Becoming a wedding photographer usually happens one of two ways, either you are a photography student and you are looking for some extra cash or you might be an advanced novice and someone gives you an offer that you cannot refuse.  However you are about to enter into the world of wedding photography and now you are looking for more information on the subject. If you do not have the skills and sound knowledge on wedding photography you will totally ruin some poor couple’s wedding day. You have to answer the following four questions before you shoot your maiden wedding day.

Are you well aware what you are doing technically?

Your ability to make an occasional good picture does not count here. The question is whether you can produce outstanding images on demand. Do you know how to get what you want in focus and a good exposure almost every shot? Are you well versed with your camera and your flash? Have you got an eye developed enough to make beautiful compositions?  If you give a negative answer to any of these questions, then you should practice a little more before you capture your first wedding photo.

Have you a backup plan for equipment failure?

Just imagine what will happen if your camera or flashes take up a non-cooperation policy suddenly during a wedding. Have you entered the wedding premises with a back up plan? You will not get sufficient time to borrow a camera or a flash. You are advised to come up with a back up plan in place before you make your first appearance as a wedding photographer.

Are you mentally prepared for what you want to achieve?

You are expected to produce certain images for the bride though both of you might not have talked about it before. It is up to you to find out those expectations hidden in her subconscious mind thereby making her happy. If you fail to accomplish her expectations she will become disappointed and for your information disappointed brides very rarely make referrals. In such a situation even if you create great shots it will not benefit you in your career.

To avoid such a crisis, prepare a written list of shots so that you can shoot them when they occur.  Talk to the bride before the wedding and get from her anything special she wants you to shoot. Have an image for each of these written shots in your mind and list these shots in the order they present themselves on the wedding day. Weddings will not present an opportunity to redo something you miss or screw up. You cannot ask the bride, the groom and wedding party to go back to the church to take a shot you missed. You should get it right the first time

Are you confident you can perform wedding photography under pressure?

Many photographers admit that they can perform wedding photography only under pressure because in a wedding there is all the personalities involved and the inner relationships between mothers and daughters, ex-husbands and in-laws and actually you have to walk through a field filled with all sorts of emotions. The photographers refuse to accept weddings not because they do not want the extra money or do not think it is profitable, but the pressure is so much that they cannot just handle it.