What are some good (free) resources on the web specifically geared toward wedding photography?  I found the digitalweddingforum.com site, but you have to pay for the "good" content.  I'm not willing to do that just yet.  I've been toying with the idea of shooting weddings, but I'm not committed yet.  I want to learn more about it before I make a decision.

I have a couple of books, but I'm looking for web resources like forums/blogs with continually fresh content.

What are some good (free) resources on the web specifically geared toward wedding photography?  I found the digitalweddingforum.com site, but you have to pay for the "good" content.  I'm not willing to do that just yet.  I've been toying with the idea of shooting weddings, but I'm not committed yet.  I want to learn more about it before I make a decision.

I have a couple of books, but I'm looking for web resources like forums/blogs with continually fresh content.

Yeah, i follow the DWF for a while until it became a paid site  

Weddings are pretty fun, and pretty stressful... I did 9 last year and only a handful this year.

and here

http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=list&FORUM_SECTION_ID=26

Reality check: Making significant income with weddings is a tough grind.

A lot of couples want a highly finished package (albums, DVDs, website, ...), and the only repeat business you can hope for is via word of mouth. Heavy advertising, attending bridal shows, and alliances with boutiques, florists, venues, and musicians/DJs is mandatory. Shooting the ceremony with two photographers is becoming the expected norm. Putting all these together means you have a lot more overhead than the typical non-commercial photographer, which means you have to charge more. Competition from friends/relatives/co-workers of the couple who 'are really good at photography' can play a very significant role in how much you can charge. On top of all that, your working hours happen when your friends and family have their free time, and your social life will suffer because of it.

I can't tell you how many people I've known of (usually women) who have blindly decided to get into wedding photography, only to have a rude awakening. This is strongly parallelled by those disappointed by their venture into family/children/baby photography. Personally, I blame the 'Wow, you're an amazing photographer - that's the best shot ever!' culture of Flickr for this.


Do your homework if you choose to go down this road ... and good luck!

couldn�t have said it better myself sharpley.

I discussed with one other microstocker who has done a number of weddings, and we both agreed, that we didn�t think we had broken even yet after a year or more.

There is WAY more overhead... getting sample albums, getting album supplies and thank you cards to show your wedding couple, an extra camera body and enough top notch lenses, perhaps a fash or two, pocket wizards if you want remote flashes, a car that will get you there and not break down, maybe advertising, updated website.. etc. etc... it is definatly do-able but is a lot of work and expense. 

I much prefer microstock photography and only take weddings now when they fall on my lap, and have raised my prices enough that I think it is worth it (i think anyhow... i have to look at my prices again )

Thanks everyone.  I'm definitely not going into this blindly. I've resisted for quite awhile now.  I certainly don't intend to make this my primary photography income stream.  I think it might be worthwhile giving it a go though along with senior portraits (which I've also resisted doing).  I'd prefer to just go backpacking and shoot nothing but nature, but it just does not sell well.  I need to increase my income from photography to at least cover expenses or the IRS is going to eventually decide this is just a hobby and not a real business.  I suppose I could do more isolated "stuff" on white, but that sure gets boring.

I guess I said something wrong? 

Thanks for the detailed info. mantonino.  I have shot a few weddings albeit they were all family/friends and most importantly shot for FREE.    I have been reading books and researching the subject and from what I've read I see where the business end of things is very important especially for weddings.  My Husband and I do run two side businesses in addition to our full-time jobs.  He has an MBA so thankfully I can rely on him for much of the business detail. We also have an accountant to keep our books and taxes straight.

I'm not some youngster who just got my first camera for Christmas last year and decided I could make money with it.  I'm 45 and I've had a camera in my hands since I was about 12 I think.  Although I could not afford an SLR until I was about 20. So I do have a bit of experience behind the camera.

There are a several things that have made me hesitant about shooting weddings.  First, I understand it's a heavy responsibility.  I wouldn't want to be the reason a bride and groom have no decent images by which to remember their wedding day. Second, I'm a bit leary about having to deal with "bridezillas" and "momzillas."  Third, I know my skills with my strobes are still lacking and so I need more study and practice with them (the Strobist blog has come in handy for this).

If/when I decide I'm actually going to do this, I will arrange to shadow and/or assist a professional wedding photographer several times before I try it on my own.  I understand there's a lot to learn about shooting weddings.  That's why I'm asking questions and researching information before I make the commitment.  Again though, I would not (could not) make shooting weddings a full-time gig.  I have a full-time IT career which I will have until I retire (hopefully within the next 10 years).  I'm working on building various streams of photography related income now so that by the time I retire, the streams are flowing well. 

Anyway thanks everyone for the information.  I'll continue to research before I make any decisions.  Hopefully this explanation will appease those who might have been "rolling their eyes" over my questions/comments.

TGIF!!! Enjoy the weekend!   

Thanks, pixart.  I appreciate the link.  I'll take a look over the weekend.

Sharply - I am sure you are trying to be helpful but you must realize not every female here is a "flickr mom" ...

I'm sorry you were offended, digiology, but I think you're reading more than I wrote. I didn't say anything about 'Flickr Moms' (a term new to me) or about women who are new to photography. My comment was that I've known of a lot of people who, because of their Flickr experience, mistakenly think that business will almost effortlessly flow their way. Of these people, women typically orient themselves towards wedding and family/children/baby photography. For what it's worth, men usually go for fashion/model stuff.

As far as weddings go...I have done a few and will not touch them with a 20-foot pole. I have never been a girly-girl and I find it hard to pretend I care about something I feel is such a colossal waste of time/money IMO. ( but thats just me)

Sorry Nativelight... I cannot help you very much but there is a thread here that I remember having some useful information. A member named "grizzlybear" took the time to write a wonderful and informative post. Best of luck to you!!

http://www.microstockgroup.com/index.php?topic=2068.0

Thanks, digiology!  I have that same concern because I too have never been a "girly-girl" and I also think weddings are a colossal waste of money.  But I guess if they want to waste the money, I'll be happy to take some of it.    Again though, I'm still undecided and just in the research phase.

By the way, I don't have an account on Flickr - never have, never will. 

Thanks, mantonino.  I appreciate the continued advice.  I know full well about the "woohoo, that's a great image" sites.  I have an account on betterphoto.com which I've let go stale over the past year.  Some of the forums there are exactly like that.  There are some long-time participants there that could post a huge pile of steaming dog s*** and they would be praised for everything from great composition to great lighting and great concept.  It goes beyond the ridiculous.   

If you are truly serious about Wedding Photography then the information you receive on DWF for your annual fee will more than pay for itself.  I've been a member for around 5 years and I've found it to be an unending resource of great information from most of the industries leaders.  I'm not nearly as active there as I used to be as I belong to another wedding photographer forum that is more like DWF used to be with high end shooters but fewer people in general.  Because the DWF is so massive now it's a bit impersonal.  The discounts I receive because I'm a member have paid for my membership every year.  Especially the Prodpi discount.  One weddings print discount covers my cost

As for the free ones, you get what you pay for.  I would not recommend you jump into wedding photography head first.  It's one thing to shoot your friends and family for free.  It's another thing entirely to ask for thousands of dollars for your work.  The expectations are a bit higher and not being good with your strobes is not an acceptable explanation for why moments get missed. 

My best advice would be to find a reputable pro in your area and ask/beg/bribe him or her to let you carry their lights around for some weddings free of charge.  Maybe even 2nd shoot.  There is a heck of a lot more than taking pictures involved with wedding photography.

Mat Hayward
www.mathaywardphoto.com
www.mhwildlife.com
www.haywardphoto.blogspot.com

Thanks for the excellent advice, Mat!  I definitely do not intend to jump in head first.  The last thing I want to do is to ruin a couple's wedding day memories by screwing up their photos.  I would really feel very, very bad about that.  I'm being very cautious with this venture and taking it very slowly.  I do intend to shadow another photographer a few times before shooting a wedding on my own.  Even then I will shoot my first few at a deep discount.  I will be entirely up front to those first few about my experience.  There are plenty of people that will be happy to take the risk because they otherwise could not afford a "real" photographer.   

I was dubious at first about shooting weddings.  However, as I delve into the subject more, I'm finding myself more and more interested.  I love the more "non-traditional" type images I'm seeing in the various books I've bought and the websites I've seen.  I know it's business and not all fun and games, but I really think I might enjoy it.