How to get started as a wedding photographer?

I don't have any prior experience as a wedding photographer. So how would I go about getting in this business? Is this a fairly profitable business to get into though?

How to get started as a wedding photographer?
See these tutorials on wedding photography: http://www.net-art.it/photomonitor/html/...


.
Reply:Are you a pretty good photographer? Know your way around an f/stop and manual flash? Can you drag the shutter?





How about people skills? Performing under pressure? Work ethic? Are you prepared to be away from your family almost every Saturday all spring and summer?





Do you have at least two of every camera thing? Bodies, flashes, cords, fast zooms, brackets, diffusers? A fast computer? Adobe Photoshop?





You don't necessarily need a degree in photography, but having a mentor is a big help. The best way to get started in the business is to assist an established photographer or studio for a season or two, as an assistant or second shooter. This job doesn't pay much.





Unless you are very good and in demand, it doesn't pay all that much after you are out on your own, either. Yes, you might get $3000 for doing a wedding, but you have to consider your time, cost of materials, overhead, and depreciation of equipment. Don't forget insurance and tax.


Then there's the competition from Uncle Bob photographers with their new Digital Rebel. And the weekend warriors who get $400 or $500 and hand the couple a CD.





Of course, some high end wedding photogs buck the trend. Either they have superior skills or marketing (or both) and they command ridiculous prices for extravagant weddings.





It is possible to make a decent living shooting weddings. You will need talent, and a large dose of business skill, and maybe some luck. If you like it, you should certainly give it a try.
Reply:Experience is everything.





This is what I did: Search out an established wedding photographer and ask them if they need an "assistant". Learn on the job from them. Ask questions. Charge about $80.00 per day . . . then go on your own.





Good luck!