Wedding photography is one of the largest branches in the photography industry and quite possibly the one in the highest demand. That's just one of the many reasons why so many people, from engineers to amateur photographers, take it up professionally. It is also an industry branch that gear manufacturers rely on...a lot.
We like to have a balanced view on things, so that's why we're going to take you through the pros and cons of being a full time wedding photographer.
(Success Tip:Spring 2015 #1 Must have item in camera bag)
Pros
Demand
There will always be a high demand for wedding photography. No matter what the times will look like, people are still going to get married and they will need a photographer to document it. This is one of the reasons why this is a genre that has evolved very quickly and is continuously changing.
Profitability
Wedding photography is profitable and it is a business that addresses clients with very different budgets. There is a market for rookies and there is a market for high end photographers who can buy a new car with every wedding they shoot. Most agree that it's a profitable business, as well as a fast growing one as long as the marketing is done right.
Fun
Being a wedding photographer is fun. It's a job that focuses on happy moments and spending your day with happy people. It's not boring nor are you likely to get depressed as a wedding photographer (there are exceptional weddings of course).
Overall, the day ends with a party, and even if you're working and not dancing, the good vibes are still there.
It's challenging
Wedding photography is a blend of many genres, including portraits, landscapes, fashion and reportage. That's what makes it interesting and it's not suitable for anyone who isn't open minded. You have to be willing to improve in areas where you aren't that good, but in the end the awesome photos and the satisfied customers are worth it.
It has meaning
Wedding photography is very meaningful. It might not be that important to the photographer, but it will undoubtedly be to his clients. A wedding is a once in a lifetime event and looking at the photos, many years after, is a valuable experience. In this sense, the work of a wedding photographer really touches people.
Cons
The Working Hours
It's not a 9 to 5 job. Weddings often end in the early hours of the next day. It can be very tiring and hard to get used to. Depending on how things go, it can be a relaxed, easy to photograph wedding, or it can give you hell with very little time to catch your breath.
Annoying people
Bridezillas, Uncle Bobs and angry moms are all very common stereotypes. Working with people can be one of the most rewarding things in the world, but it can also make you wish you were folding clothes all day and not talking to anyone. It takes a lot of patience to deal with complicated personalities, but if you want to run a successful business, it is a must!
Competition
Since wedding photography is so popular, competition is fierce. Better said, it's very annoying. Almost everywhere you look, online or offline, there is a new wedding photographer trying to sign some contracts or brag about his latest pictures. It's one of the nasty prices to pay for all the good parts.
It's something to settle for
This is actually very sad, but many photographers are shooting weddings because they can't make a living shooting something else. The industry is full of landscape, fine art and sports photographers who have found it impossible to make a living shooting only what they want. Nevertheless, not all these compromises are unsuccessful, and some are actually optimistic stories.
It's hard to be original
Actually, it's almost impossible to do something truly different in wedding photography. I guess it's obvious since there are so many professionals in this field. Everywhere you look you can see someone stealing someone else's style. But the clients are still happy, and that's what counts at the end of the day. Right?