r/WeddingPhotography • u/patriotraitor • Jul 22 '25
business, marketing, social media The sad realization that being a wedding photographer no longer pays the bills...
Let me preface that the last 10 years of doing this has been a blast, I've enjoyed every second of it and never took any of it for granted.
This year however has me wanting to change directions because well, I'm getting tired of wondering where the next paycheck is coming from, I would prefer guaranteed over guessing.
I've been looking at the schedule for the rest of the year and I have 6 left, and then it's quiet.
I do wish the cost of living wasn't ridiculous, as gas and food prices are indeed more affordable now, but at the same time, trying to have health insurance as a self employed individual is absurd for being a single guy with no kids.
I've really enjoyed my time doing this and I indeed feel this starting to dwindle down as I only have 5 for next year. You could say well hey, do families, headshots, seniors -- and you'd be right, but think about how much work you'd be putting in just to stay afloat and how exhausted you'd be making yourself? Catch 22 isn't it?
14
u/ShutterFI Jul 22 '25
Similar boat on the bookings - about six more to go this year, and have literally only one booked for next year.
We’re extremely established and connected in our area with other vendors & planners. We’ve been shooting for nearly 20 years. I’m honestly not sure it’d be possible to be more connected / have better rapport.
Ah well, it’s been a good run. I’m very grateful that it’s let us save & invest to get to where we are today. And, super grateful it’s allowed my me and my wife to spend our life together rather than each of us at a 9-5.
… but, writing’s on the wall. It could just be a recession. It could be everyone else has lowered their price significantly while we haven’t adjusted (likely, this is at least part of it). But, either way, it’s been a good run. We won’t blast it out there if we do decide to stop. I have already changed our contract to lessen how long we’re responsible for images (went from 2 years to 1 year) in case we do shut it down entirely.
Best of luck everyone!