If you're looking to get into wedding photography, you might be wondering how to start without an established portfolio. This is a common challenge when you’re trying to break into the industry, especially if you haven't shot a wedding before. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to build a strong portfolio that can help you attract clients and grow your business.
Coming to you from John Branch IV Photography, this insightful video breaks down four key strategies for creating a wedding photography portfolio. The first method mentioned is participating in styled shoots. Styled shoots are essentially fake weddings where various vendors collaborate to showcase their best work. This setup allows you to curate your images to reflect the types of weddings you want to book. If you're in an area where barn weddings are the norm, for example, but you'd prefer shooting at other venues, styled shoots give you the control to feature the settings you want to attract more of.
Styled shoots not only provide you with creative control but also connect you with other vendors. When you share the images, you're offering value to everyone involved, which can lead to future referrals. But there are downsides to consider. Photos from styled shoots often look too perfect, making it obvious they aren't from real weddings. It's crucial to only use images that feel authentic so that potential clients can imagine their own day through your lens.
In the video, Branch also emphasizes the importance of starting small with intimate weddings. These smaller-scale events are perfect for those new to the industry because the stakes aren’t as high. Instead of jumping into a full-day wedding, you can ease into the experience by covering just a few hours, allowing you to focus on key moments without being overwhelmed. This also gives you more time to work with the couple, capture genuine moments, and build a strong foundation for your portfolio.
Small weddings are ideal for capturing candid, emotional shots that show real human connection. While they may lack some of the grandeur of larger weddings, they provide opportunities to hone your skills in capturing natural interactions. The downside is that they often don’t include all the typical elements of a wedding day, such as large wedding parties or elaborate receptions. This means you might not get the full range of portfolio-worthy images from just one event.
Second shooting is another common route photographers take to build their portfolio. However, Branch points out that it has its limitations. As a second shooter, you’re primarily there to assist the main photographer, which means you may not have as much freedom to take the types of photos you need for your portfolio. Additionally, not all main photographers allow second shooters to use the images for their own portfolios, so it’s essential to clarify this upfront. That's just the start, though, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Branch.
If you would like to continue to learn about wedding photography, be sure to check out "How To Become A Professional Commercial Wedding Photographer With Lee Morris and Patrick Hall!"
