Taking up photography professionally can make for a fulfilling experience. However, before becoming a full-time photographer, you should consider an area to focus on. Today, wedding photography is one of the largest branches in the industry. Those who enjoy taking pictures and attending weddings should consider concentrating on wedding photography. Playing such an essential role in these special events for your clients is an honor and a responsibility.
Pros and Cons Of Being A Wedding Photographer
Here are some pros and cons you should be aware of before making your decision.
Pros
There are certain aspects of the job that will make you smile every day. Below are some positives that make the profession unique and provide memorable experiences.
A chance to exercise your creativity
Many clients will look at whether your style stands out before choosing you as their wedding photographer. To stay ahead of the competition and remain relevant, you will have to be creative on the job. This means developing your style so that the pictures you take are distinct and trying out a wide range of angles and techniques. In the end, you should be in a position to document this special day in your clients’ lives in a way that meets their expectations.
An opportunity to meet interesting people
Meeting new and exciting people helps you learn and have a broader perspective of things. With weddings, photographers meet and interact with people that they would not otherwise come across. This helps to expand their horizons and increase the opportunities available to them.
You get to improve your skills
Photography requires that you improve your skills and grow in the profession. More and more people join this industry every day, with each individual bringing their own unique set of skills and creativity. While this can make for a challenging experience, wedding photography presents you with the chance to improve your skills. You achieve this every time you strive to improve your photography skills and adapt to new technologies.
You can choose your clients
If you are self-employed, you will choose your clients after the business has taken off. You will also enjoy the flexibility of selecting the time and place to work. In case you love traveling, you will have an opportunity to travel to different locations when documenting destination weddings.
You will have a lot of control
Being a wedding photographer entails much more than just taking pictures. You will have to work closely with venue authorities to see that you capture all the special moments. Coordinating with other people will also be necessary if you identify the spots that will allow you to take the perfect shots. Another area you will have to be involved in is the background decorations to make sure they do not overpower the focus objects.
Most times you work with happy people
If you are the social type, you will have a lot of fun meeting happy people. People who plan and attend weddings are likely to be in good moods. This means that there is a good chance that they will want to interact with you, compliment your skills, and help improve your spirits too.
Most times you work with happy people
If you are the social type, you will have a lot of fun meeting happy people. People who plan and attend weddings are likely to be in good moods. This means that there is a good chance that they will want to interact with you, compliment your skills, and help improve your spirits too.
There is always demand
If you are the social type, you will have a lot of fun meeting happy people. People who plan and attend weddings are likely to be in good moods. This means that there is a good chance that they will want to interact with you, compliment your skills, and help improve your spirits too.
Cons
If you love photography, taking pictures at the wedding will not feel like work to you. However, like with any other job, there are some daily struggles you will encounter from time to time.
The gear is costly
As a professional wedding photographer, you must have the equipment required to take and produce high-quality images. In case you are just starting, you may consider borrowing or leasing it. Regardless of the option you go for, the gear is costly and requires a considerable amount of money to acquire. However, this is one of the key ways to attract more clients.
Canon lenses are of my favorite when it comes to choosing gears for wedding photography. Clients like good pictures and this is why I use these lenses for portraits, or wedding or any kind of professional photography.
It is a high-pressure job
Although weddings are generally joyful events, a considerable amount of stress and pressure surrounds their planning. Every couple dreams of a perfect wedding, a factor that almost always results in pressure on those responsible for certain tasks. There will be the pressure to make sure things run smoothly, capture the moments that matter, and ensure quality work. This is just part of the huge responsibility that comes with the job.
Long working hours
It is commonly said that time flies when you are having fun. This is the same case with weddings. However, the events can carry on for a long time, with most lasting between 8 and 15 hours. To survive the long hours, you should not only be healthy but also prepare adequately in advance. Keeping fit will play a critical role in ensuring that you capture crucial moments while lugging around the heavy gear.
It is a solitary job
Although many people attend weddings and you may get to meet a number of them, this is a solitary job away. As a photographer, you will be mostly occupied during the occasion, leaving very little time for any casual conversation. Unless you have employed professionals to help handle some of the assignments, this will also limit your networking opportunities. Just like with most freelance jobs, it will be next to impossible to have a lot of fun time with colleagues after work.
The business aspect can be demanding
The photography bit can be fun, especially if you love what you do. However, there is also the business side that will have to handle. Professional photographers may find it challenging to figure out takes and bookkeeping. To ensure that you have the peace of mind you need to do things correctly, you can hire professionals to handle the business aspect, leaving you with the time and mental space to focus on what you are good at.
In case the positives outweigh the downsides for you, then you should, by all means, become a professional, full-time wedding photographer. Be sure to enjoy all the fun moments that come with the job while at it.
