Actually the camera you use is totally UNIMPORTANT.
What you know about Photography, Weddings both Portraits and Candids is MOST IMPORTANT. For many decades wanna be photographers have been asking similar questions and failing to get the job done as it should be. You can't LEARN to be a Professional by doing weddings.
The most important is top quality professional quality work, which has been done in the past with very limited quality cameras. I shot Wedding in the 40's and 50's with a twin lens reflex. Not the Rolli or most expensive one, but a Yashicamat and every shot was a keeper.
A good Photographer who knows what they are doing can do the job with virtually ANY camera. One who does not or has little and no experience will most always DISAPPOINT the Bride. Disappoint the Bride, you get no referrals. Remember they went to school with a lot of other women and will never refer a photographer who fails to do a top quality job.
One good wedding can put a photographer in business, with more referrals than you would realize. One failed Wedding and every person that Bride knows or talks with will create a reputation that may bankrupt you or even result in a lawsuit...
Go to a Photography school, if you can't then apprentice with the best Wedding Photographer in town. If you cant get work in a Studio as an apprentice by showing your current ability to take Portraits or Candids, FORGET Weddings. You do not yet have the ability to do one on your own.
The question, shows you are not even close to being ready.
Being a Professional Photographer is NOT just the ability to use an automatic camera to take photographs. Knowledge of the field of Wedding Photography is much more important, what candids to get and how to pose groups. Professional Wedding Photographers don't just get those shots by accident. They set up situations. A good Wedding Photographer is like the Director in a movie. They guide the Bride and Grooms family or relatives through it.
Many who thought they could do Weddings have wound up in small claims court because of their failures. But having to return the money is not the worst. The worst is that a Bride who on the most important day of their life, does not have the memories of that day.
I'd been a Professional for over 5 years with my own studio, before doing my first Wedding on my own. Had been working with a Wedding Photographer for five years... (ONE year should be the minimum requirement.)
My lead in to weddings was a contract to do the HS Graduation pictures for a school with 300 students in the graduating class and candids for the Year book, before becoming a Wedding Photographer. After that job, all the Girls in the Class began asking me to do their Weddings.
The most important part of being a Photographer is knowing the BUSINESS end of running a business. Over 60% of most who attempt to go into business fail, because they have no idea how to run a business. Probably more important than being able to capture a pleasing photo, is a business education.
Knowing all the laws related to a business, paperwork necessary, how to handle state and/or local and federal taxes. Where to get finished work processed. (A commercial processor who does a lot of Weddings.) How much to spend on advertising and where to spend it. (18-20% of gross income or more in the beginning.) The list just goes on, and on, and on. A good course in a school teaches you more than Photography or Posing and should include Business.
Over 60 years as a Professional, Ive now retired and shoot only what I want to spend my time on. Been traveling around the country Full Time in a MotorHome for 14 years now.
![[No title]](/data/xfmg/thumbnail/30/30863-8c53522e4ed851e96cb7411e74b9fe59.jpg?1734158825)
