Customer Reviews

The Business of Wedding Photography (Business of photography)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At first I thought this book would be another "this is how I did it, just copy me" publication that is so common in the photography industry. In contrast, though, Monteith has taken a fresh approach by describing the various options available for all your business decisions. It covers all the major ideas used by photographers today (both full-time and part-time), and lets you decide how you want to run your business. Great for new photographers and veterans. I wish this book was available when I started my photography business--it would have saved me a lot of headaches and research.

Ann Monteith clearly sets out the various issues related to establishing a wedding photography business, whether it be a fully equiped full-time studio business or a weekend, on-location service. She explains the types of business structures (sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, etc.) and their advantages and disadvantages for the wedding photographer. She also devotes whole chapters to the following subjects: -Marketing objectives -Business Location -Product (album) design and presentation -Pricing services and products, and more!

The second half of this book contains profiles of currently established wedding photographers who explain their business strategies and photographic styles. These profiles include examples of the photographers' works - collections of wedding photographs which are a joy to browse through and which lend ideas to the aspiring wedding photographer or established professional.

This book is out of print. It was written in early 1997. Obviously, it is technologically way out of date and doesn't touch on digital photography, but is still technically relevant if you're still shooting film. If you're looking for the latest Lightroom/Photoshop workflow walkthroughs look elsewhere - that's 180 degrees from what the book is about. Neither is it about the shooting workflow of a wedding (what shots to get and how to get them).

However, if you are considering starting a wedding business, or tuning up an existing wedding business, get a copy of this book if you can find one. In the first half of this book, Ann takes you on a no-nonsense walk through of the business end of photography, the paper pushing no-camera-required realities of the wedding photography business, and gives sound advice. This is the side of professional photography that photographers don't normally discuss - ranks right up there with scrubbing toilets. BUT - if as a pro shooter you don't follow sound business and marketing practices, you'll never realize your financial earning potential in a poor paying and highly competitive profession.

The second half of the book is about 30 pros who give their own views and twists on things. Each one takes a few pages to share their wisdom. There is much and varied wisdom to be picked up from their contributions as well, but don't expect any depth in this section. Even if albums are handled somewhat different now than they were when this book was written, we still sell albums.

I picked up a used hardback copy (no paper cover slip, fair condition) for under $5.00. That price tag is taken into consideration in my 5 star rating. I highly recommend getting this book if you can find it used and at a good price. New ones are a pricey due to the out of print status and are not worth the money.

Also see my review on the excellent related book:
The Business of Studio Photography: How to Start and Run a Successful Photography Studio (Paperback) by Edward Lilley (c) 2002

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The book is well outlined and hits on every detail necessary to operate a successfull wedding photography business. Monteith also adds profiles of some of the world's best wedding photographers who give their take on the world of wedding photography. Great book!

In the first section of the book Ann Monteith gives the nuts and bolts for putting together a wedding photography buisness. The second section features 30 Top International Wedding Photographers. I was honored to be included by Ann. Photographs and inner thoughts are shared from the chosen photographers.