I started photographing weddings in 2013 after I graduated college.

A local photographer took me under her wing and taught me SO much, but there’s still so much that can only be learned by doing it.

1. Second shoot often and grow thick skin. You’ll never learn if you put yourself in an untouchable bubble where you aren’t willing to grow. I’ve been in this business 5+ years at this point and I crave feedback. I take every opportunity to second shoot that my schedule can handle and I always ask my main shooters what they liked and what they didn’t like about my style of shooting.

   I’m pretty outspoken and like to vibe with my couples so they trust me even if I’m not the main shooter. Sometimes the main doesn’t like that and I respect it if we ever work again. Some people like a hands on second. Others like someone who blends into the shadows.Ask what you can do to be the best help possible.(and take plenty of behind the scenes photos for them, you never know when one may be helpful for their website.)

Kelsey in her natural habitat, for example.

2. Never stop learning. I naively thought that being a wedding photographer would take a couple years of real effort, then I would be an expert. I could not have been any more wrong. I make it an effort to never, ever, ever stop learning.

Here are my favorite places to learn:

Creative Live Every topic is covered here. Newborns, Weddings, Photoshop, etc.PhlearnEditing Tutorials GaloreDo More ForumBoudoir posing, editing, marketing, etc.Katelyn JamesConsistency, Posing, etc. She also has a monthly fee and you can watch her shoot entire weddings.Katch SilvaEditing & How to direct posing as well as other miscellaneous goodiesBen SassoStyle/Branding, Editing, Consistency