Wedding photography is a viable industry. If there?s one thing brides are not willing to skimp on, it?s their photographs. This day may only occur once but most people want to have beautiful photographs they can cherish for a lifetime.
Photography is a $10 billion industry in the U.S. with an annual growth rate of 2.6% on average, and there are over 230,000 people employed in this industry. Are you curious about whether or not you could be successful as a wedding photographer? Here are a few important things to keep in mind.
How Much Can You Expect to Make?
The average wedding photographer salary is about $30,500. While this might seem low, you need to take account that this includes a wide range of photographers — some are highly experienced and will make upwards of $50,000. Others enjoy the flexibility of the job and schedule around childcare and other life challenges, putting them in the lower earning range. If you want to make more money doing professional photography, the opportunity is definitely there for you to do so.
Invest in Photography Editing Equipment
Being able to edit your photos post-production is an essential element of wedding photography. Whether you?re cropping shots to focus on the bride and groom, or getting rid of the appearance of flyaway hairs, you should figure when you establish your pricing that nearly half the work you do will be in the studio — not at the wedding itself.
Invest in Great Cameras
There are a few things that ensure great wedding photography. Your own skills are one determinant; another is the quality of your equipment. It?s good to have a few solid cameras, as well as cameras and lenses for special effects. Super slow motion cameras, for example, can be used to take unique shots of sparkler send-offs after the reception. Phantom high speed cameras, on the other hand, can be used to take great pictures of faster sequences (like if the bride and groom are running for a shot). These are typically 10000 FPS cameras, capable of capturing any range of movement in a shot.
Whether you’re using high speed cameras or investing in your editing equipment, remember that you’re responsible for capturing a unique moment in someone’s life. In some ways, you can’t put a price on being a part of that experience. Good luck!