How I started out

Several weeks back I recieved two requests to write a blog post on how I got started. Although, it’s weeks later, I’ve had it on my mind to do it so here goes :) -

I didn’t always want to be a wedding photographer. It sorta fell in my lap. I’ve always loved taking pictures of people and of things  but I never in my wildest imagination even considered weddings.  I grew up with photography. My dad had a lot of expensive Nikon film SLR equipment and he was always taking pictures of us. There is a picture of me for every stage of my childhood – I have albums and albums of photos (i think that is one of the best gifts i have from my dad!). It wasn’t until I went to a friend’s wedding in Jamaica, with my little Nikon D40 (that I’d bought since I was a photo enthusiast) that I realized that perhaps weddings were something I could do and love if I learnt how to do it properly. I took a few pictures of my friend getting her hair and make up done before her photographer arrived and a few more at her wedding (from a guests perspective) and I totally loved it!

 Then I stumbled on to shutterchance.com and an amazing community of photographers, made a bunch of friends, learnt a bunch of new things and decided to pursue wedding photography more seriously. I’m pretty much self taught and I continue to learn new things and how to improve myself everyday. I’ve attended two non technical workshops over the last 2 years and I found them invaluable from a networking perspective. I think one thing every photographer should do is network with other photographers and other people in the industry -  I’ve made so many more new  friends and it’s just great to have a support system of people to answer questions, learn with and learn from and just generally talk business with. I’ve also become good friends with several of my brides who were already pursuing businesses in the wedding industry or have just opened their own new and exciting wedding industry ventures.

Unfortunately I never got the chance to assist or second shoot for any of the experienced photographers in my area, which I think would have been very helpful starting out. It wasn’t that I didn’t want too but everyone I contacted in my area was either not interested or not responsive. Despite that I didn’t let it get me down, and I went at it alone and talked with my new photographer friends and now I’m totally over it - LOL.

When I talk to new photographers I sometimes hear complaints about not having better equipment or not being able to afford the best lens but I personally feel that you don’t need to have the fanciest equipment in the world to capture great images, you just need to enjoy taking pictures, motivate yourself and develop a good eye. My advise  would be to  build on your equipment as you develop your skills and expand your client base if the funds are not readily available for you to take the plunge in one go :)

So there’s a summary of my story in a nutshell. And since it would be boring if I didn’t leave you with any photos, here are a few images from the very first wedding I ever photographed (that I’d posted on my very first blog). These photos are from my D40 and 18-55mm kit lens both of which I sold several months ago (I bought my little flash the same day of this wedding!) – I went to this wedding with a prayer and a wish for lots of goodluck. Jen and Anthony were the most amazing couple ever as they trusted little me with no experience whatsoever – talk about risk takers :) – They did have lots of friends taking pictures as well though so I guess they did have a backup plan!

I’ll be back with a new engagement session and a bunch of new weddings soon!