when i started out with photography a year ago or so, and i wanted to get into weddings, yet had no experience with either yet, i did a few things to get there;
1.) first of all, i built my basic knowledge of photography up enough to the point i felt competent to operate and use my camera in manual settings as well as understanding the basics of
raw and post processing, this took around 4-5 months for me where in that time i did a short course at tafe also.
2.) i then read on forums and in photo magazines as much information i could about wedding photography in particular. This learning process for any sort of photography is on-going and you never
stop!
3.) i then went onto gumtree and posted in-short that i was inexperienced yet i was looking for work shooting a small function like a party, and that i would shoot it for free and provide the photos on disk, and if the client was happy, i would appreciate a tip of some sort if they chose to, yet was not essential. I got messaged by a couple and i shot their party at a park...from memory i got around 300 photos (i considered that a lot back then...but it isn't!) over the space of around 6-7 hours and they were thankfully very happy with the photos. I made about $350 from it. I did quite a few of these type of functions and the more i did, the more portfolio photos i had to use to warrant that i had experience, and more importantly, give the client confidence in my ability.
4.) i did my first wedding by myself which was medium sized (around 200 people), and that was a long, hard day. I do not recommend doing it solo, it was actually a very stupid thing to do. It threw me right into the deep end and i got the classic wedding problems (one in particular on the day was, the previous wedding was delayed, so therefore the ceremony was delayed for the couple i was shooting, so the original plan of going to the harbour bridge in sydney went down the drain despite me going to the location a day or so prior to check the best place to shoot around there in the quickest time so we could get back to the reception for the limo drivers...so they had no idea where else to go, and i had to check my phone to find a park nearby instead and so we shot there). I am thankful it worked out for the photos, but i was shattered mentally and physically by the end of it and had no idea the amount of work i would do. 15 hours without a break, then post processing that would follow. Like above, it was a difficult conversation trying to explain to people i needed the attention of the bride and groom at first and then they were free to photograph them. Women in particular are very territorial and notorious for this and generally disregarded my wishes, which then i had to explain to them the consequences of photos that were not optimal and that if they personally wished that upon the couple for someone they had paid, to which they quickly backed off. I suggest you first do small functions and parties, build up the portfolio that way...
5.) i then had wedding photos which i approached a 'pro' photographer with as a portfolio. He loved them and definitely saw me coming...he smooth talked me and i agreed to work as an 'internship' style and if all worked out well then i would get regular paid work with my own client flow. I shot a full day (16 hours) with two others, gathering 3500 images in total between the three of us, and then at the end, he asked for my
memory cards, put them in his laptop, formatted my cards, thanked me, and then i emailed him asking how the images were the next day, i never heard from him, so i called directly and he said they were fantastic and that the couple loved my shots as a secondary shooter with all the candids and product shots i did of the rings and flowers etc and even being creative and photographing the other photographers shooting the bride in her home and so on...i never heard from him again. I was ripped off. I would name and shame the website but i am unsure if i can do that on here so i will refrain unless given the green
light. That guy made $15,000 that wedding at my expense and my own gear used. So...be wary about who 'pro's' are also when looking!
6.) i have since done other weddings in my spare time for decent pay and although they are crazy, it is enjoyable.
If you want to second shoot;
1.) go as a guest. Be just like anyone else.
2.) pretend though in your mind you are a second shooter.
3.) you need to be aware though of the actual second shooter and pro at all times. Never get in their way, always wait until they are done with whatever they do. Shoot them shooting the bride, groom and so on from time to time...show it to the photographers when they have a spare moment. Ask them if they would like the photos, get their card to email the photos to them. Just do it for free.
4.) shoot details they miss. Did they shoot the flower arrangement? No? Then go for it. If at the bride's house and you can get the chance to shoot the rings without interfering and with the brides permission, do it!
5.) shoot candids. Do lots of these! Ditch the flash and hone on your low
light skills! People love them. People clinking glasses, generally chatter and expressions in faces, etc! The bride and groom love seeing their grumpy grandpas who never smile when asked caught in a candid photo laughing and smile while holding their grand-daughters in a dance.
6.) as a wedding present, make them a small wedding album of 200 photos in 5x4 print. It won't cost you more than $50 for the prints and a fair album. Get cards made up and include one in the album promoting yourself as a photographer. Word of mouth is the best advertising!
I hope this helps. Good luck.