How does one become a wedding photographer

People quite often ask me how I came to be a wedding photographer. I still remember borrowing the family instamatic and taking it on scout camps as a boy.  I remember one christmas back in the late 70s I got a 110 cartridge camera with a stick of 10 single use flash bulbs.
I joined the army at 16 and my first posting was in the far east where cameras were tax free. It was time to move up to my first SLR. Some years later as we settled in Woking Surrey my hobby became a sideline and then a full time career choice.
Back in those days it was quite fashionable to be self trained. I still think self training is valid because it never ends, there is no graduation, there are no laurels to rest on. I was looking on youtube for more training ideas.
I found this video which shows the evolution that most of us can relate to. Enjoy the work of the great French photographer Bruno Mayor as he shows his rise from hobby photographer to one of the top wedding photographers in the world today. Bruno is a very creative person as well as an amazing photographer so accuracy might have been compromised a little for artistic and entertainment value.

How many wedding photographers are there in Surrey?

According to a recent survey it has been estimated that Surrey County has close to 2000 photographers who specialise in weddings. This quite a great number and as a result of this it is quite difficult to find the right person for your wedding. This may actually be one of the difficult steps in the wedding preparation process but it is possible to deal with this obstacle without necessarily going through so much stress. Since there are numerous people providing photography services in the Woking area, then why is it a hassle to find the right guy?
In this case it is not just a matter of choosing a photographer but picking a person who has the passion to bring out the real mood of the ceremony. Wedding planners may not necessary hire the right person for the job but instead just go with someone who they always work with. Getting the right candidate for the job is crucial because if the pictures taken are substandard it is not possible to rewind the ceremony again. The work should be done right the first time and there are some steps that you can take to ensure the vetting process runs smoothly.
see more of my work onlineFirstly you have to ensure that you are dealing with a professional so you need to check out portfolios as well as references. Anyone could operate a camera and claim to be a wedding photographer but by taking a look at a portfolio and speaking to a person, you can tell the difference between a professional and a masquerader.
Once you have made a shortlist of those you think are the best you can look at each of their styles and choose the one that would suit your theme. Taking some time to look for the right Woking wedding photographer may seem like a farce but it is definitely bound to pay off in the long run.
To help you find a Woking wedding photographer, visit the Surrey Weddings directory.
For more wedding tips and advice, as well as a full directory of wedding suppliers in Surrey, visit Surrey Weddings 


I found this interesting article on www.surrey-weddings.com I thought it made some interesting points. One thing that you should be aware of is that it is quite easy to show an impressive portfolio but it is well worth asking to see one wedding from start to finish rather than the highlights of a career. Better still ask for an engagement shoot to get a real feel for your photographer, the cost for this may well be deducted from your wedding photography and gives you some great pictures for your invitations.

Call me for a trial portrait sitting. 01483223823 no charge, I consider it part of the interview process.*
limited time offer.