Being in the wedding photography industry is one of the coolest and most rewarding professions anyone can have. Wedding photographers are taking pictures of the extraordinary social event that is the bringing together of two people in love. It is being a part of a day that the couple will remember for the rest of their lives. It is capturing and creating work that will become part of their family’s heritage and will be passed down through generations. It is truly a privilege to be a part of this industry.
It is also a huge responsibility and not as glamorous as the couple, or any person for that matter may think. Only a small percentage of the work that a wedding photographer does is going to the ceremony and taking photos. There is editing all of the photos, filing the taxes, managing the finances, emailing all of the clients, and so on.
So it is time to be honest. What is it like to be a wedding photographer? What are the advantages and the downsides of being in this industry? What should people know about the work wedding photographers do? Well… we’re going to tell you (almost) everything. The good and the bad.
This career is never boring.
This career path is all about adapting to different circumstances, personalities and situations. So it is highly unlikely that a photographer can establish a boring routine. No two weddings are the same and it is super cool getting to experience a whole new event every time. Plus, this career allows the photographer to express their own style of creativity and constantly expand on their skill sets.
People can be great… or not so great.
Photographers get to capture couples and their families at some of their happiest moments in time. Being a wedding photographer also means meeting and working with families and people from all different backgrounds and personas. That definitely has its advantages. Other times not so much. Most wedding photographers can spot from a mile away (or through their lens) who some of the difficult wedding guests are or will be. Those guests are the ones whipping out their iPads and SLR cameras to take pictures or leaning into the aisle to get a better view or kids running around. All of which can prevent the photographer from getting ideal shots.
Photographing is physically inducing.
Little do most people know how physically exhausting it can be to be a wedding photographer. From lugging large pieces of equipment to having a backpack filled with lenses and lighting to having to run back and forth to capture the different moments, this business really forces the photographer to be in the best shape they can be in. And there is no avoiding the soreness the morning after the wedding.
It is a high-pressure job.
Couples want their day to be perfect and the photographer wants nothing but to meet and exceed those expectations. However, capturing those flawless photos and pleasing the clients are only portions of the battles that the photographer has to attack. There is running the business that is a wedding video and photography studio, the cost of all of the cameras and the gear that comes with them, persevering through any sickness, working through the early morning and late nights and the weight that comes with being responsible for capturing every moment throughout the wedding. It is a lot to attack but at the end of the (very long) day, it is 100% worth it.
Surrounded by happiness.
One of the happiest moments in a person’s life is the day of their wedding and it is very wonderful to be a part of their special day. The great thing about being involved in the wedding photography industry is capturing the emotions, the love, and the excitement of the day. Nowadays weddings are extravagant and the festivities that come with them are so exciting and the photographer gets to capture and preserve those memories for the couple and their families. Plus when the couple and the guests are happy, the photographers are happy.
The decorations come down, the flowers wither, the cake gets eaten but the photographs and the memories written in those photographs stay permanent. Wedding photographers have the capability of altering the abilities of time and emotions by holding them still. That is why being a part of the business has so many rewards. And those rewards overpower any of the hurdles that come with the industry.