IN THE KNOW: FIVE ESSENTIAL SKILLS

COLIN JONES, Company Director for the SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers), the fastest-growing worldwide association for serious photographers, shares his tips for people starting out in wedding photography.

“As in many industries, training and mentoring is the cornerstone for building a successful business. Whether it is on the craft or the business itself, training and personal development should be the first consideration when entering the industry.

“Training can come in many forms, from one-to-one sessions and seminars to lessons in magazines and on online forums. Social meet-ups with like-minded photographers can also be beneficial to building your knowledge and skills.

The top five skills you really need:

1 Camera craft skills – know how to get accurate exposures in difficult lighting, use depth of field creatively, and focus accurately on the subject.

2 Composition – recognise that you should avoid simply placing the subject in the centre of the frame, and use the surroundings for interesting and original images.

3 Attention to detail – remember to look around the frame for distractions, and make sure that details such as the bride’s dress look their best.

4 Lighting skills – you need to understand how to make the most of both available light and flash to get professional-looking images.

5 Being able to give input – your subjects will need guiding and help with posing if you’re to get the best possible results. We highly recommend that newcomers to the industry seek professional training before taking on the challenge of their first wedding. Find out more about what the society can offer at www.swpp.co.uk.