Would love to learn weddings or portraits for an extra income

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by inkista

Just to test your resolve, you might wanna watch a coupla episodes of Bridezillas and see if you're still eager to go.

++1 Inkista..haha

[november]

Originally Posted by inkista

Just to test your resolve, you might wanna watch a coupla episodes of Bridezillas and see if you're still eager to go.

! I see myself not getting married but.... I LOVE to watch others, hehe. And this show is hilarious!
Yes you gotta have a sense of humour too!

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by november

Not so rosy picture? It is! Oh that actually sounds even more exciting! I agree, landscape or product photography has no pressure. Did not even realize that. Honestly, i am at my best working under pressure, organizing and I have great customer skills (as they say...) Sounds like the right package to start with. The local photography school offers many courses starting in January. I might register for a Portrait or Wedding Photography Course, although with everyone's advice and experience here it leads me more into the direction of the wedding business.

It's never as rosy as you think it will be. That's not to say it isn't rewarding.

Ultimately, the bottom line is that if you're going to make a real go of this, you can't expect to have it happen over night, tough I'm sure you know that. To be a successful wedding photographer, well, it's an elite profession for a reason...

...I don't mean elite as in 'the best', but that its a real challenge in so many ways to do it well and do it right. You'll find many experienced photographers here, and you'll also notice that a great many of them refuse to do weddings. There's a reason for that.

So...these courses you're talking about. Assuming that there's a dozen other people doing them. How are you going to differentiate your service from those other dozen people when the class is done? That's not to mention the dozens of other people who want to do this but decided not to do the course...

Portrait photographer on the side? Maybe. Weddings? Not so much. They're a huge investment on your part for gear, processing, time and logistics and administration.

You've already had the best advice, which is to find a wedding photographer who is willing to let you be their second while you learn the ropes. In the meantime, ask questions and research...

..of course all of this is valid as long as you expect to be a good wedding photographer.

[november]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

It's never as rosy as you think it will be. That's not to say it isn't rewarding.

Ultimately, the bottom line is that if you're going to make a real go of this, you can't expect to have it happen over night, tough I'm sure you know that. To be a successful wedding photographer, well, it's an elite profession for a reason...

...I don't mean elite as in 'the best', but that its a real challenge in so many ways to do it well and do it right. You'll find many experienced photographers here, and you'll also notice that a great many of them refuse to do weddings. There's a reason for that.

So...these courses you're talking about. Assuming that there's a dozen other people doing them. How are you going to differentiate your service from those other dozen people when the class is done? That's not to mention the dozens of other people who want to do this but decided not to do the course...

Portrait photographer on the side? Maybe. Weddings? Not so much. They're a huge investment on your part for gear, processing, time and logistics and administration.

You've already had the best advice, which is to find a wedding photographer who is willing to let you be their second while you learn the ropes. In the meantime, ask questions and research...

..of course all of this is valid as long as you expect to be a good wedding photographer.

I am aware there is no such thing as a 'rosy' job . It all has his pros and cons, even though we all love to do photography as a hobby. No it is not going to happen overnight, I just started to think which way I want to go if I want to make a bit money with my hobby. So far I don't make money but feel very pleased and 'rewarded' when people compliment about my photos. I have run my own businesses before, and don't think it will be any different than running a wedding photography business. So far, I love to hear from everyone here (which is great!) and read as much as I can before I really plunge into this! Maybe I will love it, maybe I don't. So far I think I like to start first with a course and see where this takes me. What makes me think I would be different, more outstanding than all the others? I dont know yet. Same as why would people get insurance from me and not from the agency across their street? Marketing the business is one of the success parts I believe, well of course you have to offer a good quality product as well. And that is why I try to read and learn now as much as I can. Everyone here has been so great with good advice. Thanks so much!

[candleman]

Weddings: get insurance, and a lawyer to go over your contracts.
I heard of a Professional Wedding photographer this week who just lost a case over a $2000 wedding.
she was 4 days late in delivery, and delivered 400 images MORE than agreed, so they sued her.
It doesn't matter that her son had a heart attack... they screwed her over anyway.
She obviously lost the case and the couple got a free wedding and album... plus some.

Just because they sign a page doesn't mean you're ging to win in court.. so be prepared for ugly stuff and awkward conversations.

The up side?
Saturday I delivered some wedding images, I got served black tea and strawberries for two hours, and was then invited to a BBQ by the couple... so in two weeks my family and I are heading back for a meal with them. That’s quite humbling when you realise you’re in the people business, not the photography business.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by inkista

Just to test your resolve, you might wanna watch a coupla episodes of Bridezillas and see if you're still eager to go.

LOL i have seen a few of theses brides up close and personal. Like the other I would recommend shadowing a photographer. offer to shoot as a second shooter in a wedding for free just as long as you can keep your images for your portfolio.

Weddings are very stressful and very hard technically because of the changing light and angles.... Start doing portraits learn you camera, flash and so on then move up. I would not do your first wedding as the main photographer....

[november]

Originally Posted by bhursey

LOL i have seen a few of theses brides up close and personal. Like the other I would recommend shadowing a photographer. offer to shoot as a second shooter in a wedding for free just as long as you can keep your images for your portfolio.

Weddings are very stressful and very hard technically because of the changing light and angles.... Start doing portraits learn you camera, flash and so on then move up. I would not do your first wedding as the main photographer....

No I would never jump in a wedding as photographer with no experience!
If I want to go into wedding photography I will do a 10-week course that starts in January and then try to get experience as a backup photographer. I still consider portraits as well.