A myth for some, a nightmare for others, weddings are a must for many photographers. Above all, it's a great opportunity to test yourself and make rapid progress in all areas.
The best school
Portraits, group shots, decor, atmosphere, reportage, parties... All in changing light. Covering a wedding as a photographer means immortalizing a multitude of situations over the course of a day. So let's be clear from the outset: you'll need to master your camera and know the capabilities of your lenses to avoid being caught unprepared on the big day. What focal length and aperture should I choose? Will I need a flash? You should already have an idea of what will be most appropriate for the location (church, town hall, outdoors in the sun or under the trees, etc.) in which you're photographing, and the weather.
Anticipating all these adjustments will allow you to concentrate on what is for me the key factor in a successful photo: good placement. Because if there's one thing wedding photography teaches us, it's that you have to be in the right place at the right time.
A chance to be creative
Wedding coverage can be likened to a long-distance race, with more or less calm moments. Unsurprisingly, the exchange of rings, the kiss or the bride and groom's exit from the church or town hall are moments of intense activity - and often stress - because everything is happening so fast, and you need to capture as many points of view and emotions as possible. Once you're out of the picture business, you'll be able to be more creative, and not be afraid of missing decisive moments. While it's not uncommon to capture moments of true grace during the preparations or at the fateful moment of saying "I do", it's especially at the cocktail party that the real gems begin to emerge. On the one hand, the bride and groom have got through the hardest part and are often more relaxed, and on the other, the waning sun offers a soft, orange light (in fine weather) conducive to the most beautiful shots. If, unfortunately, the weather doesn't cooperate, you'll have to be even more ingenious. A word of advice: play with the lines of buildings, perspectives, shadows... and umbrellas, which turn out to be great allies.
A happy day
It seems so obvious that we often forget to mention it: marriage is a happy day. At least, it's supposed to be. And personally, it's the reason I embarked on my first weddings. I love being in the middle of all those expressions of joy, love and excitement. On the same day, the bride and groom go through all the stages, and that only makes the moments that much stronger. Perhaps I'm more sensitive to this because of my long experience in journalism. Working for a long time in Parisian editorial offices, with a front-row seat to leaden news, mortifying and anxiety-provoking news, I often felt suffocated by the overflow of current events. At weddings, I've noticed that, out of respect for the bride and groom who have done their utmost to offer a unique moment, guests often put all that aside for a few hours. Weddings are an enchanted interlude. And I look forward to witnessing it every day.
A significant source of income
When it comes to pricing, there's no one-size-fits-all truth. Just a few observations. From amateur photographers offering services at €300 to professional photographers selling weddings at €5,000 or €7,000, the differences are enormous. There are also major disparities between regions. In Paris, prices are generally higher, but competition is fierce, bordering on saturation. In an area like Poitiers, where there is less competition, many services are in the region of 1,000 euros. Nationally, the average cost of a wedding photo service is around €1,200. Interested in this subject? I refer you to the excellent article by Sébastien Plouzennec , who has carried out a well-documented study of the sector.
A great opportunity to network
Let's look at things objectively: a wedding is usually attended by 100 to 200 people, most of whom are roughly the same age, interests and living space as the bride and groom. If we assume that, as a wedding photographer, you work within a 100 km radius of your home, then it's in your interest to do a few weddings to build up your network. If you only do weddings, there will undoubtedly be a few couples potentially interested in your services. A word of advice: never go out without a few business cards with you. There will also be plenty of opportunities to get to know people who may be interested in working with you to enhance their business.
First weddings: make sure you're accompanied
Planning your first wedding can be a source of anxiety and worry. Will I be up to the task? Will I be able to capture all the important moments? These are just some of the questions that can set you back. For my first experience, I was lucky enough to accompany a photographer friend who introduced me to his bride and groom. I was mainly involved as a videographer to film their secular ceremony, but once it was over, I was able to indulge in photography. That day, not only was I able to create a portfolio for myself, but I was also able to learn all the tricks of the trade from an experienced wedding photographer in Poito. I can only advise you to do the same.
See my photos of Camille and Nathan's wedding
See my Camille and Nathan's wedding video
Les Noces de Florent, wedding photographer in Poitiers, France
A photographer and videographer based in Poitiers, Les Noces de Florent travels all over France to immortalize your wedding. From the preparations to the evening, trust me to accompany you on the most beautiful adventure of your life. As a journalist for 15 years in Parisian editorial offices, I like to work in report mode. I'm as unobtrusive as possible to capture unexpected, spontaneous moments.
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