The second most-asked question I receive from photographers is, "How did you start your journey as a wedding photographer?" I photographed three weddings in October of 2006, then shot 38 weddings in 2007...all without formal training or money. When I began, I dared myself to dream and fail. My husband, JD, and I planned that I'd give this whole photography thing a try for one year, and if it didn't work, I'd go back and reclaim my scholarship to law school.
Okay, so that's the story, but most people who ask want to know the how. What was the lynchpin holding my dreams and reality? Well—at the risk of being repetitive—I can attribute my growth and development to three main things...although I'm the first to say I probably did everything wrong, and this advice isn't worth the time it takes to read it...but it's still my story nevertheless...
Practice
I started my 'business' with a Canon 20D and a 24-70mm F/2.8 lens. That's it. I had nothing else, but I took what I had and made it work...much like anyone else starting out. Now, I knew nothing about my camera. Nothing. I read and reread my manual, then set out and practiced. And practiced. Then I scoured the web for answers when I didn't know what an f-stop was.
Practice and honing a craft is the key to growing success. Hands down. There isn't a magic pill to just get better. Trust me, I prayed for it. And it didn't come in a package on my doorstep...it came, rather, in the form of blood, sweat, and tears. Day after day of giving myself practice assignments with my camera, second shooting, and participating in photography forums to help my progress.
If you're not getting better, go and practice.
Slideshows
Because of a strong relationship my clients and I build throughout the wedding-planning process (and, specifically, the engagement session), I'm invited into their lives during its most important part—their wedding. When they see their images blogged and/or their slideshow, they're immediately taken back to their special day, and they're quite appreciative. Their gratitude has taken the form of personal endorsement. My brides and grooms (and their friends and family members) have become a cheer squad of epic proportions, and the only thing they're missing are pom-poms. Most of my clients have been referred to me by a past bride, or by someone who has seen one of my slideshows from a friend of a friend of a friend of the bride.
It's quite amazing, and I'm humbled by the magnitude of it all.
The slideshows I link on my blog, and the +Sites I post on Facebook have been the epicenter of my business growth...unknowingly, they have become a marketing tool...only buttressed by the personal endorsement from my cheer squad. When asked this question by other photographers, I'm proud to tell them I've never taken an advertisement or passed out business cards like they were on fire. My clients are my promoters—human commercials, if you will, armed with their slideshows—and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Personalization
This is the cornerstone of my business—and of my life. When I first started my business, I was one of hundreds of thousands who was trying to do the same. However, everyone else had everything better. A nicer camera, car, studio, sample albums, computer, lenses, lifestyle...nicer everything. And I had my dog, Polo. And a part-time job, an 11-inch MacBook, one 2GB memory card, and a lot of heart. To put it plainly, I couldn't compete playing the established game.
So I changed the game.
Instead of resting on the laurels of things that purportedly made me a professional (camera, studio, lenses, etc), I simply showcased who I was. That's it. Where others showcased their everythingness, I merely wrote about life. My life. What I ate for dinner. The Lakers jersey I bought for Polo. Tropical Island lotion. You know, LIFE ALTERING THINGS.
And yet, strangely, it worked. Being myself on the web—on my website, blog, Facebook, and Twitter—has given people more than enough information to Like me or Dislike me. Both outcomes are fine with me.
I've come to believe when running a niche business, giving prospective clients an opportunity to connect (liking what you like, laughing at your jokes, sharing idiosyncrasies) or repel (they don't like Britney Spears, think you're as humorous as a door knob, think you're just weird) is worth its weight in gold.
So, that's it. That's all I got. When I first started, I couldn't have dreamed that my photography business would morph into what it is today. Yes, there are days when I want to pound my head on the desk {repeatedly}, but the joy of doing what I love far outweighs the life I was destined to lead in the corner office in Downtown Los Angeles. For this, I couldn't be more thankful.
Stay Fabulous,
j*
8 Comments
i just have 2 quick questions that i would like to ask, my first question is what age should i start my buisness i started takinga few good photos at the age of 5 on my sisters canon camera now iam 17 years old should i start or in a few years?? now to my second question is the nikon d3300 any good for wedding photography plz answer me!! thanks
My best advice to you as a young photographer wanting to start into the business aspect of photography is to first see if you can find an established working photographer to assist. You may have a good eye for composition and technical skills for exposure, but working with a pro will not only help you hone those skills, but you’ll be able to see firsthand the business aspect of photography (which is a whole different thing from just showing up and taking pictures). If you can manage to get some jobs for you to do yourself great, just start small and work your way up. It may take doing some jobs for free just to build up a portfolio. Some bigger jobs may pass you due to being 17 (many bigger jobs can require a contract and some people may be timid about entering into a contract with a minor). No matter what you do, always carry your camera and always be shooting. The more you shoot (anything) the better you’ll get at the craft.
As far as the Nikon D3300 for wedding work goes – it’s an entry-level DSLR, but is capable of great image quality and surely can be used to take photos at a wedding. If that’s what you’ve got to work with now great; if you’re looking to buy a new model for that task I’d recommend a model a few tiers up such as the D7100 or D7200. They have broader ISO ranges (better in low light) and also have faster burst rates for capturing the image as they happen.
Very informative, thank you.
I completely agree with you, there are many ways to start photography business. Wedding Fares are very popular. Another method is to form an alliance with an already successful firm that is involved with weddings but not photos. So, you might contact cake makers, local reception venues and so on. Offer to come to an arrangement that you will either pay a fee for recommendations made or to make reciprocal introductions.
This is seriously the article I was looking for. I've been trying to make the jump into wedding photography but am so afraid to take that final leap and put that ad out there because I don't have all the equipment books/mags/blogs say you need. I don't have all the back ups and multitude of batteries, cards, assitants etc... but I want to do it and know I can. The fact that you started with one camera and one lens gives me SO much hope that I think it's worth taking the risk. Thank you so much for sharing your story and inspiring me to start mine.
Holly
Hi Jasmine,
I came across and this post and I wanted to thank you for the encouragement. I am the the stage where you were when trying to start a photography business. Sometimes I feel I started too late..and I am too old..Other days I want to still give it a try and not give up so fast..
I love your suggestions on how to marker a business and how it is very important to show ourselves like we are more than just trying to showcase beautiful images...
One quick question..do you have any recommendations on which program to use for slideshows?
Thanks!
xoxo
Monica M.
how to start an photography business
You are and inspiration! Just got my first wedding scheduled! I so your post and it makes me say YES I can do this! I love photography and I see each session get better and better so thanks for posting this and giving me hope.
What's the first most-asked question you receive from photographers?