How To Become A Wedding Photographer by Fstoppers 

I've been a pro photographer for almost ten years and I learned something from this video. Specifically the low flash in the back with the key flash balanced to super orange.

Yes, video is helpful:) Helping the self understand photography and how it works is something that the self need in order to be happy with every click.

well you def need 2 cameras, 2 lenses, and possibly 2 flashes...just incase something breaks. What do you do if your only camera jams or breaks?

Of course you don't NEED so much gear. A point and shoot takes pictures. But if you're paying someone to do a professional job, you probably want them to have decent, pro stuff.

Spookychris01 Opinion noted, but I am rather surprised that you hold to it. Why would you be against someone having good gear and being prepared for different light situations? Don't you think it's a good idea to be open to better lighting techniques and equipment? I take journalistic-candid style photos as well, and having good gear doesn't diminish that. Having the equipment ready doesn't mean you always use them. Being prepared is just good business. I don't use half the stuff these guys do, but I'm open to learning and using new things to improve my shots, one technique at a time. It isn't just about good timing - good lighting can be also be the difference between catching that one important moment or missing it. One camera and one lens would 'suffice', like you said. But this video is about going beyond what 'suffices', and pleasing customers who are paying us to do a good job - no matter what happens. That includes being prepared for terrible lighting situations, for when your lens or camera breaks, and for shots that need a wide angle instead of a 70-200. If the couple wants their photos to 'suffice', sure - I get that, and they can get what they pay for. But many couples want their photographer to be reliable, prepared, and to have equipment worthy of how much they are paying them.

Fstoppers Fans you dont NEED it. However, it is a good idea. I too rock with one camera and one lens, and a spare body. Spookychris01 Its simply stylistic choices. Some photographers like doing composite imaging, as well as strobe lighting. I personally am a natural light shooter who utilizes color and bokeh. Although here and there flash at weddings can look interesting on some shots, however it does get old sometimes.

Spookychris01 Natural light all the way. I would rather use a lamp and a reflector if I needed to rather than standard flash, or even time it with a sunset silhouette. Not as personal, but can give a wow factor. I'm only an amateur assistant photographer, though, I really don't know much.

+Emmanuel Quarshie If you're looking for more videos on photography check out my video blog series!

Tell me exactly where did you find ANY useful and interesting information in this boring to death 21 minute long video?

***** How do you get started as a second shooter? Assist first or jump in?

Hi, For the first wedding I was hired to photograph, I just showed the engaged couple photos that I had taken in the past of everything from concerts and street photography to close-ups of flowers and waterfalls. I just showed them all of what I could do as a photographer and was honest about the fact that I'd never shot a wedding but I knew that I could. Oh, and I didn't charge an insane amount of money like these guys in the video do ;)

+Michelle C-Ortiz If you're looking for more videos on photography check out my video blog series!

Then you should probably second shoot for someone until you can afford to have a team.

Dan Asghar great answer. Instead of solving a problem and come up with a video of being a lone shooter you came up with a very brilliant, intelligent and genius answer

+Hernani in my experience if you can't afford a team you are either 1. Don't have the skillset to be a wedding photographer yet. 2. Just starting out 3. You just bought a camera and want to make money from it and maybe want to quickly get around years of struggling to make it big. 4. All of the reasons above. Now if just one of those is true then you shouldn't be advertising yourself to anyone who wants to give confidence and money to you to capture the most important day of their life. You don't have be experience yet and are gambling with someone else's big day. So. Second shoot. Build experience and maybe a portfolio of wedding photographer. Get a job to supplement income during the week (weddings are usually on weekends). After a year or two your abilities will improve you photos will be better you will have networked and saved some cash from working your regular job hopefully and then you can afford to hire an assistant for $100 a wedding.

+Dan Asghar that is true. But they should have put a label on this video that they are selling that it is not meant for a lone photographer.

+Hernani I hate to tell you this man...there is no such thing as a lone shooter at a wedding. It's a given, that you should have assistants and sometimes (most) a second shooter. Unless this is your first day learning about wedding photography. If you are lone shooting a wedding you are not a wedding photographer yet. It's like someone complaining about this video and then saying "whoa whoa whoa I have to buy gear???? You didn't tell me that!" Google videos for lone shooters (no assistant and no second shooter) and I'm pretty sure you will struggle finding anything helpful. They won't make a video for lone shooting because it should not be done and is detrimental to the industry and frankly no need for one because it's unrealistic. There will be success stories here and there of someone pulling one off, but not too many successfully doing it consistently. It's not fair to your bride and groom, you simply can't capture everything without a team.