10 years in, and I still see people jumping into photography thinking it’s a quick way to make money. I don’t know where this idea comes from, but let’s set the record straight - it doesn’t work that way. Photography is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s not a startup where you can flip an idea and cash out in a few months. If you’re looking for something easy and fast, you’d be better off doing reselling, delivery, or anything else with lower barriers to entry.
Photography is a business, and like any business, it requires financial investment and time to grow, but also PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS. The mistake many new photographers make is jumping straight into marketing without making sure they’re actually ready to shoot weddings.
(If you are a couple wondering why professional wedding photography costs what it does, this article is for you)
Before Doing Weddings, Keep Your Skills in Check
You can have the best marketing strategy in the world (that you think will work), but if your portfolio isn’t solid, clients won’t come back. They’ll be asking for refunds, you’ll risk ruining their wedding, and your reputation will sink before you even start.
Before thinking about getting paying clients (not just for weddings), focus on:
1. Mastering Your Technical Skills
Photography is not a retail business where you just stock up on products and sell. YOU ARE the product. Your skills determine your success.
When you’re just starting out (or only a few months in inconsistently), expect to do a lot of free shoots. You will be covering your gas, car mileage, or food out of pocket - and that’s normal. Take it as a business investment because you need that experience, you need a portfolio, and you need to work on your skills.
Once you feel confident in your work, you can start charging clients. There’s no exact number, but I’d recommend starting at $200 - 300 - just make sure you deliver accordingly. At this price point, the only acceptable mistakes are in composition and posing. There’s no excuse for blurry photos, incorrect ISO, wrong aperture, or bad lighting.
2. Finding Your Vision
What kind of photographer do you want to be? What makes your work different?
If your goal is to make money in photography, you can’t just do everything. And by "everything," I mean you can’t promote your boudoir portfolio right next to romantic weddings. That will confuse your potential clients. You have 4 to 6 seconds to make an impression.
Think of it like the difference between a general doctor and a specialist. If you have a stomach ache, you wouldn’t go to an ophthalmologist. The same logic applies to photography—clients want to hire someone who specializes in what they need.
Finding your style and vision early on will help you attract the right clients and build a brand - instead of being just "another photographer with a camera."
3. Learning to Communicate with Clients
Knowing how to use a camera is half the job. Photography is a service business, which means how you communicate with clients matters just as much as your pictures.
Learn how to make clients feel comfortable
Learn how to give clear directions
Learn how to set expectations properly
The better your communication, the better your experience (and referrals!) will be.
If You're Not 100% Confident in Your Skills - Stay Away from Weddings. And I mean it.
Let me explain. Unlike other photography projects, a wedding day CANNOT be repeated.
A wedding isn’t just another photo session - it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event with high risks. There are unique moments that will never happen again:
The whole family gathered together, maybe for the first time in years.
A wedding thrown specifically for a very old or sick grandparent to witness.
Guests who traveled from across the world who won’t be coming again.
You CANNOT fail. Yes, mistakes happen, but 90% of them can be avoided if you're a professional. Weddings demand preparation, experience, and confidence because there are no second chances.
If you’re still unsure about your aperture, how to pose people, or find yourself struggling with camera settings under pressure, then weddings are not for you - yet. (Emphasizing YET! It’s a matter of one month or three years, depending on your route.)
The Good News? Once You’re There, You Charge Accordingly
Once you reach a professional level, wedding photography pays well. And don’t let anyone tell you that you charge too much. There is no such thing as “too much” in wedding photography.
You’re not just charging for your talent - you’re charging for your professionalism.
A wedding photographer isn’t just someone with a camera.
You are:
✔️ A problem solver
✔️ A timeline manager
✔️ A leader who gets the job done without adding stress
Your pricing reflects:
✔️ Your time
✔️ Your second shooter’s time and quality
✔️ Travel expenses
✔️ Software costs ✔️ Backup equipment (because you MUST have backups for everything)
✔️ High-end gear that ensures top quality
✔️ A seamless experience for your clients, with no headaches
None of this matters if you’re still fumbling with camera settings or spending too much time thinking about the technical side during a wedding. Weddings move fast. You need to know what you’re doing instinctively because there’s no pausing the ceremony while you figure out your white balance.
Are You in Panic? In Doubt? Did I Just Show You How Important Weddings Really Are?
Good. Now, let’s talk about solutions.
1. Get a Portfolio Review (Yes, It’s Free!)
Let’s be real - you might not even know what you don’t know yet. That’s why I offer a free portfolio review. No, I’m not selling you anything on the call.
If you find my advice helpful, you can keep following me for free.
Or, if you want to cut the chase, just ask me directly what else I can do to help.
📍 Sign up for a free portfolio review with me (once again, it is FREE no strings attached).
2. Figure Out Your Next Steps
Whether you decide to improve on your own, work with me, or learn from someone else - it doesn’t matter. The point is, don’t just sit there stuck in doubt. Make a plan and move forward.
3. Be a Second Shooter (DO NOT Skip This Step!)
If you’ve never worked at a wedding before, DO NOT skip this step.
Being a second shooter is the best way to get hands-on experience without the full responsibility. You’ll see:
How weddings actually work
How to manage timelines
How to shoot under pressure
Before risking someone’s once-in-a-lifetime day.
(And if you’re thinking, “Am I good enough to be a second shooter? No one is hiring me” - check out Step 1.)
So, How Much Time Do You Need to Get There?
That depends - how fast do you learn? How much time can you invest? How much money can you invest?
Most importantly, are you treating this as a business or just a hobby?
If it’s just a hobby, my harsh but honest answer: you don’t want to get paid. Because once you start accepting money, you’re stepping into business territory - which comes with responsibilities like taxes, contracts, and insurance.
Photography as a Business: You Need Both Skills & Marketing
Once you’ve mastered your skills, found your vision, and built confidence with real shoots, then it’s time to talk about marketing.
So before worrying about Instagram ads or SEO, make sure your work is worth paying for.
I am here to help - either with free tips (sign up for my emails) or lessons. You can spend years figuring it out, or you can learn from me and KNOW HOW.
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