How to Build Your Wedding Portfolio Even If You've Never Shot a Wedding

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This might sound like one of those challenging Catch-22-type things.

In the case of a wedding photographer, you can't build a wedding portfolio until you shoot a wedding, and you can't shoot a wedding until you build a wedding portfolio...what can an aspiring wedding photographer do?

The short version is to take photos at friends' or family members' weddings. But there is a HUGE caveat I must lay down first.

Please, PLEASE do not get in the way of the hired photographer, and absolutely DO NOT strut in there like you're also a hired photographer. Why? BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT, and some photographers have a real problem when this happens, and you don't want to be THAT person.

My best recommendation is to seek out a friend's wedding and use this as an opportunity to get some wedding photos for your portfolio.

The first step is to chat with the bride or groom (whomever you are close with) and get their permission first. Tell them your dreams, hopes and desires for your future and also let them know if they're cool, you'll speak to their photographer to make sure it's cool with them.

This might seem awkward, but it's important and will set the stage for everything moving forward.

I recommend you introduce yourself to the hired photographer and ASK them if you may take some photos during the reception or at times that do not conflict with what they are doing.

A key thing to tell the hired professional is that you will NOT take any photos during the family and wedding groups.

This is a touchy part for all photographers, so it's best to address this right up front and put them at ease with you.

This would also be a good time to express your deep desire to be a successful wedding pro like they are and learn from them how to build a business of your own. You don't have to kiss their backside, but a little genuine graciousness goes a long way.

If they're a solo photographer, you can tell them you'd be happy to give the photos to them (basically acting as an unpaid assistant), and they can use any they might like as long as you can use your shots for your own future promotional purposes.

Don't underestimate this proposal. I think there's tremendous value in having a second shooter, especially if they're not the running-from-place-to-place kind of photographer.

You also have the opportunity to watch the photographer. See the things they do you like, make a mental note of those things you don't like and then chat with the bride after the wedding and get her opinion of why they hired their photographer - likes/dislikes, etc.

OK, back to the portfolio-building!

If you want to get some shots during the ceremony, do it from your seat, and DO NOT get up and move around. You're going to be in their shot for sure.

BUT if you choose your seat wisely, you can get some great photos AND from an angle and proximity that even the hired photographer can't get.

At the reception, things will be a bit more relaxed. Try not to look like you're working, but grab some artistic shots of the flowers and table settings. The cake is usually in full view as well.

Be careful during the first dance because a wedding photographer with any decent skills will be moving to get a good shot, since the couple is in constant motion. Please don't get in their way.

Just use some good common sense and look for something unique and unexpected. Don't forget, the hired photographer is there to get everything - the wide, medium, and closeup shots and do it all in an artistic way that matches their style.

This is a unique opportunity for you to get something totally groovy for the couple who invited you to their wedding without the pressure of being on the job.

Perhaps you can take it one step further by framing a photo you took and gifting it to the couple with a thank you note. (Something small like a 5x7 is perfect).

Then, when people are visiting the newlyweds and see that shot, they comment on the couple's photographer, and the bride can happily say, "Oh, my cousin shot that. She's got a great eye and is building her own photography business." And if the inquirer needs a photographer, guess who will be on the short list of candidates?

But what if you do NOT have a wedding to crash to get photos? Now you get to create some great photos and make a nice couple very happy.

Start with your relatives - sisters or brothers and their spouse or girl/boyfriend and then work down to your friends (the higher up the food chain, the more likely they are to be patient with you). You can ask them to play models for you. They don't have to be in a wedding dress and tux. How about a suit and a sparkly party dress? That's all you need.

Take your couple to a local church, preferably one with some cool architecture outside, and get some cool shots. You have a captive audience and no time crunch, so this is a great opportunity just to play.

Find inspiration online with famous wedding photographers (yes, there are actually famous ones) and borrow some of the poses from them. And don't just think of this as a way to get photos for your portfolio. You can use this as practice for working with couples - making them feel at ease. You get to interact with them, and they get to experience how you guide them and control the situation. Talk to them after the fact and use this as a learning moment.

You always want to remember that when a couple is with you, they look to you for what to do. They will rarely feel so empowered to tell you what they want to do. Most will just stand there until you tell them. This is why planning ahead and scouting out the locale is a good idea. You want to move with confidence. They'll play along when they see you moving them with focus and intention. If you look unsure, they'll feel unsure...and not just about the photo shoot.

Getting this opportunity to have some free talent gives you room to explore locations, time of day, and even challenging situations. You get to shoot without failing and then use these photos as samples when talking to prospective brides. You can tell them about this church and how there's fantastic light at the time they'll be taking photos.

Or there's a local botanical garden that makes for great photos on the way to the reception. All of these stories behind the photos turn your portfolio into more than just a collection of cool shots - they are a peek into your process, and your process sells you just as much as your photos do (I think even more).

Building your portfolio is also something that never stops. You'll always take great photos, so when you do, show them off, and tell the story. You do want to have a structure to your presentation, but you don't want to get to where the photos are so old that someone might actually notice. Always keep it fresh!

Is there an area you’re currently challenged with? Feel free to reach out. You can add a comment below or shoot me an email at [email protected]