If you're coming onto internet forums looking for advice, then you're not ready in my opinion.
There are a few branches of photography where amateurs can earn a living: portraits being the most wide-spread, followed by weddings. Budding photogs are easily lured by the potential big money that weddings can bring in. I'm willing to bet that just about everyone on these forums has been approached by at least one friend who has asked about wedding photos.
It's easy to believe that you can shoot a wedding and everything will be peachy. However, have you considered:
- Equipment insurance. What if something happens to you or your gear?
- Do you have backup gear? Backups to the backup?
- Do you have a versatile arsenal of lenses in your bag to cover all situations?
- Indoor lighting? What would you do if it rains?
- What kind of editing software do you have?
- Can you prepare images for print, or know how to put an album together?
Weddings are pure chaos, and the pressure is high because there are no re-dos. There's no,
"Hey, can you do the kiss again? I missed the shot." This is one of the most important days of people's lives, and they're counting on you to get it right.
And perhaps most important of all: It takes years to build a successful reputation as a photographer, especially a wedding photographer. It only takes one bad day to ruin it all forever. As in, you'll never work in this town again.
Helene and Bill regularly shoot weddings, and will likely chime in here as well. But I think either will likely say that your best bet is to get some experience as a second shooter at several weddings first before taking the plunge yourself. Refer the first 5 or so to a photographer friend w/ experience and split the money. You'll work better as a team and you'll learn something in the process.
