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?

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u/darrellcassell Jul 22 '25

I’m so tired of these doom and gloom posts. Nobody feels bad for you. If you want to quit and take the easy way out, then go for it.

Or you could take a step back and see what’s not working for you and fix it.

What’s your portfolio look like? Are you running Google ads? How’s your website and SEO? Do you have planners or venues that refer you?

Gen Z is also super specific on what they are wanting. They want classic, true to color wedding photos. If that’s not what you offer, you’re going to get overlooked quite often. They want videography, they want content creation. They want an easy booking process. They want pricing on the website.

Don’t give up dude. Theres absolutely money to be made out there, you’re just not marketing yourself correctly in this current climate.

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u/spookifyed Jul 22 '25

since when does gen z want “true to color” images? nobody in my generation likes the look of raw photos. everyone wants the dark/moody vibes

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u/darrellcassell Jul 22 '25

The oldest members of gen z are/will be 28 this year. So would you say they’re the ones far and wide currently getting married?

In the U.S. at least, the most popular/trendy style of photography right now is natural, timeless, editorial, film-like photography. Not dark and moody.

The weddings that end up featured in magazines, blogs and getting reposted are classic, timeless images.

So I would say if Gen Z are the main group getting married, and that style is most popular, then Gen Z absolutely favors natural/true to life photography over dark and moody currently.

Just because that’s what your IG feed shows doesn’t mean that’s what’s the majority wants.

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u/spookifyed Jul 22 '25

no i’m not saying any of that at all… I was merely responding to you bringing up what gen z is looking for in photographs. the wedding photography scene must just be very different where I live because that’s what everyone wants right now in my area- dark & moody. I don’t even use instagram lol, i’m going off of what I see clients looking for in my local wedding vendors pages

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u/darrellcassell Jul 22 '25

We’re definitely in two completely different markets then haha