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I've been toying with doing a wedding or two, as some friends have expressed an interest.
I can imagine its the sort of thing you cant really practise, so your first clients have got to be fairly brave, as have you the first time photographer.
Is there some good info of where to start.
I guess its a bit hard to get an existing photographer to let you shadow them?
I also guess equipment is a first issue, like having a spare body etc.
Many thanks
Jules.
Jules,
I'm doing my first wedding on the 28th of Dec. I did manage to spend some time with a wedding photographer and went to 2 of the weddings they did. The first time I just spent the time observing, the second time I took my camera and took a few shots in different styles.
You could always try going to your local churches and seeing when the next weddings are going to be. As they are public functions you can observe what the photographer is doing.
I have a compact digital as a back up camera (not ideal but better than no pics) and I do have a film camera, but I would not like to rely on that for the images.
I got this job without advertising, as I was recommended to them. I did not want to get into weddings just yet but after this one, I will have a complete wedding album and shots from other weddings I have attended to be able to show to potential clients
I guess it all depends on when you are going to be doing the wedding? I have no problems telling you what I did in preparation for this wedding and what was passed on to me from other wedding photogs. If I have any weddings come up prior to the wedding you are considering doing then I would have no problem inviting you along. I think it would be just a little short notice for the wedding Im doing on the 28th though.
I think the guild of wedding photogs are holding seminars etc.. in Coventry on the weekend of the 15th of Jan, there is a trade show there as well.
Pauline/Glenn.
The Guild of Wedding Photographers would not be my first recommendation. They have recently collapsed (Focus last year) and have only just been taken over again. The old Guild was a great resource but it is now not recommended by many wedding pro's.
Glenn is referring to the SWPP who are holding their convention in Coventry between the 14th and 16th January. Which I will be attending. (BTW Glenn I'll be at Autosport International on the Friday - my accreditation cam through over the weekend). The SWPP have stepped in strongly to fill the gap left by the Guild and are the only available association for the semi-professional wedding photographer (The MPA and BIPP are full-time pros only).
Jules,
This is not something to toy with - even friends can suddenly turn nasty if you ruin the photographs of their most special day. Contracts and both personal liability and professional indemnity insurance are really a must, as are backup cameras and lenses and flashguns etc.
I can't recommend enough finding a pro wedding studio and assisting for a good while to understand the flow, styles, techniques, weather conditions, different venues etc...if you are lucky they might also let you understand the marketing, booking, proofing, and album creation process. It is not just about taking the photographs....80% of wedding photography is about people management. I spent about 16 months working for a studio before doing my own weddings, and I'm still learning every single time.
HTH
Mike
Jules Sorry to hear they folded they were brilliant for pricing contracts ect, Jules It is very very scary first time around and scary every time but that keeps you on your toes but I always enjoyed it, I always got to know the bride and groom well before the day and found this the best way, hope it all goes well and Go for it, we can always sit on our bottoms thinking about it but enjoy it and make sure you take out the insurances ALWAYS.
Pauline.
Be very careful about using photos from weddings you attended in any portfolio.
I have a clause in my wedding contract to state that the B+G agree that I will be the only shooter on the day and that they will inform guests as such.
At a recent wedding I had a girl who was wanting to become pro assist me (well I need assisting at the minute) but an wannabe was warned off about standing over my shoulder after I'd spent the time and effort arranging shots.
There was a big discussion recently between wedding photog friends of mine about someone who had attended a couple of weddings by them and had stood over their shoulder and shot similar shots and used them in their portfolio and even on their website. Needless to say their name is now mud before they even get going, and dont underestimate that - it counts for a lot.
Be open and ask first, if refused then thats ok, if not then fire away.
Well Keith, I have a contract with granny and her halina and exclusive rights to anything half decent 
Joe, on the ones I went to I have written permission from the pro photog that I can use the images in a portfolio but I am restricted to no online use and not to resell. Copies of all images taken I also provided even though they were not asked for by the pro, I believe I had an image on there that he did not have and he has used in the final album!
As to turning up at local weddings, I was talking about observing what is happening not photographing.
A word of warning.
I used to work (for a short time) for a car hire firm who did wedding cars. There is a certain Photo Studio in Cambridge, and if they were doing the photo's then our governor would up the price for the cars, to compensate for the undue delays caused by the photographers. He could book two weddings on a Saturday afternoon with any other studio doing the photo's, but not that one. He would rather forego the job.
Confidence, don't doubt your ability to get the job done. It is relatively easy to record the proceedings (photographed a few friends wedding's), even easier to muck it up, another thing altogether to get a pro like result. Pro's like Mike always warn about insurance, and their knowledge should not be ignored, however, if you intend to have the bride and groom pay for the costs only then you are not acting on a professional basis and as such do not require insurance, it isn't your responsibility as you are nothing more than a guest taking some photo's, you are not receiving payment for your services in kind or otherwise. If, however, you intend to make on the deal, then you are selling a professional service and not only need insurance, but and accountant.
I can't really add much about photographing a wedding and the advice about gear, but if you use flash make sure you also take the same shot without (I had a flash synch problem, but didn't find out until the negs were blown). I do find it of great importance to enjoy yourself, it's good for the nerves, it is a special time for two people so enjoy the moment, revel in their joy, be happy for them and you will excel. Oh and definitely go and watch a couple of weddings, got to be the best bit of advice, plagiarise if you have to, that is copy what seems to work, very little is new in wedding photography. And finally, have a plan and agree it with your friends, oh, and one last thing get an assistant, definitely get an assistant.
That's it I've said my bit, right or wrong, it worked for me and my friends.
Stephen
Stephen (BPA) in regards to your statement on not requiring insurance. Accidents do happen and someone at the venue could trip over your bag or tripod and injure themselves and damage your equipment. In most cases now, especially with the no win no fee claims. Anyone having an accident like that will be more than likely to put in a claim against you. From what you are also saying a professional photographer is not professional unless they are charging for more than the cost of the prints?
I'm doing a wedding soon and I am charging for it, above the cost of prints. So you could say that is on a professional basis! I'm also going to photograph my brothers wedding next year, I'm not charging him for his photos as it will be my wedding present to them (they do have to provide a wedding album though) So since I'm not earning any money for the shots am I now no longer professional?
In my opinion, if you are asked to do the job, regardless of the payment then you are the official photographer and therefore have a responsibility for the safety of the other guests at the wedding as well.
For the record Professional: "One who makes his living by some art, sport etc, as distinguished from someone who does it for pleasure" (as per the dictionary), for free as a favour does not equate to professional. However, to quote your profile "Currently in the early stages of my own photography business", tis a little different than someone who has been asked to do a favour. I would agree that you need insurance, but do I, after all I have a camera bag and am not a pro or aspiring pro, should I get liabilty insurance for when I take my bag out of the house, crickey my wife has a number of bags, maybe we should both have insurance, what should I do with all my shopping, not carry it for fear of a law suit, after all no win no fee!
Yes I am being flippant, but doing someone a favour is a lot different from doing it as a profession, I would expect you or any pro to have it, but me or anyone with a camera, my mum for her pocket zoom cam, she could bump into someone when taking a picture at a wedding, it could be carnage. Hey if you want insurance, go an get some, if not live dangerously!
Stephen
ps Have you ever helped a friend with a computer, ever been sued or carry insurance for that?
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