Wedding Photographer

The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in wedding photographer roles:

• Capture action shots of ceremony preparations, wedding ceremonies, and receptions
• Capture posed photographs of the bride, groom, wedding party, and family members
• Edit captured photos using editing programs like Photoshop
• Prepare albums, files, and prints for clients
• Market services, attract clients, negotiate fees, and maintain business records

A Day in the Life

Staying out of the spotlight and capturing moments on film that will last a lifetime—being a wedding photographer may be more difficult than it looks. However, the heavy responsibility of delivering flawless wedding pics to happily married couples and their guests comes with several trade-offs. Not only are wedding photographers relatively well-paid, but they’re able to work in a positive atmosphere where the vast majority of people are genuinely happy to be present.

On the appointed day, the wedding photographer is expected to be one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave. During the course of the ceremonies and reception, the role of the photographer will be to use their talents to create a complete suite of images for those in attendance. Whether it’s photographing the groom in nuptial preparations or the bride while walking down the aisle, these collected pictures will construct a narrative for the event.

After taking photos at the wedding ceremony and surrounding events, wedding photographers prepare the photos for distribution to clients. They choose the best photos from those captured and perform edits in Photoshop or anther photo editing program. They may compile photos on a flash drive for delivery to clients, they may have photos printed for distribution, or they may develop photos themselves in a darkroom using specialized film processing equipment.

Typical Work Schedule

Wedding photographers may work part-time or full-time hours. Most work evenings and weekends as that’s when most weddings are scheduled. Additionally, they may have more work in spring, summer, and fall, and take fewer clients in winter during the off-season when fewer weddings are held.

Typical Employers

Many wedding photographers are self-employed and run their own businesses that offer wedding photography services. Others may be employed by hotels or other venues that host weddings, by wedding or event planning services, or by event photography service businesses.