From teen to pro: How Adam started wedding photography at 14.
When Adam first started out as a wedding photographer, he was just a teenager with a love for cameras and editing software.
He never imagined it would turn into a full-fledged business, let alone a career that would take him all over the world. Today, he’s 24, and has been in the wedding photography industry for a decade.
Looking back, it’s crazy to think his my journey began when he was only 14 years old.
How It All Began (from Adam’s perspective)
It all started with my dad’s job. He had access to some high-quality camera gear, but didn’t really know much about photography himself. I, on the other hand, was the "nerdy" kid always tinkering with technology. By 11 or 12, I was already getting into Photoshop and dabbling with basic photo editing. Around 13, I started using my dad’s cameras, just playing around and getting a feel for what they could do. I fell in love with the creative possibilities.
At first, I was capturing things like ducks and geese at a local pond. Slowly, I started getting the hang of manual mode, and there was something incredibly rewarding about capturing great photos and understanding the technical side of things.
Eventually, I realized that I was serious about photography and needed my own gear. So, I saved up every penny I could from birthdays and Christmas money, and eventually bought my first DSLR camera—a Nikon D80. The 50mm 1.8 was my first lens, which I still use to this day.
From Hobby to First Paid Job
While I was still a teenager, I began photographing local sports events—mainly hockey and baseball games for my brother. The more I did it, the more I realized that people would pay for this kind of work. My first paid gig came from a family friend’s wedding. By then, I had been shadowing a local photographer, Ryan Far, during some events. He let me tag along on his shoots, giving me the chance to learn firsthand how wedding photography worked.
It was through these experiences that I truly understood the potential of wedding photography. I realized it wasn’t just a fun hobby, it was a legitimate business that could support me full-time. The idea of being a photographer and running my own business was incredibly appealing. I decided I wanted to pursue this professionally, and started by building a website.
The Leap: My First Wedding Booking
To get my first real gig, I used photos from that family friend’s wedding as part of my portfolio. I wasn’t technically the main photographer for that event, but I had taken enough shots to create a solid portfolio. I also ran a Facebook ads for $15—targeted to recently engaged couples. To my surprise, it worked, and I booked my first wedding for about $1400!
It’s funny looking back now—there I was, a 14-year-old kid, advertising myself as a wedding photographer with only a handful of photos and no real experience. But I was transparent with my clients. I made sure they knew I was new to the industry and that I was learning as I went.
Building Momentum: Second Shooting & Gaining Experience
After that first wedding, I kept working hard to build my portfolio. One of the best things I did was offer to second shoot for other photographers. This allowed me to build my skills, learn the ropes of the business, and get experience without the pressure of being the lead photographer.
Second shooting is something I always recommend to photographers starting out. It’s crucial for building confidence and learning the ins and outs of shooting weddings in different settings. I worked for a few photographers in my London and even started shooting larger weddings in downtown Toronto. It gave me the chance to figure out what kind of weddings and clients I wanted to work with—and what kind I didn’t.
Marketing and Growing My Business
As I began shooting more weddings, referrals started coming in, but the majority of my business growth in the early years came from Facebook ads. At the time, Facebook allowed me to target newly engaged couples for a very low cost, and $15 would often result in thousands of dollars worth of bookings. It was a perfect way to build my brand on a small budget.
Facebook ads were definitely my bread and butter in those first couple of years. While referrals were growing, it was still a slow process, and marketing on a platform like Facebook was an efficient way to get my name out there.
Key Lessons Learned: What I Would Tell My Younger Self
Looking back, there are a few key pieces of advice I’d give to my younger self, or anyone starting in wedding photography today:
Don’t Sweat the Gear: I see so many photographers stressing over having the best camera gear. The truth is, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on the latest gear to get started. When I first started, I shot with an entry-level DSLR and a $100 lens—and that was enough to get me paid work. Today, with even more affordable gear on the market (and phones capable of amazing photography), there’s no excuse not to start. The most important thing is to get out there and shoot, not to have the best equipment.
Be Proactive: One of the biggest things that helped me early on was being proactive. I reached out to photographers I admired, built a list of local wedding pros, and emailed them all. Some ignored me, but many responded, and eventually, I was able to second shoot for some incredible professionals. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you—go out and create them.
Have a Plan: This sounds cliché, but without a plan, you won’t get very far. Whether you’re aiming to shoot your first wedding or scale your business to full-time, setting clear goals and breaking them down into actionable steps is key. When I first started, I was focused on landing a certain number of weddings, which kept me motivated. Without that focus, I could have easily gotten lost.
Network and Promote Yourself: Wedding photography is one of those businesses where word of mouth can only take you so far—especially when you’re starting out. It’s crucial to let everyone know that you're a wedding photographer. I made sure that even a five-minute conversation at the coffee shop turned into an opportunity to share my passion for weddings and photography. It’s about creating connections and being visible.
Learn from Experience: Second shooting, taking on smaller gigs, and working for free are all part of the process. You need that experience to build your portfolio and refine your skills. The more weddings you shoot (even if it’s for free at first), the faster you'll improve.
Looking Ahead: What's Next for Me?
Now that I’m 24 and have been in the wedding photography business for a decade, I’m looking to take things to the next level. While I still love shooting weddings locally, I’m focusing more on destination weddings. Over the next few years, I want to spend more time traveling for weddings and exploring different cultures and wedding traditions.
I also see myself diving deeper into educational content, potentially starting a YouTube channel where I can share tips, experiences, and advice for other photographers starting out. It’s been a long journey, but I’m still as excited about weddings today as I was when I shot my first one.
Wedding photography has been an incredible ride, and I’m not planning to stop anytime soon. For any photographers just starting out—don’t be afraid to take risks, work hard, and most importantly, keep learning and growing.
Here's to the next 10 years!