Back to Career Guides

How to become a Wedding Photographer

Wedding Photographer jobs

247

Wedding Photographer courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Wedding Photographer

The average starting salary for a Wedding Photographer can vary.

The role of a Wedding Photographer

What does a Wedding Photographer do?

Calling all photography enthusiasts who also enjoy going to weddings. We know a job that’ll combine the two…A Wedding Photographer’s job is to capture the happiest moments of a couple’s big day on camera, ensuring the outcome is high quality photos – not to mention memories – that will last a lifetime (actual estimates may vary).For a Wedding Photographer no smile, happy tear or loving gaze goes unnoticed. Unfortunately, the same is also true of your uncle’s drunken dancing…Typical duties for a Wedding Photographer could include:

Meeting with couples to establish their preferred style of photography
Using specialised photography equipment to get the most out of each shot
Choosing the right cameras, lenses, mounts etc. for the situation
Taking high quality photos before, during and after the big day
Organise the venue and decor
Editing and retouching images, and delivering them to the couple for final approval

Is a career as a Wedding Photographer right for me?

To become a Wedding Photographer, an interest in photography and knowledge of photographic equipment is essential. You must be able to work well with different kinds of people, and adapt your creative style to the couple’s needs and requirements.Weddings often take place on a Saturday, so you must also be available to work weekends, especially at peak wedding season (May-September). You’ll also need to be able to control your emotions at all times.Other key skills include:

Creativity
Knowledge of software used to process and edit images, such as Photoshop
Awareness of photographic styles traditionally used in weddings
Confidence and the ability to work in a hectic and fast-paced environment
A good eye for detail
The ability to see ‘the big picture’

What's it like to be a Wedding Photographer?

"As a kid, I was obsessed with my Polaroid camera. I can’t say it was the most high-tech photographic style… But as I got older, I started to gain an interest in the technical side of photography, and experimented with types of cameras, using different lenses and lighting. I’d always be the one my friends would call when someone was looking for a photographer for their social events – so I thought hey, this could be my job. To be honest, it doesn’t really feel like work. I get to go to lots of weddings, see people having a great time, and document the day. You even get complementary glasses of Champagne on the job. Sometimes…"

Get qualified as a Wedding Photographer

There are no set qualifications to be considered for this job, although technical ability and professional training in photography will greatly benefit you getting bookings when you get started.

Recommended Wedding photography courses

Digital Photography: Portrait, Landscape, Fashion, Travel, and Wedding Photography

Skill Up

20-in-1 Premium Bundle | 20 Free PDF & A Hardcopy Certificates | 200 CPD Points | Lifetime Access
- Compare
- Online
- 145 hours · Self-paced
- Certificate(s) included
- 200 CPD points
- Tutor support
Great service

See more See less

***Exclusive Monthly Savings! Career-Oriented 20-in-1 "Digital Photography: Portrait, Landscape, Fashion, Travel, and Wedding Photography " Bundle + Free CPD Accredited Certificates*** Are you ready to capture the world through your lens and take your photography skills to new he …
£107
Wedding Photographer - Job Ready Programme with Full Career Support

Janets

Mid-Year Sale! (was 1999) | Job Market Analysis | Portfolio, CV & Enrolment Letter | Access to 3000+ Courses
- Compare
- 19 students
- Online
- 6 months · Self-paced
- Certificate(s) included
- 200 CPD points
- Tutor support
Great service

See more See less

The demand for skilled Wedding Photographers in the UK is skyrocketing! With the rise in destination weddings and unique celebrations, the industry is projected to see a 25% increase in demand over the next decade, offering an average salary of £35,000 for professionals in t …
£799