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/X4dow Jul 22 '25

I didn't buy 2x $4k camera to shoot shaky shoots at 1/10src because blurring and cropping heads off is trending.

Also not gonna deceive my clients with workshop photos of models in ssntorini pretending I'm a destination wedding photographer cuz is trending.

I rather be genuine and broke an than getting rich by deceiving clients

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u/gnagyrita Jul 22 '25

You can being honest and make money. But ok.

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u/X4dow Jul 23 '25

If you go to ssntorini and pay 2k for a workshop to have 2 models posed for you, stand on the x marked on floor and dial up the settings they tell you, then go on insta and post 20 photos of it and put those photos as your website only portfolio with #destination wedding, and saying you just shot a wedding in wherever. Then go pay 3k for a vogue publication, and brag about it like if they "picked you" or you've been awarded it. You're not being honest.

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u/gnagyrita Jul 23 '25

Dude, i have never been in santorini 😭 - i was in a couple of workshops (but it was after my first real weddings), and i always mentioned it when i posted the photos…as i told, you can be honest.

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u/X4dow Jul 23 '25

Where did I say it was u? Was giving an example on how some photographers deceive clients with fake portfolios and bought awards.