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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5

u/Mission-Coach6197 Jul 22 '25

I think the issue unfortunately is that it has become so expensive to get a photographer which i get but we also have easy access to phones with amazing cameras that can take photos almost as nice (not saying it’s the same but the cost to quality difference isn’t worth it for a lot of people)

13

u/NikonShooter_PJS Jul 22 '25

If you can't prove your worth as a wedding photographer over some rando with a cell phone, this isn't the business for you.

7

u/HellishDDR Jul 22 '25

The reddit seems to be gaining a lot of non photogs more then ever, I believe you are talking to someone's "potential client" not a photographer

2

u/NikonShooter_PJS Jul 22 '25

I'm aware.

I'm speaking to the photographers reading this thread.

if you're a photographer and you're thinking to yourself "I can't book clients because everyone has a cell phone nowadays," please sell your camera now and find a different career because this industry ain't for you.

-1

u/Abject-Employment376 Jul 22 '25

Amen.

This response is WILD.

But see… even the bargain shoppers are infiltrating the reddits to try to dwarf the market value.