Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Become a successful wedding photographer
Start a wedding photography business and build a brand
Price and create photography packages that sell
Create a wedding photography website and portfolio
Get your first client
Shoot amazing wedding photos from pre-ceremony getting ready to the last dance
Know how to pose and interact with couples and big groups

Make money as a wedding photographer
Edit photos in lightroom and photoshop to make them look better
Shoot engagement photos
Build the perfect equipment kit with cameras, lenses, lights, and extras
Grow your business and be a happy photographer
Show more
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Become a successful wedding photographer
Start a wedding photography business and build a brand
Price and create photography packages that sell
Create a wedding photography website and portfolio
Get your first client
Shoot amazing wedding photos from pre-ceremony getting ready to the last dance
Know how to pose and interact with couples and big groups
Make money as a wedding photographer
Edit photos in lightroom and photoshop to make them look better
Shoot engagement photos
Build the perfect equipment kit with cameras, lenses, lights, and extras
Grow your business and be a happy photographer
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Introduction to Wedding Photography

Welcome to the Wedding Photography Course

Join the Official Student Photography Group | Wedding Photography Course

An illustrated guide with over 100 poses for photographing couples, women, men, children, and groups.

Welcome to this course! In this video, we cover what this course is all about and how we'll be teaching it. Thank you so much for enrolling!

There are many reasons to become a wedding photographer. Some of ours include:

taking beautiful pictures of people & emotions
having a flexible business where you're the boss
making A LOT of money per weekend (we're talking up to $15,000 if you are really good at it)
and much more!

Let's get to know Will Carnahan a bit more! Where did he go to school? Why did he start shooting weddings? Lots more inside!

Here are Will's top five tips for getting better wedding photos. Throughout this course you will get hundreds of other tips - but these are ones that Will thinks are most important!

In this video, Will does a live photo session with a couple (Phil and Isabel) to show us how he interacts with clients and poses them. During the video, we'll cut away to the photos themselves to see how they look. This is a great way to get started with posing a couple for a wedding or engagement shoot.

Here's a quick start guide to help you shoot engagement and wedding shoots with two people. Download the guide to help you when you're starting out.

Taking an online course isn't easy. It takes a lot of effort to stay committed. And you are about to embark on an epic journey starting your own business - so it will be even harder. But you can do it! And here is how!

In each section intro, Phil goes over what Will is going to be teaching in this section. This section is about setting up your photography business - the first steps.

There are three main types of wedding photographers - journalistic, fashion, and traditional. Within each type are sub-styles and combinations. Will goes over why it is important to choose a style early on.

To start a wedding photography business, you'll need certain equipment like a camera, memory cards, flashes, and other basic gear to get started. Here Will covers the basic kit you'll need to start out.

Canon vs. Nikon, Fuji vs. Sony - these are age-old questions that Will tackles in this video. Which brand is best for you? Find out inside!

In this video, Will suggests a few great websites for buying new and used camera gear.

Picking a name for your business is very important, and there are a few ways to do it. In this video lesson, Will gives some advice on how to pick a name.

When starting any business nowadays, having a great website is key to success. While it would take an entire course or two to learn the ins and outs of web construction and design, we want to give you the basics that make a great wedding photography website.

If you want to dive further into web design, hosting, themes, and everything else you need to get started, take our free Building a Website with Wordpress and Bluehost course.

It's time to take action! Our first challenge is a big one. We want you to pick a name for your company and start building your website. Only by taking action now will you be able to successfully build your wedding photography company. So take the time you need to get this action item done before moving on to the next lessons.

In this video, we show you how to purchase a domain name with Godaddy and Squarespace.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers the basics of wedding photography, such as choosing the right camera, settings, and composition

Will Carnahan, the co-instructor, is an experienced wedding photographer with more than 20 years of experience

Provides step-by-step instructions on how to shoot different types of wedding photos, such as portraits, candids, and group shots

Includes helpful tips on how to market your wedding photography business and attract clients

Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee

Reviews summary

Complete guide to wedding photography business

According to students, this course offers a comprehensive guide to becoming a wedding photographer, distinguishing itself by covering not only essential shooting and editing techniques but also critical business and marketing strategies. Learners particularly praise its practical, actionable advice, especially for those looking to build a professional career. The instructors are highly regarded for their clear explanations and real-world experience, making complex topics accessible. While the course is broadly beneficial, some learners noted that certain advanced topics or promised content, like aerial photography, were still listed as "coming soon" at the time of review, but the existing content provides a solid foundation for aspiring professionals.

Best suited for beginners or those transitioning to professional work.

"As a beginner, this course gave me a perfect foundation for starting out in wedding photography."

"For someone already experienced, some early sections might feel a bit basic, but it still offers good refreshers and business insights."

"I found the pace excellent for learning the ropes of wedding photography, from scratch to getting clients."

Instructors share valuable insights from professional experience.

"Will's practical advice from his own wedding photography career was invaluable and very relatable."

"The instructors explain complex topics clearly and are very encouraging throughout the lessons."

"I felt supported and could easily understand the material due to the instructor's engaging teaching style."

Teaches essential photo editing techniques and efficient workflows.

"The editing section showed me how to organize and efficiently cull hundreds of photos after a wedding."

"I improved my Lightroom and Photoshop skills significantly for handling large batches of wedding images."

"Learning how to develop my own editing style and export photos properly was a great takeaway."

Actionable advice and live demonstrations for wedding day photography.

"The live posing demos were fantastic; I immediately felt more confident in guiding couples during shoots."

"Understanding the wedding day schedule and how to approach each moment was extremely helpful."

"I especially liked the detailed walk-throughs of shooting specific parts of a wedding, like the ceremony and reception."

Essential guidance on setting up and running a photography business.

"The sections on pricing and getting your first clients were incredibly practical for me."

"I learned valuable strategies for building my brand and marketing my services effectively."

"The advice on contracts and managing workflow has prepared me well for client interactions."

A complete guide from business setup to photo editing.

"I found the course covered every aspect of starting a wedding photography business, which was incredibly helpful."

"It's truly a complete guide, addressing both the creative and financial sides of wedding photography."

"I appreciate how it walks you through the entire process, from getting clients to the actual wedding day."

Some anticipated course content is still marked as 'coming soon'.

"I noticed that the aerial photography section is still listed as 'coming soon,' which I was looking forward to exploring."

"I hope the 'Wedding Day Overview' update comes out soon to further enhance that crucial part of the course."

"It would be great to see the promised additional content added to make the course even more complete."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography with these activities:

Create a mood board or inspiration album

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Assembling a mood board or inspiration album helps you define your artistic vision for wedding photography. It serves as a reference point for capturing images aligned with your style and the couple's preferences.

Browse courses on Visual Storytelling

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Gather images from various sources (magazines, websites, social media) that resonate with your aesthetic preferences and inspire you.
Organize and curate the images into a digital or physical mood board.
Review the mood board regularly to stay aligned with your vision and communicate your style to clients.

Learn about using lighting equipment in wedding photography

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Mastering lighting techniques is crucial for capturing high-quality wedding photos in various lighting conditions. Studying tutorials can help you gain a comprehensive understanding of equipment and techniques.

Browse courses on Photography Techniques

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Identify reputable online tutorials or workshops on wedding photography lighting.
Follow along with the tutorials, actively taking notes and practicing the techniques with your own equipment.
Seek feedback on your lighting skills from experienced photographers or mentors.

Practice posing techniques with couples and individuals

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Refining your posing techniques is critical for capturing flattering and captivating wedding portraits. Deliberate practice through drills can help you master the art of directing couples and individuals.

Browse courses on Photography Techniques

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Find willing models (couples and individuals) to practice posing.
Study different posing techniques and experiment with angles, compositions, and lighting.
Give clear and concise direction to your models to achieve desired poses.
Review your results and identify areas for improvement.

Two other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all five activities

Start and manage a wedding photography website

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Creating and managing a wedding photography website provides a practical outlet to showcase your portfolio, connect with potential clients, and build your brand.

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Choose a website platform and domain name.
Design and develop a website that effectively showcases your photography and services.
Create and publish high-quality content that highlights your skills and provides valuable information for potential clients.
Promote your website through search engine optimization, social media, and other marketing channels.
Maintain and update your website regularly to ensure it stays up-to-date and relevant.

Practice shadowing and second shooting

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Shadowing and second shooting provide an excellent opportunity to refine techniques, gain hands-on experience, and build a more robust understanding of the wedding photography process.

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Secure an opportunity to shadow or second shoot an experienced wedding photographer.
Observe and assist the photographer throughout a wedding day, paying close attention to their techniques and workflow.
Take your own photos while shadowing or second shooting, seeking guidance and feedback from the experienced photographer.

Career center

Learners who complete Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Wedding Photographer

As a Wedding Photographer, you will be entrusted with capturing the joy and wonder of a couple's big day. They will turn to you for a set of images that not only capture their wedding, but help preserve their memories and legacy. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be useful in this role, especially through its emphasis on establishing an independent business. The course discusses topics such as pricing, establishing a portfolio, and attracting clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wedding Photographer

Event Photographer

Event Photographers work at many different types of major events, including conferences, parties, award ceremonies, and product launches. Many may specialize in particular types of events. You will play a key role in building hype for an event as well as ensuring that its key moments are captured in vivid detail. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be especially helpful for enhancing your ability to interact with clients and capture images in fast-paced settings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Photographer

Portrait Photographer

Portrait Photographers specialize in capturing images of people. These are often used for special occasions such as family photoshoots, senior photos, and engagements. The focus is on using lighting and other tools to bring out a subject's best features. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be helpful for Portrait Photographers, especially through its in-depth coverage of posing and lighting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portrait Photographer

Photojournalist

Photojournalists have a responsibility to inform and engage the public with visual stories that use truthful and compelling imagery. Many focus on capturing key moments of a story, including people, events, and places. Photojournalists must possess a strong understanding of journalistic ethics and best practices. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be helpful in this role through its instruction in capturing emotion and storytelling through photographs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photojournalist

Fashion Photographer

Fashion Photographers work in conjunction with designers and other fashion professionals to capture images of clothing, accessories, and models. They are experts in building sets, working with a team, and using props. Fashion Photographers often publish their work in magazines and catalogs, or online. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be useful in this role, especially for its in-depth coverage of lighting, composition, and posing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Photographer

Product Photographer

Product Photographers take photos of products for use in advertising, marketing, and e-commerce. These photos must help visually communicate a product's key features in a persuasive manner. Product Photographers must possess a keen attention to detail and an understanding of what will drive sales. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be useful in this role by introducing fundamentals of lighting, composition, and editing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Photographer

Editor

Editors use their knowledge of grammar, spelling, and style to correct and improve documents. They ensure that documents are clear, concise, and free of errors. Editors may focus on a particular kind of document, such as academic articles, website content, or marketing copy. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be useful for learning about visual storytelling, image sequencing, and how to convey ideas through images.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for designing and executing marketing campaigns that help promote business. This role focuses on market research, brand management, and advertising. Marketing Managers must possess strong communication and analytical skills. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be useful in this role by providing insights into pricing, building a client list, and marketing a portfolio.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers build and maintain a positive image of organizations. They work to build relationships with the media and other stakeholders, and they manage the flow of information between an organization and its public. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be helpful in this role by offering insights into personal branding, building relationships with clients and stakeholders, and managing the flow of images to the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Art Director

Art Directors are responsible for overseeing the visual style and presentation of marketing and advertising materials. They work closely with graphic designers, photographers, and other creative professionals to ensure that all creative projects are consistent with a brand's image. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be useful in this role by providing an in-depth understanding of lighting, composition, editing, and image sequencing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Photographer's Assistant

Photographer's Assistants help photographers manage the technical and creative aspects of a photoshoot. They assist with tasks such as setting up equipment, managing light, and assisting with camera operation. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be useful in this role by giving you an in-depth overview of the skills and equipment used by professional photographers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photographer's Assistant

Freelance Photographer

Freelance Photographers are self-employed photographers who work on a variety of projects for different clients. They must be highly organized and self-motivated, with a strong understanding of photography and business. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be useful in this role by providing guidance on business structure, marketing, and interacting with clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Photographer

Photography Teacher

Photography Teachers educate students about the art and techniques of photography. They may work at a variety of levels, including high school, college, and community center. Photography Teachers must be passionate about photography and able to communicate their knowledge clearly and effectively. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be useful in this role by providing the in-depth knowledge and techniques of photography.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photography Teacher

Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers are responsible for managing the online presence of businesses and organizations. They create and publish content, engage with followers, and track results. Social Media Managers must be creative and strategic, with a strong understanding of social media platforms. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be useful in this role by providing insights into visual storytelling, image sequencing, and communicating ideas through images.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Web Designer

Web Designers create and maintain websites. They work with clients to determine the website's purpose and audience, and then design and develop the website accordingly. Web Designers must be creative and have a strong understanding of web design principles. Wedding Photography: Complete Guide to Wedding Photography may be useful in this role by providing an understanding of visual storytelling, image sequencing, and presenting images in an attractive, user-friendly manner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer