Wedding Photography Mentoring
Wedding Photography Mentoring – Who Am I Then?
Hey There! I’m Lee and I’m a full-time Wedding Photographer around Cheshire, the UK, and once or twice a year, the world. I’ve been on this journey for around 10 years now and with over 400 weddings in my portfolio, I feel that it’s time to share some of the knowledge that got me here. I’ve been lucky enough to learn from and work with some other outstanding wedding photographers whose ideas and skills have been adapted by me, which can be passed on to you.
I first started in the world of photography back in 2003 when back in college. My now-wife, studying fashion design, asked for help photographing models for her clothing designs and I was kind of in the middle of a “what do I do with my life moment”. I found an interest in photography and applied to study an Art Foundation course before being accepted into the BA (Hons) Photography Degree at Manchester Metropolitan University. After graduating in 2007, and again found myself asking “What now?”, I applied to start a teacher training course and prior to being accepted, I started a job in a family portrait studio.
After a few years of family shoots, pets, kids, models, and commercial photography, I was asked to shoot my first wedding in 2010 armed with my trusty Canon 5D and 24-105mm lens. I have to admit when studying I swore off weddings, I wanted to shoot architecture, food, and product photography but after a few weddings, I began to really enjoy them. The moments, emotion, fun, and spontaneity is pretty captivating and of course, job satisfaction was and always will be amazingly rewarding.
“I booked Lee’s wedding mentoring after seeing his photos online and the many positive reviews he gets from his clients. I loved his style and saw that he was offering the chance to learn from him at a real wedding. We had a phone call to go through what I was looking for and how his mentorship works.
Then I spent a day shadowing him at a wedding right from bridal prep through to the dancefloor. He was so helpful in sharing his ways of working, from what he packs, to shooting techniques and how to handle difficult lighting situations, through to editing and delivering galleries and albums. He also gave me guidance on which industry groups to join to help expand my network. No questions were off limits and throughout the day he often checked in to ask how I was finding it and offered more in-depth knowledge during each stage of the event.
After the wedding, I then sent him my photos for feedback and critique. The experience was great and hugely helpful, and Lee is very friendly and personable. I’d recommend this mentorship to anyone starting out in the wedding industry. Thank you, Lee!”
Emma Coubrough Photography
What Can I Offer You?
In today’s bustling wedding photography industry, success hinges on more than just snapping great shots. You need to embody empathy, possess exceptional interpersonal skills, navigate the intricacies of social media, master SEO and content creation, edit photos swiftly and flawlessly, all while balancing the demands of everyday life.
For many photographers, this multifaceted role can feel overwhelming, and finding reliable guidance can be a challenge, regardless of where you are on your journey.
Drawing from over a decade of experience and approximately 50-60 weddings annually, I understand the intricacies of this dynamic field. My clientele spans from satisfied past couples to esteemed wedding venues, bolstered by a strong online presence cultivated over years of dedicated effort.
My mentoring programme is designed to empower you with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the wedding photography landscape. Broken down into six comprehensive modules, it covers every aspect of the craft and business, ensuring you’re equipped to thrive in this competitive industry.
Mentoring Modules
Equipment – £199
Discover the essential gear and lighting setups for capturing every moment of a wedding day with precision and flair. Learn file backup workflows and security practices to safeguard your valuable work.
- A breakdown of what equipment I use and find most important for shooting a wedding day from start to finish.
- Flash and useful lighting setups for different scenarios and parts of the wedding day.
- File backup workflows and security.
Methods – £199
Master the art of effective client management, fast communication, and seamless wedding day planning. Explore editing techniques, fast workflow tips, and strategies for maximizing album and product sales.
- A settings comparison for different scenarios both indoors and out.
- Client management, effective fast communication, and wedding day planning advice.
- Editing methods, programs I utilize along with tips and tricks for a fast workflow.
- Gallery presentation plus tips to bring in album and product sales.
Website (Not just for photographers!) – £199
Transform your website into a powerful tool for attracting clients and showcasing your work. Receive personalized advice on pricing, package structuring, and enhancing user experience through a comprehensive website strip-down and rebuild.
- A full strip-down of your website with suggestions on what to do going forward.
- Advice on pricing and packages.
- A Skype session with shared screens and a walkthrough covering user experience.
Portfolio – £199
Elevate your portfolio to new heights with expert guidance on image selection, editing, and presentation. Identify your unique shooting strengths and learn how to leverage them to captivate potential couples and carve out your niche in the market.
- A general overview of your existing portfolio how it flows and how potential couples may view things.
- Suggestions on how to improve, frame, and edit your images.
- Looking at your shooting strengths and how to play to them, finding your niche.
Social Media (Not just for photographers!) – £199
Harness the power of social media to amplify your online presence and connect with clients and industry professionals. Gain insights into effective posting strategies, audience engagement techniques, and collaborative opportunities.
- Tips and suggestions on how to post with impact across multiple sources at once and why it’s not a popularity contest.
- A good look at your subscribed social media channels and broadcasting history.
- Pointers on how to reach out to other suppliers and venues through social media.
Wedding Day Shadowing – £349
Immerse yourself in the exhilarating world of wedding photography with a full-day shadowing experience. Witness firsthand the nuances of working with natural light and flash, while shooting your own photos under expert guidance. Receive personalized feedback and insights during a post-wedding debrief.
- Join me on a full wedding day from morning preparations to the evening party.
- Shoot your own photos with no responsibility and gain a live insight into how I work with natural light and flash.
- No questions are off-limits and I will provide a commentary on my approach to each part of the day.
- A post-wedding debrief along with a review of your taken photos.
Total Module Cost – £999
For only £999, you’ll have access to my complete mentoring package, encompassing all six modules. From mastering equipment essentials to optimising your website, refining your portfolio, and crafting effective social media strategies, culminating in a live wedding day shadowing experience, this comprehensive programme equips you with the skills and insights to excel in wedding photography.
How Does it work?
Each module typically spans around 2 hours, except for the Wedding Day Shadowing, which extends to a full day of immersive learning. While modules can be conducted via Skype or Facetime, I highly recommend an in-person setting for optimal engagement.
Following or between each module, I offer dedicated catch-up sessions to address any queries or provide further assistance pertaining to the discussed topics. Additionally, if you have specific areas of focus in mind that aren’t covered by the standard modules, feel free to reach out via email. Simply list your requirements, and we can tailor the mentoring experience to suit your needs perfectly.