Why do I want to shoot weddings?

[CaroleHayes]

I started a thread a day or two ago, in the wedding forum, asking for equipment advice. I did get some good and helpful advice (thanks to all of you!), but I was also surprised at the responses from people who were questioning WHY I want to be a wedding photographer, or even trying to scare me away from it.

The latest couple of responses I got prompted me to start this thread:

You really need to assist or tagalong before you drop a few thousand dollars on lenses. I dont think this can be emphasized enough.


WHY do you want to shoot weddings?

...One would be ensuring you really want to photograph weddings; doing it well is a LOT of work.

I understand wedding photography isn't for everybody, but I don't understand why anybody would automatically assume that I haven't thought this through, and try to talk me out of it.

I have my own reasons for wanting to shoot weddings, just like everyone else has their own reasons for shooting weddings/sports/family portraits/senior portraits/nature/landscapes/macro/whatever.

Maybe I just like the pretty dresses.

Whatever my reasons, this is what I've decided that I'd like to do, and I would love it if I could just try to learn how to do it well, without people trying to talk ME out of it, because it isn't something that THEY enjoy.

I AM appreciating all of the helpful advice that's been given, and am always open to more. I just really don't want people to try to to tell me I'm making a mistake, without even knowing anything about me or my motivation. (I have my mom for that.) But I also don't think I should have to explain myself and my motivation.

Please just accept that I'm a grown woman making an educated decision, and I'm trying to get as much help from those who know more than I do as I can, so this goes as smoothly as is possible.

Thanks for letting me vent, and please feel free to offer any helpful advice that you may have for me!

[toverman]

You said in the other thread that you know nothing about photography. To even know if you want to shoot weddings, it is helpful to know what it takes to successfully photograph a one-time event in typically poor light, where there are pressures you probably haven't thought of. I am not trying to talk you out of anything. You asked, we gave opinions and then you became defensive. Doesn't mean our opinions are any better than yours, except that many of us have photography and wedding-photography experience.

I've spent enough time on the discussion, now in multiple threads.

[Truckman]

Having participated unsuccessfully in two weddings as the prize chump, I'll avoid them in the future......But as a photo subject, I'd say shoot what interests you...If you have a passion for your subject matter it will show in your work...Go for it, girl......Ben

[CaroleHayes]

I didn't say I know nothing about photography—I said I don't know how to use my camera, or what equipment to buy. The question in the other thread was "what equipment will I need?" not "should I be a wedding photographer?".

I also didn't say that I was planning on starting to shoot weddings right away, before learning how to do it properly. That was you, and others, making assumptions.

If I'm defensive, it's because I'm feeling a bit attacked, when all I did was ask for equipment advice.

CaroleHayes added 1 Minutes and 14 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by Truckman

Having participated unsuccessfully in two weddings as the prize chump, I'll avoid them in the future......But as a photo subject, I'd say shoot what interests you...If you have a passion for your subject matter it will show in your work...Go for it, girl......Ben

Thank you! I know MANY people hate them, but I believe that I won't.

[AllenAyres]

Originally Posted by CaroleHayes

Whatever my reasons, this is what I've decided that I'd like to do, and I would love it if I could just try to learn how to do it well, without people trying to talk ME out of it, because it isn't something that THEY enjoy.

I AM appreciating all of the helpful advice that's been given, and am always open to more. I just really don't want people to try to to tell me I'm making a mistake, without even knowing anything about me or my motivation. (I have my mom for that.) But I also don't think I should have to explain myself and my motivation.

Please just accept that I'm a grown woman making an educated decision, and I'm trying to get as much help from those who know more than I do as I can, so this goes as smoothly as is possible.

You don't want to share your motivation, and you don't want people to question it either... hmmm...

Understanding someone's motivation for doing something would give the experienced photographer sharing information freely a lot more to go on when giving the correct advice.

Sorry, we don't know each other, but the "just shut up and tell me what I want to know" attitude won't get your very far in your quest for free information from experienced pros. You'd fair better attending paid seminars, conventions, etc. - or just read the million and one topics that already address "what lens do I need to buy" - search is your friend.

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by CaroleHayes

I started a thread a day or two ago, in the wedding forum, asking for equipment advice. I did get some good and helpful advice (thanks to all of you!), but I was also surprised at the responses from people who were questioning WHY I want to be a wedding photographer, or even trying to scare me away from it.
...

I understand wedding photography isn't for everybody, but I don't understand why anybody would automatically assume that I haven't thought this through, and try to talk me out of it.

I have my own reasons for wanting to shoot weddings, just like everyone else has their own reasons for shooting weddings/sports/family portraits/senior portraits/nature/landscapes/macro/whatever.

Maybe I just like the pretty dresses.

Whatever my reasons, this is what I've decided that I'd like to do, and I would love it if I could just try to learn how to do it well, without people trying to talk ME out of it, because it isn't something that THEY enjoy.

I AM appreciating all of the helpful advice that's been given, and am always open to more. I just really don't want people to try to to tell me I'm making a mistake, without even knowing anything about me or my motivation. (I have my mom for that.) But I also don't think I should have to explain myself and my motivation.

Please just accept that I'm a grown woman making an educated decision, and I'm trying to get as much help from those who know more than I do as I can, so this goes as smoothly as is possible.

Thanks for letting me vent, and please feel free to offer any helpful advice that you may have for me!

I understand wedding photography isn't for everybody, but I don't understand why anybody would automatically assume that I haven't thought this through, and try to talk me out of it.

I read the other thread, and I can understand why you would feel frustrated with some of the responses that you received questioning your motivations for weddings.

but, I can understand why the responses were given.

When you ask a question for advice on equipment, their is an unspoken perception that you would be inexperienced with that particular type of shooting (otherwise you would know what equipment you need to capture the type of images that you want to capture) It is this unspoken perception that is being addressed in those responses.

I have my own reasons for wanting to shoot weddings, just like everyone else has their own reasons for shooting weddings/sports/family portraits/senior portraits/nature/landscapes/macro/whatever.

I have my reasons for shooting what I like to shoot. I like to shoot sports. Like you, I do not have all of the equipment that I need to effectively shoot all types of sports, but unlike you, I do know what equipment to use for what situation. I also know enough about photography to know why some equipment works in some situations, and where it will fall short in others.

The advice that you recieved questioning your motivations may have not been what you wanted to hear, but it seems to me it is the obvious correct answer to the question of helping you save money. If you are planning on going into a photographic endeavor where you charge others for your skill, you really need to have those skills. I would suggest classes or workshops that will get your level of understanding of photographic concepts to a minimal level, prior to even thinking about making another purchase. It seems that you are wanting to put the cart way before the horse.

This is a lot more harsh sounding than I intended when I set out to write a response, and it is not meant to be an indictment of you or your photographic skill. But from the question presented there are some perceptions that cannot be ignored.

[CaptainTom]

I would recommend you learn your equipment so well that you can "shoot in your sleep". Organize all your equipment in a manner where you can find something and put it to use with your eyes closed.
You don't have time at a wedding to read the manual, figure out what cord plugs into what slot, decide where your extra batteries are, etc.
When that bride comes down the aisle and your flash fails to fire, you'd better have an instant solution to the problem.
When shooting a wedding, there are very few "do overs". You can have the best eye and the best equipment and get some terrific candids, but if you miss the bride and groom kissing at the alter, that's what they'll complain about.
As far as what equipment to buy. I'd suggest going on some weddings with another photographer and see what they use, and ask them why they use it.
Styles are different, and because I like to use a 24-105 f4IS lens doesn't mean it would work as well for you.

This board is ripe with people with many years experience. We aren't trying to discourage you, but rather to encourage you to get the experience and "do it right". Otherwise, we all look bad.

[ggeen]

Cpt. Tom in the gem in the rubble of coal. -G

[Jeff_Green]

As others have said, you need to test drive, IMO, before you buy. You don't buy a car without taking it for a spin. In the same manner, wedding photography is something you need to witness from a photographers point of view (with all the stresses and bridezillas and mothers of the bride) so you can truly see how difficult it is.

When I shoot a wedding I always say afterwards "I don't want to do this again", only to be asked again and accept... again. The reason I say that is because of the time crunch you are in, everyone in the party wanting pictures taken of their cute 3rd cousins neice, etc.

Weddings are stressful and before investing a lot of money into equipment for wedding photography you need to make sure 1) your passion will remain (or your motivation will remain), 2)you have what it takes to endure the stresses, 3)you have the business sense and all the appropriate business requirements for the state and city, and many other reasons.

[ara.bentley]

I think people were just trying to protect you from making a monetary investment and then not liking it later. I don't think anyone thinks you can't do it or have the wrong reasons - they just want you to know it can be a beast! I personally cannot do weddings and didn't know that until I tried (i get too nervous). I don't think anything said should be taken as a personal attack.

TPF is a gold mine of knowledge and the only place I have found that professionals are so willing to give good advice. Some of the advice makes sense to me and I take it! But if something doesn't match what I want to do or I don't think applies to me - I just leave it - and it just might someone else on the forum who is reading along but just to shy to ask the same question.

I wish you the best in your wedding endeavors and I hope you find the equipment you need! Knowledge and equipment are key in the wedding field!

[MelanieIvy]

A LOT of people want to shoot weddings because they think that's where the money is. They see it as one day of hard work and a nice paycheck for it. I know a few people who were wedding photographers, but weren't great photographers at all. Because of this, sometimes I can tend to be skeptical of those who say they are going to start doing weddings unless I know their background. I'm not saying I am of YOU - it's just probably the reason why so many people are skeptical of that specific goal. I'm reluctant to even mention that I want to eventually transition to weddings to others, because I know that everyone will be as equally skeptical about me doing it. But that makes me want to prove myself even more and work really hard to develop a foundation for it.

When I do talk about doing weddings, I always get the "I could NEVER do that. Working with those bridezillas all the time..." attitude from friends. But after planning my own wedding, I see it an entirely different way. Watching my wedding photographer and seeing the images that she captured inspired me to become a professional photographer, and I have been pursuing that goal really hard since last April because of her.

One thing to note is that if you let a little skepticism and criticism anger you, then being a wedding photographer is going to require a lot of work and changes in more ways than you realize. Learning photography has definitely pushed me to my limits and challenged me more than I can say.

[stacyreeves]

FWIW, I didn't see a single person in that thread telling you that you were making a mistake, just a lot of people warning you to get lots of experience and be prepared for a lot of hard work. As someone who has been a fulltime wedding photographer for going on three years and LOVES every bit of it, that's good solid advice that you can't hear enough.

[Michael Lyons]

mom2aiden?

[zebulus]

Weddings are Tough! Be prepared for alot of work. Ive only done one professional wedding and it was very difficult, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But I also enjoyed it thoroughly.

As far as my pictures...it turned out how I expected it to. I was not worried about the portraits at all, but was very worried about the ceremony. And I was right, in my opinion my posed shots looked great, but I was very dissapointed with the ceremony shots.

Its fun...but I need alot of practice. I like setting up shots, not very good at catching them.

[jesswhs1323]

I think most people's intentions are good for the most part when warning you. I think most just know how much hard work weddings are.

The actual wedding day takes a ton of preparation and education. Like Tom said, you must know your equipment inside and out.
For me weddings are the fun part. I really love doing them as stressful as they may be.
However, weddings are months and months or prep. and the business side is the most difficult side for me.
Weddings CAN be a nice paycheck if you do it right... but there are a lot of expenses. You have products to provide as well as paying your shooters.. etc...etc....etc
You have to think about taxes, insurance, contracts and oh yes.. that dreaded BRIDEZILLA who wonders why you arent returning her 11pm phone calls immediately!

If it is what you want to do ... do it =) I love it ... most of the time =)

Just do yourself a favor and be prepared

The first step is practice practice practice! Know your equipment! I worked a ton of free weddings doing the grunt work... then moved up to an assistant to the photograpaher... then a second shooter. I think once you really get experience with weddings talking with the lead photographer you can try out various equipment by renting from your local camera store. You can learn what fits your shooting style. I would NOT just go out and purchase a ton of equipment you have no idea how to use.

Once you confirm by helping with a lot of weddings you must prepare to become a business. I would recommend hiring a professional to help you set up your business properly