Booked Your First Event Photography Job? Tips and Motivation for Beginners!

[@snapsbySilviu]

Hey Mik, I’m doing photography as a hobby at the moment and I came across your channel by looking for on camera flash photography and discovered your incredibly insightful videos! By being honest and transparent you are showing people what is to be a real event photographer and tips of running the business! You’ve got a new subscriber and already shared your channel with friends interested in photography! Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@MikMilman]

Thank you for doing that. It means a lot to me :)

[@viviennejohnston1046]

Great advice !! 😊

[@hopeforthefuturesg]

I love your videos man! You speaking truth! Boy I’m so glad I got over that anxiety a long time ago. Lol. It’s true too when your thinking too much it will reflect on your work. Now I go into shoots as relaxed as could be and confident of my Knowledge and situations that might arise. I honestly could say I love the challenges now! Have fun, be a positive person, and always be kind and you will succeed far more!

[@MikMilman]

Well said.

[@amandakarlsson4343]

Thank you for some great advice! 🙂 I just recently started shooting events that aren't family & friends', and I actually keep a copy of your list with shots to take in my camera bag. Videos like this are great for lonely photographers like myself!

[@MikMilman]

Glad to hear my content is being put to use! There's also a printable version of my event photography checklist in that videos description. You might find that helpful as well.

[@guyphoto9437]

Good job again Mik. I never had a problem with nerves or anything at weddings or events. I probably shot a few hundred weddings in the 20 years or so that I shot weddings and events. I also never had a second shooter, just an assistant to carry equipment, help set up lights, and watch my equipment so it didn't get stolen. But...what you said about going to an event and you're just not in the mood struck a chord. I also shot and still shoot graduating seniors and models and there was a lot of times, whether I was shooting in the studio or on location, that I just didn't want to do it. I wasn't in the mood. The weather was lousy, the client was running late, whatever. However, once the shoot started, I completely forgot about my mood and got into the fun of doing the session, so hopefully this happens to a lot of shooters and not just me. I'm not as zenned out as you, so I never used extra time to contemplate anything, I did use it to find a cup of coffee, or scope the place out, etc. No disrespect on the zen thing, just hope it made you smile.

[@itskdeem]

How do you get into Event Photography exactly? I've been doing photography on and off since 2017. I've did two weddings in that time which caused me to overthink it all. The reason i've been doing photography on and off is because I really don't like the posed type photos, My style is really candid. I would love to to do Birthday Parties, Festivals, Concerts, and things of that nature.

[@MikMilman]

What you mention is a big factor in why I shoot events. When I started out as a professional photographer, I shot weddings, as it was easy to get into. I started off second shooting, then shooting on my own concurrently until I only shot on my own. Shooting events is definitely something I think a lot of wedding photographers find themselves just organically doing on the side. the skill sets involved have a lot of overlap; they really have more in common than not. Another thing I should mention is that weddings can be just as hands off as event photography. When I started I was an outlier in this approach, but now its pretty common. I think so long as you manage expectations about what your "style" is, youre fine. Anyway if you're interested in hearing more about my own personal journey, I do believe I made a video on the subject. But additionally, I have also been working on future content in which I explore the career path of an event photographer.

[@itskdeem]

@@MikMilman I think that's it trying to figure out how I want to shoot certain things, which makes it the day session stressful. Thank you for the response! I'm gonna watch the other video now.

[@MikMilman]

@@itskdeem With time, you will find your own voice. I knew what I wanted to say with my work from the start, but I lacked the confidence to clearly state it... and so I felt like I had to conform to the trends to some degree.

[@itskdeem]

@@MikMilman so true! I just wanna be sure in whatever I do.

[@loganz]

Shots from your first wedding were fantastic.

[@MikMilman]

Thank you.

[@abranchesf]

Thank you, Mik.

[@jennanadigoo785]

Great stuff

[@applepiephotoandvideo5936]

Thanks for all the great advice. I did my first gig 2 weeks ago for an 18th birthday party and my stress level was way up there.

[@MikMilman]

How did it turn out?

[@bustaubie]

@@MikMilman It turned out fine. There were great shots and not so good shots. There were so many variables with the event (lighting, etc.) that made it really challenging.

[@bngr_bngr]

Why is your couch so out of focus?

[@MikMilman]

Why or how?

[@peterlechowski2691]

Great Channel. My first pro event is coming this Saturday. Fundraising Gala at the local theater. Very exciting!

[@MikMilman]

Lmk how it goes.

[@peterlechowski2691]

@@MikMilman will do. Slightly nervous about using the flash. My primary hardware will be R6 and 24 70 mm f 2.8 M2.

[@EdwardBliffin]

Im really enjoying your channel, im getting more into event photography, my backgroud is portraits, street, and graphic design....I honestly feel relaxed during events, never nervous, just there doing my thing