So you want to be a Wedding Photographer? Hmmm????
Every JettyBlue client enjoys a very special level of service that includes being made to feel like they’re one of the family. To be commissioned to capture a Bride’s precious wedding memories is a true privilege and our clients deserve the very best from a photographer – skill, talent, experience, commitment, individuality and pride in their own work.
The mantra of JettyBlue is “The only place Success comes before Work is in the Dictionary”. We understand how much work it actually takes to become a true artisan and we’re always got our ear to the ground for aspiring new talent or experienced shooters looking to expand their portfolio.
So, if you think you have the potential and our mantra is one that is close to your heart, we’d love to hear from you, but here are some things you’ll need first:
Qualifications
1. Qualifications – No, really. While not absolutely essential, it goes a hell of a long way to make you stand out of the ever increasing pack of “wannabe” shooters. I highly recommend you at the very least, learn the basics of Photography and Camera Craft at your local Uni, TAFE, community college or a photography college such as the ACP in Paddington. I myself have a Degree in Visual Communications (Photography & Digital Imaging) and while nothing beats experience, the quality of teaching and the shared learning from multiple lecturers from differing professional photographic backgrounds was invaluable.
2. An Awesome Personality – What makes a good wedding photographer great??? Personality! It is the one thing that can make or break a wedding day. You need to fit seamlessly into a Bride’s plans, yet steer the ship away from any icebergs. You’ll need to keep your cool while wrangling excited family and guests, making sure the Bride is relaxed and beautiful, dealing (politely) with “Uncle Nev” who fancies himself as a hot shot photo pro, winning the heart of the Bride’s Mum by remembering not only her name but the whole family and the dog’s name too, working in with the hire-car driver who’s panicking about finishing on time so he can get to his next gig, all the while you’re making the whole experience nothing but fun for the bridal party without breaking a sweat and the smile never fades from your face.
3. A Well-Equipped Kit – What sets you apart from “Uncle Nev” and the camera he just picked up at Harvey Norman? Your equipment will be professional industry standard and you know how to get the best out of it, that’s what. To be a shooter with JettyBlue Photography, we require you to have access to (via owning, borrowing or renting) the following equipment:
A Car: Thank you Captain Obvious!
Camera Body(s): If you’re just starting out, you may only have the one body. But to be a serious shooter (and be paid accordingly) you will definitely need two bodies:
Minimum – Canon 50D or Nikon D90 or above
Preferred – Canon 5D Mark II or Nikon D700 or above
Lenses: Minimum – At least one zoom lens: 24-105mm f/4.0 or 24-70 f2.8
Preferred – The above zoom PLUS: Prime lenses 85mm, 50mm, 17-40mm f4.0 wide angle and 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto.
Lighting: Minimum – Canon 430EX, or Nikon SB600
Preferred – Canon 580EX II, or Nikon SB900 with a diffuser
Memory & Accessories: Minimum – 20Gb of storage
Preferred – 32Gb of storage on no bigger capacity than 4Gb and/or 8Gb @ 30Mb/sec Cards, a collapsible “5 in 1” reflector.
4. An Individual Talent – What REALLY sets you apart from “Uncle Nev”? You’ll have a galaxy of talent, creativity and passion for the art of wedding photography. Alongside your unique talent at taking photos, it also takes hard work, flexibility, a healthy attitude and sometimes courage to be a good wedding shooter. You will have the fundamentals and technical skill under your belt, which means you will have a good grasp of the main rules of exposure, composition and framing (an experienced shooter does NOT need the majority of their shots cropped in post production). If you have energy, a good attitude and willingness to be taught, I’ll show you the rest.
What’s in it for you???
Experience: I’ve put this point first because this is the most important “gain” of them all and is of incalculable value, not only for you but also for JettyBlue. You are learning a trade that you can take with you wherever you go for the rest of your life. Every wedding you shoot will make you more confident, stronger, sharper, fitter (did I mention 14hrs on your feet is no walk in the park), more creative, more imaginative and MORE VALUABLE!
Work! Our ultimate goal is to help you achieve a level of excellence that means you will be inducted into the JettyBlue “circle of trust”. Once inside the circle, you will first be assigned to 2nd shoot alongside more experienced photographers, then as your experience and talent develops, you’ll be sent out to shoot weddings on your own when our bookings overflow. How quickly you make it into the circle is up to you.
Networking & Training: I have been shooting weddings for over 15 years and in that time, I have accumulated a bunch of friends in the industry who are absolute experts in their fields. Their knowledge is invaluable and successful applicants who have proven themselves worthy of representing JettyBlue Photography will be introduced to a whole new world of wedding experts. You will also have ample opportunity to hone your skills with “extra-curricular” shoots. Whilst we get that slavery isn’t cool, there are always smaller weddings that don’t require two photographers and you are always welcome to “tag along” for part or all of the day, just for the tuition and experience (which can’t be taught).
Portfolio: Our Second shooters are (mostly) allowed to post images taken by them on their blog. We know that you need to have something to show for your time and a visual reference to track your progress, but we have a few simple rules for those in the circle. Please contact us for details.
Payment: While the first (and depending on your experience level, maybe even the second) wedding you shoot with us will be unpaid, payment in subsequent weddings will depend on the length of the wedding, your previous experience and the quality of your work. These are negotiated with you beforehand.
So where to from here?
If you’ve read all this, haven’t fallen asleep and said “YES! that’s ME!”, then please email me with the following information:
Name:
Email:
Mobile:
Complete List of your Kit:
Previous shooting experience (weddings and/or other):
Attach your CV and/or a link or pdf of your portfolio
If you tick all the right boxes, I’ll be in touch to arrange a meeting in the Studio where we can discuss your goals and ambitions and see if JettyBlue can help you achieve them. Going forward from there, you’ll be given an opportunity to tag along with me on my next wedding where I’d like to see you in action as a secondary shooter (with limited obligations on either of us). This first wedding, which will be unpaid, is essentially an “attitude test” and gives me an opportunity to assess the quality of your photography, your experience, personality and potential working relationship. It also gives you the opportunity to decide if JettyBlue is the best studio for you.
From that point, the sky’s the limit! I can’t wait to hear from you…