking sunset photos.

I hope that next time you wake up to cloudy skies, you will not let that stop you from getting out there to take some great nature photos. As your experience grows, you will find it easier to read the light and know what sort of photography suits the conditions. Until then, practice, practice, practice!

After 20 years as a professional nature photographer, Andrew Goodall has turned to teaching his skills to others. His work concentrates on both the technical and the artistic skills of nature photography. Find Andrew's images and ebooks at http://www.naturesimage.com.au

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African Wildlife Photographer - 7 Reasons Why it Could Be You!

If you're anything like me you see an African wildlife photographer on the TV and you wish it could be you. Out there in the bush with lions, elephant, cheetah, rhino, hippo. The amazing, evocative sights and sounds. Well what if it could be you? What if you found out that all you needed was the enthusiasm?

Well, not quite all. You'll need a digital SLR camera of course with an 18-55 lens, and as much memory as you can afford. Well you wouldn't want to miss anything. More lenses might be helpful to you but that will depend on you, it's not a requirement. Nor is any experience. You would be going to Africa to learn.

There's a catch, of course, but it's one you will probably be more than happy with. You will need to work with one of the volunteer wildlife conservation organizations, and as a volunteer you have to pay your way. But then what would you pay to have a photography expert give you tuition while taking pictures in the African bush? This isn't instructions from a book, this is actually being there.

Here are the kind of things involved:

1. You will have the highly qualified, intensive help of a professional photographer in one of Africa's spectacular national parks. You will have the opportunity to photograph the stunning scenery, like Victoria Falls or those strange Baobab trees, and the magnificent animals.

2. Your photographs will help build a valuable and important library of wildlife which will raise awareness of conservation issues.

3. You will be able to share your knowledge and enthusiasm, using your photography to help educate local children so that generations to come can preserve and manage these areas.

4. While part of the time you are an African wildlife photographer, at other times you can help in the actual regeneration and preservation of the bush itself.

5. With the help of expert guides you can become an expert on the local flora and fauna. A photographer who knows their subject intimately is always a better photographer.

6. You can increase the scope and diversity of your portfolio. If professional photography is your aim, how much better will your chances be with this kind of spectacular imagery in your arsenal?

7. Experience the adventure that is Africa and make friendships that will last a lifetime.

So yes, you could be that African wildlife photographer. Alternatively I suppose you could visit your local zoo, but you know that's never going to be the same.

For the latest news and info on becoming a volunteer African wildlife photographer please visit Your African Adventure.com. This is your chance to become a part of those things you've dreamed about and help conserve the wildlife you love at the same time!

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The Best Camera Brands For Wildlife Photography

The photography business is becoming more and more competitive with each passing day, with millions of people taking photos every minute and the big camera brands launching new equipment constantly. But for the serious photographer, there are some brands that will always be preferred before others.

It surely depends on the personal preferences and with increased experience comes an increased knowledge about the pros and cons of each camera brand in the world. There is undoubtedly an emotional factor when choosing a camera brand, but usually, professionals tend to choose those cameras that best suit their everyday needs. So let us take a look at the best camera brands for wildlife photography.

As the name suggests, wildlife photography concerns the action of photographing wildlife and is a special domain in photography, with passionate photographers around the world, that spend hours and days in nature, waiting for that perfect moment and shot. Technically, wildlife photography is a little more difficult than usual photography, mostly because the photographer has to search harder for the subject of its interest.

Also, this type of photography requires better equipment, with full-frame cameras and long and fast lenses, that allow the photographer to shoot far and focus really fast. The best camera brands for wildlife photography usually offer all these characteristics and are preferred by the majority of photographers.

Among the camera manufacturers, there are three names that usually pop up in every situation: Nikon, Canon and Sony. There are surely other camera brands, like Panasonic, Samsung and many more, but professionals usually use one of the top three, with Nikon and Canon fighting for the supremacy. It ultimately depends on the preferences and first-hand experiences of each photographer. Professional wildlife photographers usually look for the following characteristics when looking at the best camera brands for wildlife photography:

Camera sensor - Usually translated in the number of pixels of the final image, bigger is always better, as wildlife photography is about capturing things from afar. Sometimes, even with the longest telephoto lenses, the subject is rather far and the image needs to be cropped in order to express what the photographer wants, so bigger image sensors allow for bigger and better crops. There are surely other quality factors implied and the best photographers usually find the perfect combination.

The choice of lenses - One of the most important factors in choosing camera brands, the wider and the better choice of lenses available, the better that brand is for wildlife photography. Usually, in this field of photography, there is a big need for good telephoto lenses, that can zoom extremely far and take good shots when doing so. Also, these long lenses must have wide apertures, allowing fast and steady focus at long distances and in natural light.

Durability and toughness - When speaking about wildlife photography, everyone knows the difficulties and obstacles faced by photographers. They usually spend a lot of time in tough environments, surrounded by nature, so their cameras and lenses must be extremely strong in order to withstand harsh conditions like heavy rain, intense heat, dust and so many other things.

Weight of equipment - Lastly, the best camera brands for wildlife photography must also offer a good balance between the quality and the weight of the equipment. Considering that photographers must carry all their stuff in the most extreme places, while still being able to move fast and silent, weight is definitely an issue.

Discover the best camera brands for wildlife photography.

Download John Kilmerstones's Beautiful Photos at www.ExtremeTravelPhotography.com

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Use of Camera Tripod, a Must for Perfect Photography!

Are you a photography lover? But your shaky hand is ruining your spirit? Why not try a camera tripod? Let us see how this camera tripod enhances your shots like an expert.

Owing to different forms of motion pictures and photography, different kinds of camera tripods are available in the market. It is highly useful for both newcomers as well as professional photographers. The major reason for its widespread use is that it facilitates the video stabilizer in addition to photography and keeps the camera stable from moving, imparting an awesome picture quality for you to keep your memories alive.

Key areas where it is used!

• Motion Picture Screening: In the making up of a motion picture, the video stabilizer is of utmost importance. A camera dolly is a camera on wheels which presents an excellent use of the camera tripods. For instance when a camera is mounted on it, it is equipped with camera tripod that helps avoiding the picture to get blurred when the camera moves around.

• Static Photography: If you are wondering that if you are not making a film then you need not buy a camera tripod, then you are mistaken as it is critically important in static photography as well. As far as professional photographers are concerned, a camera tripod is essential for them to click some conspicuous shots.

• Wildlife photography: Inspired by the movie 3 Idiots? Want to become a wildlife photographer? Then you should second your thoughts by purchasing a camera tripod. For wildlife photography, it is obvious that a lion or any other wild animal would not pose for you. You need to be swift in your job while at the same time be able to take some striking clicks. Well, the process is indeed facilitated by a camera tripod which keeps your photos stable.

• A camera tripod is even more essential for a fresher. There are numerous clicks which a novice photographer aims to take. For instance, recently in UK the Northern Lights were visible. Many amateur photographers swarmed in like bees and tried to capture this beauty of nature in their cameras. But all in vain, as later it was judged that it was only possible to capture this remarkable natural phenomenon with perfectly still cameras, that is, with the ones equipped with a tripod.

Technical Blueprint:

I firmly recommend that when you purchase your first camera tripod; get the best one that you can afford. Albeit, some tripods do not work with every available camera in the market, therefore be extremely careful.

• Huge Tripods: The gigantic tripods would be perfect for studios where you do not have to move the camera time and again. After all, it your model who needs to move and give raunchy poses and not the camera!


• Light-weighed tripods: An outdoor application might require something that is light-weighed. Obviously, you can not underestimate the difficulties which you might suffer with while carrying the heavy stand up a hill to capture a splendid sunset!


• Weight specifications: Make sure to read the weight specifications carefully prior to choosing the 3- legged critter. It is been in the air that most of the manufacturers rate their products over the high weight scale. Thus, it is of due importance to make sure that your beast is a little kilos below their recommendations. This will possibly shield your gadget from any sort of damage.


• A 3-leeged or a 4-legged tripod! There are even tripods available that possess four legs. But a three-legged camera tripod is preferable because it is lighter and easy to carry to. Moreover, you need to be assured that your device can be grounded in addition to touching the sky. The more your tripod gets grounded the less grainy your pictures will be.


• Zenith's height or dignity at ground! While setting up your tripod you need to find a leveled ground. So you can try taking a click of a sunrise from a slanting hill just by shortening the leg which is on the upward slope.

Hopefully now you understand all the complexities of a camera tripod and that itself ensures that your every click will be better than the previous. Good luck and happy working!!

Camera Tripods

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Make Photography Your Dream Career

Ever thought of becoming a professional photographer? If taking photographs is your passion, you can turn it into a lucrative career and earn a considerable amount of money, depending on your skills and experience. Most industries these days require photographers; be it a commercial photographer, wedding, portrait, crime-scene or news photographer, professionalism is the key to success and good skills in photography will go a long way in securing your job. Exclusive and insider secrets in photography can lead you to work even in other related fields such as films, television, fashion and Gourmet cooking.

If you have an artistic bend, coupled with imagination and a good eye to spot the unusual and also have a creative mind, you should most certainly enroll yourself in a good college of photography or learn from a pro on how to enhance your skills. There is so much more to photography than pointing your camera at an object and clicking. In order to prepare yourself for your dream career in the field of arts and entertainment, you might have to use unique methods or even invest in additional equipment.

One of the first things you will learn in this industry is about photographic equipment; the various types of cameras and their uses. You will be initially taught about techniques and how to handle the cameras, the theoretical as well as the practical side of photography, dark room work, computer software, digital imaging, color processing and everything else related to becoming a highly skilled photographer.

Then of course there is wild life and nature photography which has become very popular in recent times. While all of us love to turn the pages of the National Geographic Magazine to view the stunning real life images shown, there is no reason why anyone cannot capture an entrancing shot of wild animals or even a picture book scenery at any time of the day or night if we possess the correct equipment and have the knowledge about lighting, optics and filters.

With more and more people turning to the internet for finding employment, a course in photography would become very useful when submitting content to the web. In a very competitive market, the work submitted by a highly skilled photographer will at most times win a bid or contract as a result of his technical expertise and know how; whereas an amateur photographer might not know all the tricks of the trade that would enable him to get the job.

If you are not really interested in becoming a professional photographer, but want to do it as part-time work, there is enough and more freelance work to go around; and serious or not, a course in photography, will always help you to get more work than your competitors.

These photography courses will also teach an aspiring photographer on diverse subjects such as how to take photographs of a crime-scene, photographing for scientific journals, weddings, industrial brochures, preparation of portfolios or even enter the very popular and highly in demand market of photo journalism. You will also learn about the legal aspect of photography, copyrights, how to sell online and also tips on how to increase your earnings.

There are any numbers of photographers who have made a great name for themselves in the dynamic field of photography, and there is absolutely no reason why you too cannot become famous, if you have enough passion and commitment for it.

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