Wedding photographer's shadow to build up portfolio?

[b-honk]

I am trying to build up experience and a portfolio of both wedding photography and family photography. I did a search here and read some of threads on how to go about a model search, but I'm also wondering if anyone has any advice on how I can go about building a wedding portfolio. I am thinking about putting an ad on craigslist to see if there are any local wedding photogs that would let me shadow them and act as a 2nd photog in exchange for free PA work, but at the same time, I could eventually be competition for them in a tight market so I don't know if this makes sense. Any other ideas? I have zero friends or family that are getting married anytime soon and I can't imagine that anyone would hire someone to do their wedding with no portfolio to show, even for reduced or free rates. I am desperate for practice!

Thanks.

[mbower05]

If you can get hooked up with a local photographer that would be your best bet in my opinion. I am currently working with a local wedding photographer as a second shooter and after a handful of weddings my abilities and confidence have soared! While you would want to be honest with the photographer that you are working towards an ultimate goal of going out on your own, I would think most photographers would realize that!

I would think the biggest issue is finding a photographer that has a similar personality and you can work together with. Also, make sure you both lay out your expectations up front so you don't show up expecting to shoot and the photographer is expecting you to just carry equipment! Nothing worse for a bride/groom to see their wedding photographers fighting on their big day!!

Best of luck!

[b-honk]

Thanks! Would you suggest just cold calling some established photographers?

[Ania Photo]

Hello,

I can tell you that finding a photographer to shadow with will be really hard in any economy(I know this from the experience of working with them). Most photographers are not too crazy about training their competition.

I know you want to get into weddings but my advice would be to focus on building a different portfolio (like children photography if you are interested in that) then you might start finding those people referring you to their friends or them asking if you would be interested in shooting a wedding.

This is how I got into the wedding photography market with no portfolio of weddings. In fact, the first wedding I ever did was my bosses and I had never been to a wedding before that. From their word of mouth grew my business (it only takes one good referral).

I do know that it is scary the idea of photographing a wedding with no portfolio or practice, but in reality it is super hard to do so especially if you don't have friend or family to help out.

I would not suggest craiglist.

I will add that if you can work with another photographer that is great. You can call them up and ask but I suggest setting up a meeting (this also give you a change to ask for advice). Also know that you may not have the second shooter option. You may have to carry the equipment, and that is fine. It gets you the chance to watch and see how someone else does it so that you can figure out how you will do it. Also, you will become more comfortable with the format of weddings.

Oh, one more option are photography studios like Bella Photography that hire a number of photographers to shoot the many weddings they have a year.

I hope this helps, if you have any other questions I can help you out with feel free to ask.

Stefanie

[dilshad]

Originally Posted by b-honk

I am trying to build up experience and a portfolio of both wedding photography and family photography. I did a search here and read some of threads on how to go about a model search, but I'm also wondering if anyone has any advice on how I can go about building a wedding portfolio. I am thinking about putting an ad on craigslist to see if there are any local wedding photogs that would let me shadow them and act as a 2nd photog in exchange for free PA work, but at the same time, I could eventually be competition for them in a tight market so I don't know if this makes sense. Any other ideas? I have zero friends or family that are getting married anytime soon and I can't imagine that anyone would hire someone to do their wedding with no portfolio to show, even for reduced or free rates. I am desperate for practice!

Thanks.

I think that you should have your own portfolio website. Portfolio website is your own identity where you can show your work, expertise and it will help you to get future assignment.

here i want to tell you one more thing that you should have a custom design portfolio website rather than working on a template driven portfolio website solution..