Since you are reading this article, it is perhaps safe to assume you have some basic knowledge of digital photography. In that case, you will also appreciate that wedding photography is not just another kind of photography genre. Considering the chaotic Indian wedding scene, you have to be a jack of many trades namely portrait photography, landscape photography, group photography, fashion photography and even close up product photography. Let us be honest; it is a daunting task. But it is worth trying.
Understanding the opportunity
Indian households these days are ready to shell out for fat wedding photography packages, an idea, not paid much attention to even a few years back. For an Indian couple, the day of the wedding is an event of a lifetime. And the Indian household places trust and responsibility on the wedding photographer to capture moments of this special day in the most creative way possible. Best wedding photographers can tell stories of Indian weddings through their photographs. And these stories are assured of going down generations of the families concerned. So it is not a small deal.
Some points to consider
- Get certified
It can be a good idea to get proper certification. There are many good online photography courses to choose from. A certification can strengthen your portfolio and increase your chances of getting hired. You must get your basics right before venturing in this avenue. Also, certificate cuts out a lot of explanation you need to give to the others about your skills.
But mere certification without practical experience will not take you far. So it is also advisable to start somewhere. Even if no one has hired you, you may always volunteer at any acquaintances' wedding. You may ask for feedback on your images. Thus you may have a firsthand trial and error method to gain practical experience and fine tune your abilities.
Wedding photography IS about lighting. Lighting conditions at an Indian wedding are unpredictable. Depending on the ritual or event taking place, lighting conditions in an Indian wedding can vary from blinding daylight to softly lit indoor conditions to glittery LED lighting scenes. Your capability to utilize the available lighting and make it work for you can make or break your chance of capturing that perfect moment.
Think beyond the camera kit lens. It is advisable to invest in some good lens upgrades. It can be a good idea to have a telephoto lens in your kit. This mainly because it will help you take that perfect close up shot of the Mehndi designed hand or the bride's jewelry. Since there is often a certain competition involved around taking pictures in weddings these days, you might not be in proper position or shooting range often. So it can be a good idea to have to have a long range telephoto lens so that you can do your work even from a distance. It's a good idea to have a wide angle lens as well. It will help you weave stories with pictures. Room for creativity and innovation increases manifold with a wide angle lens. Also, you must have the right lens filters in your kit.
Try learning and using a photo editing software to add the final professional touches. There is much user-friendly software available online which you may use efficiently without breaking a sweat.
- Go online
It is essential to market your work as well. The most effective medium is online marketing channels. Try doing some research on some good wedding photography sites. Try to have a feel of the presentation of the work. You will see it's very well laid out and visually appealing. To start with, if you cannot invest in a full-fledged one, there is no need for worry. There are multiple web hosting sites which allow you to maintain a webpage for free or for a small charge. Also, you might consider having a dedicated page on different social media platforms.
In Conclusion
The India wedding photography market is abounding these days with lots of talent. Quality of work in this domain has gone up in leaps and bounds. To start, you will not be able to match up. And it would be unfair to expect too. But of course, some consistent practice and efforts will go a long way. The perks of a wedding photographer are quite good. With some dedication, there is the only opportunity for growth for the aspiring.
