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An image by wedding photographer SAS Becker. © SAS Becker

Q: What is the biggest mindset change that needs to happen in order to make a successful transition from part-time to full-time wedding photographer?

A: Making the switch from commercial photography to the private sector seemed like an easy transition.  At first, I thought private clients would be easier than photo editors and art buyers… somehow not as demanding. This is not the case. Just think about how much is riding on a wedding: all of the planning, money, anticipation. You can almost always reshoot a model — not a wedding. I think you should approach your families and couples like a commercial shoot. You should always have a concept or an idea you are trying to convey. Are your subjects free spirited, strong, inspiring, or traditional? How will you illustrate this visually? Having a concept brings depth to your images and brings them to life. In the end, whether it’s an art director, a bride, or a new mom, all you really want is for them to be happy with the end result.

This is also really a question about values. I would prefer to think of myself as more than simply a service provider or vendor. In the end I am providing my clients with a photographic product. But, I am not making widgets here; I am giving 110% of my time, talent, and heart as an artist. My values tell me to treat it like a business. Your customer always comes first. It is my job to make sure they are satisfied. So before, during, and after the creation of the photos I am a business professional, they just get a little piece of me in every sale ;-)

A wedding image by SAS Becker. ©SAS Becker

Q. How can you assess when is the right time to make the transition from part-time to full-time wedding photography?

A. It is extremely important that you be ready to deliver a professional product when you make the switch from weekend shooter to pro. You really are only as good as your last job. You have time to bone up on the business end of things, but your images are your reputation. Go out on as many jobs as possible as a second photographer. Then you’ll have time to learn but not the pressure of being a lead. Your knowledge of your equipment should be second-hand. Practice at home in every conceivable lighting condition until you feel comfortable with any challenges that may arise. Look at the other work in the marketplace and ask yourself if yours measures up. Then, if you feel confident with your skill and vision, go for it!

A wedding image by SAS Becker. ©SAS Becker

I graduated photo school with some great contacts but not a lot of practical photo skills. I didn’t feel technically astute enough to be a first assistant so I became a photo editor. That taught me a lot about producing a great shoot, but it wasn’t as fulfilling for me as taking pictures. So in 1993 my husband and I took the leap and started building our stock photo library. We walked into a stock agency with a box of 8×10 black-and-white prints and got signed on the spot. The thing that was great about stock was that we could learn how to shoot on our own time. Granted it was our own dime, too, but through trial and error we figured out what we were doing. The stock allowed us to build a portfolio, which led to magazine assignments. The editorial work led us to a rep, which got us a few advertising gigs.

The ironic thing is that when we were first starting out people would ask us to shoot weddings. We ended up doing about ten a year. But we hated it. We had no control over the situation. We were used to directing our subjects and having time to figure out the lighting. With weddings you have to be “on” the entire time and the only time you get to direct is during the formals. So we let the weddings go by the way side and shot primarily stock for the next decade.

Then digital happened. All of a sudden everyone was a photographer. The cameras got better and more affordable. The price of equipment was no longer an obstacle to beginning shooters. The market was flooded and our stock sales dropped a lot. Now, here comes the bride… all of a sudden weddings are looking pretty good, and so are family portraits.

The great surprise is that now I actually love weddings. All the things that drove me to photography to begin with exist in weddings and portraits. I love people! As long as I get to photograph them, especially at a big party, I am happy. And, may I add that now that I have been shooting for twenty years, and I know what I am doing, the lack of control isn’t such an issue!