Things You'll Need:
- Time for study
- A place to practice photographing people
- A good quality camera
- An eye for detail
- Internet access
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Step 1
If you are interested in a career as a wedding photographer, you will first need to hone your photography skills. There are many ways to do this. The more formal methods involve taking courses in photography at a local university, community college or trade school. There you will learn in great detail the many technical aspects of photography that you will need to learn in order to be competitive as a wedding photographer. A more informal route involves self study, either by means of reading a book, using the Internet, or joining a local photography club. The latter less structured methods may appeal to those who enjoy taking a more trial-and-error approach.
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Step 2
Another necessity is purchasing a good quality camera. There are many kinds of cameras on the market today that are both digital and film. As an aspiring wedding photographer you should look to purchase a quality digital SLR camera. These cameras can be expensive, upwards of $700 (2008) but are greatly worth the investment due to the superior image quality that they produce. The advantage of the SLRs is that the pictures can be viewed instantly. As a beginner this will be an invaluable tool as inevitably many of your pictures may not turn out well the first time around. With a digital camera this can be quickly discovered and the picture retaken. With a film-based camera mistakes may go unnoticed until much later once the film has been developed.
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Step 3
Once you have the necessary photography skills accompanied by a quality camera, you can begin looking for work. At first it might be advisable to shoot smaller events. Family gatherings and small parties are a good place to start. This will hone your skills and give you a chance to practice shooting people and composing your shots without the pressure of being at an actual wedding.
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Step 4
When you are ready to attempt your first wedding, ask your friends or family members if they know of anyone who might need a wedding photographer. Starting small and in familiar territory will make your first job or two much easier and less stressful.
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Step 5
As you continue to shoot events, it is important to start a portfolio. Your portfolio will contain your best shots from a variety of different settings. If you want to specialize in wedding photography, you should attempt to have a portfolio that has the specific purpose of displaying your best wedding pictures.
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Step 6
If you are a good photographer, you can continue in this freelance fashion for quite some time, earning money on the side, or perhaps making a full-fledged living. If you do decide to take the next step and start an official photography business or studio, be sure to check the local business ordinances that exist in your area.
