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Are you constantly asking yourself, “How to become a better photographer?” Well, worry not – this blog is the answer to all your worries! As a wedding photographer, you know firsthand just how hectic a wedding day can be, with countless moments to capture and a wonderful love story to tell. However, with the right tools, techniques, and mindset, you can easily elevate your craft and capture the photos your clients truly desire. It’s all about constantly honing your skills and staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends. We reached out to wedding photographers Amy and Jordan Demos, and they’ve let slip some secrets that we are going to share with you.

5 Ways On How To Become A Better Wedding Photographer

1. Love And Serve Your Clients Well

As a professional photographer, you are not just capturing images of the couple and interacting with them, but you’re also part of the couple’s family for the day! This means photographing people of all ages, from the youngest ring-bearers and junior bridesmaids to grandparents and great grandparents. As Amy and Jordan Demos affirm, "Our years of shooting portraits for clients of all different ages helped give us the experience we needed to serve everyone well and be able to do it quickly, effectively, and on the fly." This valuable experience in photographing people of different ages has honed their skills and enabled them to be versatile and efficient every time they’re documenting a wedding.

Read More: How To Ask Your Wedding Clients For Reviews

2. Hone Your Posing Skills

When it comes to becoming a better photographer, every opportunity counts. According to Amy and Jordan, "Every time we photographed a couple during a portrait session, whether they were engaged or had been married for thirty years, we viewed it as an opportunity to hone in on our posing."

Unlike weddings, portrait sessions provide more time and flexibility, allowing you to experiment with different angles, poses, and lighting. Wedding days are fast-paced and unpredictable, but portrait sessions allow more time to think without all the pressure. Portrait sessions present a chance to learn and grow, making it an excellent opportunity to become a better photographer.

3. Steer Clear From Debt

Many great photographers attribute their success to the decision they made early on in their careers. One such decision was made by Amy and Jordan, “Before we got married, we read Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover and committed to living our lives debt-free. That was (is, and always will be) one of the greatest blessings of our marriage.” They worked full-time as elementary school teachers and coached youth soccer at their church to earn extra money for camera equipment. Every penny they made from shooting portraits went towards buying the lenses and flashes they needed to become better photographers. In essence, financial responsibility and smart investment choices can prove to be invaluable in a photographer's career. Through dedicated financial responsibility, you can learn how to become a better photographer and establish a strong foundation for your business.

Related Read: Tips To Manage Business Finance For Wedding Photographers

4. Master Lighting

Lighting is a key factor in creating a good-quality image. It not only determines brightness and darkness but also sets the tone and mood for your pictures. To control and manipulate light correctly, you need to learn how to work with camera settings like shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. But beyond technical know-how, you also need to train your eyes to find the best light in any given situation.

As Amy and Jordan say, "Shooting portraits consistently helped train our eyes to find the best light anywhere we go. We're so thankful for all the experience and confidence that was built during portrait sessions." So whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, never stop learning and experimenting with lighting to become a better photographer - you got this!

5. Expand Your Reach

“Shooting portraits introduced us to so many people we had never met before and expanded our network. Our portrait clients have been some of our best referral sources, and we've even had some portrait work evolve into future weddings!” – Amy and Jordan Demos 

Networking and brand awareness go hand in hand, and there are more ways to go about it. Creating an online presence and using social media to your advantage is one way to go. By leveraging the following tactics, you can expand your network and ultimately become a better photographer:

• Create an online portfolio and optimize your website for search engine optimization (SEO). 
  
  
• Blogging on platforms like Medium can help you join a network of curious minds to connect with numerous like-minded and interested readers.
  
  
• Using social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and even TikTok could help you reach new audiences and engage with existing ones.
  
  
• Improving conversations through email marketing is an effective strategy to grow your business.

How To Become Better At Wedding Photography: Bonus Tips From ShootDotEdit

While we agree with the husband and wife wedding photography team, Amy and Jordan Demos, here are some bonus tips to becoming a better photographer. 

1. Practice The Basics Of Photography

No matter what level you’re on, practicing the basics of photography is a must. Begin by grasping concepts such as the rule of thirds, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, depth of field, and focal point in creating the ideal shot. But that's not all – learning how to manipulate lighting and composition techniques are equally crucial. Invest in camera equipment like tripods, lenses, filters, lighting equipment like reflectors and diffusers, and photo editing software like Lightroom or Photoshop to enhance your shots further. Additionally, practicing regularly, reviewing your work, and seeking out learning opportunities, like attending workshops or online courses, can help you stay on top of your game and become the best wedding photographer you can be!

2. Be Open To Feedback And Test New Waters

As a photographer, it's important to be adaptable and open to feedback to refine your skills and take on new challenges. Don't shy away from testing new techniques and shooting in difficult situations like midday for outdoor photography, low-light conditions, or backlighting subjects. Always look for ways to push your creative boundaries and learn from feedback to improve your craft. By being open to new experiences and constructive criticism, you can harness the power of your artistic vision and learn how to become a better photographer. So step out of your comfort zone and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead!

Further Read: 5 Tips To Land The Ideal Client For Wedding Photographers

It takes dedication, hard work, and an eagerness to learn and grow to become a better wedding photographer. By prioritizing your clients, improving your posing skills, managing finances responsibly, mastering lighting, and expanding your reach, you can elevate your craft and create breathtaking photos for your clients. Additionally, practicing the basics of photography, being open to feedback, and stepping out of your comfort zone could help you up your photography game. We hope this blog proves beneficial for you in becoming a better wedding photographer.

At ShootDotEdit, we are passionate about helping you grow as a wedding photographer. However, if you find that endless editing tasks are blocking your way and sapping your energy, let us help! To learn more about how our professional photo editing services could give you your time back, check out our pricing plans.