As a commercial photographer, having my portfolio viewed by clients brought a growing number of requests for wedding coverage. I politely declined of course but it also got me thinking…what’s the fuss with wedding photography?

Some have asked me: “What keeps you from doing weddings when you’ve got the background in commercial?” I say EXPERIENCE. Though I’m confident about the technical aspects of shooting, humility has taught me to relax and learn more; so that’s exactly what I did. Though I eagerly await Pilar Tuason’s workshop, another way for me to learn is to shoot! I write this to share my FIRST experience in wedding photography, and hopefully, to shed some light to those who wish to JUMP in. Most important, I’d like to know the thoughts of professional wedding photographers on the matter.

FIRST: GETTING INTO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

I “covered” my first wedding FREE OF CHARGE! Though I already have a portfolio for glamour/fashion/beauty/documentary, I had nothing to show for weddings. I NEEDED a little something to show and so I asked friends who were soon to be wed. CRUCIAL here is FREE OF CHARGE and my NEED for a wedding portfolio. A lot of professional wedding photographers may squirm in their seats reading this… fret not. I “covered” it free of charge but NOT AT THE EXPENSE of having a professional lose a project. I too have been shooting professionally for several years now and there’s nothing more annoying than knowing that rookies are giving their services dirt cheap, or even for free, simply because they cannot compete in quality. I will not discuss this in detail here since i-mag discussed this issue very well. Instead, I’d like to reiterate that my entry doesn’t come at the expense of other professionals’ potential income.

SECOND: THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

I was fortunate enough to shoot with Mr. Pat Dy himself, a fellow-Zombie (Zone V). My first step: Ask the official photographer if it’s okay to shoot along in spite of the go signal of the couple. My second step: Do not get in the way! The second is probably more difficult to achieve because when the shooting starts, one tends to be so engrossed in the moment. Thankfully, Pat said I didn’t. During the shoot, the technicals came instinctively, but when we entered the Church, white balance became a problem for me. It was the first time I’ve ever had difficulty with white balance since there was practically no time to change it so often. My secure option at that time was to use flash. Yes, I myself prefer NOT to use flash or avoid it in church, but like I said, that was the only instant fix I had for my WB issue. All throughout I set myself to think that I’m the official photographer so I can’t screw up. Good thing I wasn’t! Had I been bold enough to take on my previous requests, this would have ended my career. In commercial photography I have more than enough time for pre production and fine-tuning. Weddings don’t offer that luxury. Again, thank God I didn’t jump in!

Staying alert to capture the moment is already taxing enough; Add to that the required mindset to be constantly aware of the ceremonies and church rules, I’m beat!

THIRD: MY HEARTFELT THANKS

Thanks to Mr. Pat Dy, I experienced first hand how challenging it is to cover weddings. This experience brings me newfound respect and admiration for professional wedding photographers. Pat was very friendly and accommodating, even after the shoot he was kind enough to entertain my questions and give feedback.

To Pat and his crew,

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to tag along. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. More power to you!

Ms. Pilar, I’m still waiting for your workshop.

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Hi Pocholo,

I cannot say that I am a professional wedding photographer, yet. Though I've taken several weddings already, I still have a lot to learn. Like you, I also started doing it for free, just to get my portfolio going. Like you also, my "for free" doesn't mean I am short charging my fellow wedding photographers. And in fact, I actually worked side by side with a professional wedding photographer.

Judging by your pictures, you have a great potential to be one.

Keep up the good work!

Marco

Nice shots Pocholo! :) Well, to answer your title question... I guess so many photographers are into weddings coz, it's a perfect jamboree of alot of photographic disciplines... You have a taste of fashion, events, photojourne, portraiture... etc. Plus, for very obvious reasons that it is indeed a very lucrative business. :)

Thanks Pocholo for posting this. It's so great to read someone's first venture into wedding photography. From your post, I can see you're still overwhelmed by things and you might yet to figure out if you want to pursue weddings as a career. Don't worry about other professional wedding photographers, they will complain whether you jump in or not.

There's alot to consider like economics, market share, market behavior, style, workflow, logistics, etc. I'm only guessing but I think what you only have now is a strong technical and artistic foundation. But all things you lack can be learned from a workshop.

What the fuss with wedding photography? If you ask me, it's great. Very fulfilling. I love celebration of life. I love to see people very much in love with each other. I'm just there to capture it. In fashion and glamour, you have to create it.

Did you do the boring stuff like table shots & marching? In weddings, there's called Luneta shots wherein a guest will call you "Psst, photographer, kunan mo kami." Sometimes, "kunan moko pang passport, kailangan ko tomorrow eh." I hate it at first but I learned to love them because it makes me laugh.

Please post more pictures. I love to see wedding pictures coming from someone with fresh eyes.

I started shooting weddings for FREE too. It not only relieved the pressure from fear of failure but also allowed me to be selective of images I want to create. I love weddings as it gives me such a high when shooting under a one-chance-is-all-you've-got environment. You get into the zone and your tech skills just kick in by instinct. Perfect stress reliever for me. Just don't make me do albums.

Hi Pocholo.

I've been shooting DSLR only for the past seven months as a hobby, and i also got a chance to shoot two weddings. One for a relative and one for a freind, both shooting side by side a paid proffesional photographer. So as not to get in the way of the professional photographer, i just took candid moments and not the group poses.

I shot both weddings only with the intention of giving out a Photo frame to the couple as a pefect wedding present. In both cases, my labor was well worth it because it was appreciated by the newly weds.

http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL633/2936876/9252953/200791210.jpg

Pocholo,
That was an excellent post - which shows the kindness of your heart, your professionalism and your respect for fellow photographers.
More power to you.

Raffy, the couple would surely appreciate your present as you captured fine moments there. :)

Wow! Thanks for the response guys. Marco, thanks for the compliments.

Harvey, thanks so much. That meant a lot to me and I hope others would respect the industry as well so as not to bring more of the price wars...and this doesn't apply only to wedding photography!

Thanks Pocholo for posting this. It's so great to read someone's first venture into wedding photography. From your post, I can see you're still overwhelmed by things and you might yet to figure out if you want to pursue weddings as a career. Don't worry about other professional wedding photographers, they will complain whether you jump in or not.

There's alot to consider like economics, market share, market behavior, style, workflow, logistics, etc. I'm only guessing but I think what you only have now is a strong technical and artistic foundation. But all things you lack can be learned from a workshop.

What the fuss with wedding photography? If you ask me, it's great. Very fulfilling. I love celebration of life. I love to see people very much in love with each other. I'm just there to capture it. In fashion and glamour, you have to create it.

Did you do the boring stuff like table shots & marching? In weddings, there's called Luneta shots wherein a guest will call you "Psst, photographer, kunan mo kami." Sometimes, "kunan moko pang passport, kailangan ko tomorrow eh." I hate it at first but I learned to love them because it makes me laugh.

Please post more pictures. I love to see wedding pictures coming from someone with fresh eyes.
Dino,

Thanks for your valuable inputs. Yes, I'm definitely overwhelmed and I can't even begin to describe it. But I think the most difficult part for me was choosing what to wear! Hahaha! I'm a very chunky guy - with most chunk in the gut - so neckties and long sleeves are out of the question for me. I'd rather invest in lenses than King Phillip, lest I be denied entrance to affairs :Grin:

Strong technical and artistic foudation? Wow! That's probably one of the best compliments I ever got from a fellow photographer. Seriously man, thanks! As for the boring stuff - well, they're boring indeed and no, I didn't get to shoot them. I was too scared to get in the way of Pat.

By the way Dino, do you conduct workshops?

Some more shots:

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nice image i particularly liked #1 of the last 3 images that you've posted.... having the opportunity to 2nd shoot a great wedding photographer like pat dy is indeed right there an experience.... most of the time being a second shooter, you'll find that most of your shots are really breath taking....

btw OT lng ako sir, when is pilar's workshop? thanks...

Pocholo-

Wedding are indeed a tough gig as, generally, you only have one shot at getting it right. That's why I respect professionals that can do it well at every events.

Actually, the images you posted are already so much better than the last wedding portfolio I saw online from someone who claims to be a professional wedding photographer.

noob here. So how do professional photographers (after shooting lots and lots of weddings) challenge themselves to make wedding photography not boring? Kasi eventually parang magiging robot ka na. routine na lang. am i making sense? :D

Benjamin, thanks for the added compliments. I don't know when Pilar will have her workshop. Nag paparinig lang ako :) As for shooting with Pat Dy, yes it was great! My main objective was to see how a respected professional wedding photographer would handle the event, and seeing Pat in action was a great learning experience for me. My thanks goes out to Pat and his crew once again for allowing me to shoot beside him.

Sir Nick! an honor to receive compliments from you. Thank you so much. That certainly lifted my spirits.

dear M. Ingco,

this thread crossed to my surfing and im gearing to learn more abt wedding photog.

if there will be a chance, can i join your wedding photo shoots? of course, its for free and for sure i will learn new tricks from you.

please advice.

thanks,


Hi Pocholo,

I cannot say that I am a professional wedding photographer, yet. Though I've taken several weddings already, I still have a lot to learn. Like you, I also started doing it for free, just to get my portfolio going. Like you also, my "for free" doesn't mean I am short charging my fellow wedding photographers. And in fact, I actually worked side by side with a professional wedding photographer.

Judging by your pictures, you have a great potential to be one.

Keep up the good work!

Marco

noob here. So how do professional photographers (after shooting lots and lots of weddings) challenge themselves to make wedding photography not boring? Kasi eventually parang magiging robot ka na. routine na lang. am i making sense? :D

The beauty of wedding photography is that every venue is different and equally challenging, so it never gets boring. No two weddings are the same so there really is not a "standard" routine in shooting. Yes you have the same type of shots here and there but if you really like your job, it never gets boring. :)

And like everyone else you have good shoots and bad shoots, hopefully more good ones than bad.

Just my two cents.

There are so many areas of photography in wedding that you can be busy about. There's glamour, still life, macro, child photography and a lot more! I cant imagine a photographer getting bored shooting all these.

I envy very good wedding photographers. For me, they are the real best photographers cos they can do so much in a single event.

Cheers!

If I may add...

Shooting weddings, it takes NOT only our technical knowledge; it takes NOT only our experience or portfolio.

It's mostly the TEAM for me.

It's the man behind the lights; sweating carrying the equipment around, turning it on / off reviewing the shadows cast, holding the reflector and being a concert roadie.

It's the man/men holding the back-up camera. The guy/s who take the candid shots, staying alert and looking for people tripping, crying, frowning, fighting whatever. He's the one that gives the reality to wedding photography.

It's the main photographer with the capacity to creatively direct, move his crew, point to where the action is and knowing how to delegate even if the good shots will have to be taken by the back-up photographer.

I'm saying these because it's the lights man who make the white balance constant wherever you go. He takes care of the shadows and the highlights (assuming you educated him of lighting already). And it's the back up guy who saved me from a lot of missed shots when I'm exhausted / busy shooting something else or simply being lazy.

So no, my first wedding shoot wasn't free. I know I had to feed my crew, I had to take care of them and they in turn caught my back when I failed myself.

Shooting with a film SLR and a measely S5IS on weddings, it's my crew that my client loves. Our teamwork, our humour to entertain our subjects (we try hard on these things!), our having fun with each other even while on the job (kulitan parati!) that makes us memorable to the couple and other people seeing us work.

Without a great crew, I wouldn't have made OUR portfolio :)

Every wedding is a new challenge and learning.. always my approach. It shouldn't be a routine. My only advice to aspiring or new wed shooters is to enjoy like how a guest would but keep shooting! :-)

When you shoot your sister's wedding, you really have to do it for free. Or is it just me?

When you shoot your sister's wedding, you really have to do it for free. Or is it just me?

you're not even supposed to shoot it. you're supposed to be part of it :)

Did anyone else notice that this thread is almost 2 years old? :D

you're not even supposed to shoot it. you're supposed to be part of it :)

Hmmm. Something to think about. :D

Did anyone else notice that this thread is almost 2 years old? :D

Haha. Who started the new reply?

:) I heard that there are wedding photographers that charge up to Php 300k per wedding coverage? is this true?? WOW, then investing heavily in equipments is no problem with this rate.

How much is the "normal" charge???:)

Very inspiring lei.:) wish our crew be like that.

If I may add...

Shooting weddings, it takes NOT only our technical knowledge; it takes NOT only our experience or portfolio.

It's mostly the TEAM for me.

It's the man behind the lights; sweating carrying the equipment around, turning it on / off reviewing the shadows cast, holding the reflector and being a concert roadie.

It's the man/men holding the back-up camera. The guy/s who take the candid shots, staying alert and looking for people tripping, crying, frowning, fighting whatever. He's the one that gives the reality to wedding photography.

It's the main photographer with the capacity to creatively direct, move his crew, point to where the action is and knowing how to delegate even if the good shots will have to be taken by the back-up photographer.

I'm saying these because it's the lights man who make the white balance constant wherever you go. He takes care of the shadows and the highlights (assuming you educated him of lighting already). And it's the back up guy who saved me from a lot of missed shots when I'm exhausted / busy shooting something else or simply being lazy.

So no, my first wedding shoot wasn't free. I know I had to feed my crew, I had to take care of them and they in turn caught my back when I failed myself.

Shooting with a film SLR and a measely S5IS on weddings, it's my crew that my client loves. Our teamwork, our humour to entertain our subjects (we try hard on these things!), our having fun with each other even while on the job (kulitan parati!) that makes us memorable to the couple and other people seeing us work.

Without a great crew, I wouldn't have made OUR portfolio :)

gud pm, i am just a hobbyist, can you guys please recommend to me some settings for wedding photography? because my son is going to be a ring bearer in the wedding of my friend, i'll be using my 400D 18-55 IS or 50mm 1.8

TIA

Thing is, there are no fixed settings on weddings. Everything depends on the lighting and what the camera needs to get proper exposure / white balance.

Use P mode with flash so you won't get a totally bad shot of your son then. Or AV if the lighting is good enough.

I am a newbie here and I have no plans on becoming a wedding photographer.
A few years from now I may become involved in wedding photography only when someone may take my pictures on my 50th wedding anniversary.
My purpose in posting here is to share this quotation which I chanced upon in the Internet:

If an old man asks a young girl for a date...
That's his business.
If the young girl accepts...
That's her business.
If the old man and the girl decide to marry...
That's their business.
However, if they want great wedding photographs...
THAT'S MY BUSINESS!!! - Anonymous -- sign on studio wall