Romantic Gay Weddings

free gay wedding photography?

Hi, Im a photographer looking to turn pro, and specialise in Civil Partnerships. Im currently building my portfolio and Im looking to shoot Civil Partnerships for free.
Any help or advice on where to advertise?
To specialise in means to concentrate on a specific area. some photographers choose to portraiture or lifestyle photography. some wedding photographers work in a traditional sense, others are more contemporary. for me to specialise particularly in Civil Partnerships is no different.

Public Comments

1. Isn't there an ad section in the paper you could use?

2. You could try gay magazines or websites. Maybe see if there is a gay bar near you that would be willing to hang posters or let you hand out flyers.

3. Advertise in gay communities or in gay magazines

4. How can you specialise a wedding is a wedding a civil partnership ceremony is no different. a photo is a photo,if and when I have my civil ceremony We will look for a photographer,not someone who makes an obvious distinction, bordering on closet ideas.

5. I think it's a good idea, as I'm looking into doing the same thing but not free as my portfolio is already built.

As far as it being a bad thing...I am getting married in Vermont to my partner in 2011 & I have found that alot of "traditional" photographers will not shoot at a gay wedding or commitment ceremony. They refuse or just don't feel comfortable.

Try gay magazines in your area, or look at building a website then advertising your site to other gay friendly sites.

I wish you the best of luck!

6. I'm a professional photographer. Your idea of shooting (free) to develop your portfolio is smart. But if you want to turn "pro" soon, be careful to not be "branded" as "The Free Gay Photographer".

I suggest Craigslist as a good place to find your "free" subjects. Placing an ad is free. Offer your services, and screen the people who respond to assure they have the "look" you're going for. Shoot two or three - no more - for free, then start offering your services to the paying public. Don't limit your initial portfolio to just Civil Ceremonies. Offer it as "gay couples" photo sesions, and you'll be able to get a wider variety of images that your future clients will be able to relate to.

You might also think about lurking about the Town Hall or other venue where these Civil Unions are performed. When you see a likely looking couple arrive, approach them and offer to photograph their ceremony and celebration free. Just don't approach couples who already have a pro photographer - could result in bodily harm!

Some of the other suggestions - using local "lifestyle" magazines or other publications that target your audience are great. Just don't spend too much money offering free services, and don't "taint" your later pro ads. I used a different business name when I first started out and wanted to develop my portfolio offering free or deeply discounted photography. Later I switched to my "real" identity to offer services for real money.

Best of luck.