Wedding and event photographer
Capture weddings, parties and corporate events, starting as a second shooter to build your portfolio.
- C$3k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
Photographing weddings, engagement shoots, birthdays and corporate events, then editing and delivering a gallery. Many people start by second shooting for an established photographer.
Your first three steps
- Offer to second shoot for a local wedding photographer to learn the flow of a wedding day
- Buy or rent two camera bodies, a couple of lenses, a flash and backup memory cards
- Put together a package and contract, then list with local venues and wedding planners
Who pays
Engaged couples, families planning celebrations, and companies or organizations hosting events.
How it makes money
Packages priced by hours of coverage and deliverables, often with a deposit to secure the date. Add-ons include albums, prints and engagement sessions.
Skills that help
- Reliable with camera gear in low light
- Staying calm under pressure
- Photo editing and file management
- Clear communication with clients
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability insurance, since many venues ask for proof of cover
- Equipment failure on the day, so carry backups and insure your gear
- A written contract covering deposits, cancellations and image delivery
- Wedding season is busy in summer and early fall and quiet in winter, so plan your cash flow
- Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold
- Some venues and churches have rules on photographers, so check ahead
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: wedding and event photographer
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a wedding photography business in Canada?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $10,000, depending on your camera gear, backups, editing tools and insurance. Equipment failure on the day is a risk, so carrying backups and insuring your gear is worth planning for.
How much can a wedding and event photographer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many weddings and events you book. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week. Summer and early fall are busy and winter is quiet, so plan cash flow.
What rules and insurance should I check before shooting weddings?
Check commercial general liability insurance, since many venues ask for proof of cover. Also check venue and church rules for photographers, use a written contract covering deposits, cancellations and image delivery, and check GST/HST registration once past the small supplier threshold.
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