A wedding photography business is a great way for anyone to start making money with very little preparation. The work is varied, well-paid and satisfying.

Preparation

A $50 digital camera will not do if you are serious about getting into wedding photography.

A digital SLR is the best but is by no means necessary. Look to spend around $200 on a good camera. Remember, you should be able to recoup this fee after one or two weddings so consider it an excellent investment in your business. Mention it to your accountant too because you should be able to get tax deductions.

Other than this, you should develop a basic understanding of how to use your camera. You should also specifically look into the best ways to take pictures of people.

Advertising Yourself

The first thing you should do is to spread word of your services via word of mouth. Tell your friends, especially via Facebook because you can reach many people very easily this way.

You may also want to consider advertising in a local newspaper. I especially recommend using the Google Adwords advertising service to pinpoint local keyword searches e.g. wedding photography your town. Although advertising will cost, if you are careful enough to target your advertising properly then the costs should be minimal.

Posing Shots

Most of the shots that you take will be posed ones. The most important are those after the ceremony when the bride, groom and family pose for pictures. Make sure you have a good understanding of lighting or else you risk ruining the wedding!

The reception after the wedding is also a time when you will be extremely busy. Make sure to cover the entire floor and take plenty of photographs.

Candid Shots

Most of your shots will be posed but it is also important to get a few candid shots too. Candid shots are a great addition because they often better catch the atmosphere of the event. Be careful not to take candid shots from too close a distance - people who discover they have had a candid shot taken of them are often offended and this is a situation that you should avoid.

Prints

Aside from your standard photography fee, you can also make a lot of money from prints with cardboard frames. One of the best ways to make money this way is to hand out a business card with your website address on it. You should upload the photographs to this website and provide an easy ordering option for prints. Many people will make an impulsive purchase as a result.