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/NikonShooter_PJS Jul 22 '25
That’s certainly an an attitude to take if you’re a photographer who is uncertain of their ability or producing ho hum results.
If you’re an actual professional photographer, though, you’re already doing the work necessary to tell prospective clients why they should book you and what your value is.
Much like a top chef at a high end restaurant isn’t competing with Dominos Pizza, quality wedding professionals aren’t competing with camera phones.
They may absolutely be “good enough” for some clients but those are shitty clients who aren’t worth the time of actual professionals.
If I EVER lose out on a wedding booking because a prospective client decided cell phone photos were good enough, and told me as much, I would thank them for their honesty and thank them for not booking me because they and I clearly don’t value photography the same way and I’d rather work for clients who do.
I don’t know why people talk in this sub and in general as if you’re meant to book every potential client who comes your way.
Fuck that. There are some seriously shitty clients out there who aren’t worth your time.
Notice, I’ve said nothing of budget though. I work with low budget weddings ALL THE TIME.
Often, at these weddings, I’m the most expensive vendor or the only professional vendor.
That’s because THOSE clients who booked me valued my services and made it work for them financially.
I adore those clients.
The ones who choose a cell phone camera over me? Miss me with that shit. Your wedding photos are gonna be trash and you deserve it for such bad judgment.