A wedding photographer is a critical part of anyone’s big day. It is their responsibility to capture a once-in-a-lifetime event, one the bride and groom will usually want to remember for the rest of their lives. It’s a huge responsibility, and there are so many different elements that go into becoming a successful photographer. You can’t just take your iPhone to a wedding and hope to do the day justice, nor can a professional photographer expect to get clients advertising on social media with the odd post. Being a wedding photographer is about so much more than that.

There are some qualities a photographer needs which cannot be bought or indeed taught. Enthusiasm and passion are vital, as are empathy and an understanding of people. They have to be able to connect with their subjects on a real, emotional level and understand the best way to put their personality and taste into the photos. They also have to understand their equipment and how to use it to get the best results, whatever the conditions. Inside or outside, sunshine or rain, a good wedding photographer knows their way around a camera.

However, it isn’t all about what they shoot with. There are some physical things that are also essential, both in terms of capturing a special day and ensuring that people understand the differences between a fly-by-night hoping to cash in and a real, dedicated professional focused on immortalizing their wedding day.

It’s not all about equipment, so if you’re hoping to start out as a wedding photographer, not only do you need to consider what you shoot with, but also some other essential elements, as we explore below.

Equipment

Obviously, having the right equipment is essential. It’s not enough just to have a DSLR camera body and a lens either – a good photographer packs plenty of punch when it comes to their glass. The ‘big two’ manufacturers are Canon and Nikon, with the former being one of the most popular among wedding photographers. One of the most recent models, the Nikon Z6 II mirrorless camera, would be a sure sign that a photographer knows what they’re doing. With a 273-point Hybrid AF system and two EXPEED 6 processing engines, it delivers the perfect balance of speed, image quality and low-light performance. Usually, a second camera is advantageous, something light, like a Nikon 5100D, armed with a different lens for quick switches and candid moments.

That must be paired with the right accessories. Every wedding photographer should have a couple of lenses at least; a 70-200mm f2.8 and a 24-70mm f2.8 would be essential, but something simple like a 50mm prime lens can produce great images as well. Consider then a selection of other extras. This includes a flash, and if packing a Nikon Z6 II, then a Nikon wireless flash would fit well. There’s the tripod to consider, extra batteries and memory cards.

Great Website

All good wedding photographers will have a website. This acts as the base for their social media promotion – for instance, their Instagram page, or Facebook account, will lead possible clients to their website. It’s here that their work can be showcased and that customers can be directed both before and after their shoot for interaction. It needs to look professional, there’s no point hastily throwing a WordPress account together on a standard theme that looks rushed because that will reflect on the quality of their work.

Having a gallery of some of the best work a photographer has done is essential. It underlines their skills and ensures potential clients know exactly what quality they’ll get on their special day. Peace of mind before the event is almost as important as quality images afterwards.

Strong Branding

All wedding photographers should ask themselves who they are. What is it that clients should notice about them that makes them stand out? There are plenty of people with the equipment and nice website, coupled with the skills to take great shots, so why should someone choose one over another?

The answer is to be found in branding. As demonstrated by our recent Hannah Elizabeth Photo branding session, creating an image of the person behind the camera is as important as the images created in front of it. A photographer should use their website to tell their story, not just who they are, but why they take pictures. A wedding photographer becomes a success not just through their ability and equipment but their real human connections with their subjects.

Conclusion

These are three essentials that all clients should look for in a wedding photographer. If these are in place, it is then about choosing the right personality with whom a bride and groom can build rapport.

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