It might not be for everyone...but for the RIGHT one, this could be the ideal creative career

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If you're new to photography, you've probably heard people say, "Weddings are where the money is."

It's advice tossed around like confetti at a couple on their way to their honeymoon, but let's pause before you grab your gear and run toward the nearest church.

Photography is a beautiful, creative pursuit. And, yes, wedding photography is, in my (admittedly biased) opinion—the most complete, demanding, and rewarding expression of photographic artistry out there.

But aren't there a LOT of other kinds of photography?

Yes, there certainly are! Let's look at some of the other photography specializations:

• Portrait Photography

• Landscape Photography

• Interior and Exterior Photography

• Architectural Photography

• Kids Photography

• Event Photography ("party pics")

• Boudoir Photography

• Still Life Photography

• Live Music Photography

• Sports Photography

• Food Photography

• Commercial Photography

• Wildlife Photography

• Product Photography

• Fashion Photography

• Photojournalism

• And yes, I could probably go on.

So, what makes Wedding Photography so special?

Good question! On any wedding day, you can experience most, if not ALL, of these types of photography.

That's right, Wedding Photographers are the ultimate photographers (I hate the word "generalist," so I'm calling us "ultimate" instead)

As a wedding photographer, you must be nimble, creative, technically astute, empathetic, and quick on the trigger – often under pressure and with zero room for do-overs.

There are very few "fix it in post" moments at a wedding.

I don't say this to scare you, but if you're a little scared, that's OK, too.

You'd be hard-pressed to find any other industry where you have to be great at everything in order to be great at one thing.

And that's just the photography part!

Add in sales, marketing, client management, and customer service, and you'll see why being a great photographer is only the beginning.

The most successful wedding photographers are savvy businesspeople, creative marketers, patient counselors, and calm problem-solvers.

Does this describe you?

Photography is a tremendous creative craft and millions of people consider themselves “photographers” in one form or another. But it’s not just about photography, is it?

For the “right” person, becoming a wedding photographer could be the fulfillment of a dream.

Here's what decades in this business have taught me:

The difference between good, great, and truly world-class wedding photography isn't just technical skill.

What separates the good from the amazing is connecting with your bride – understanding her vision of the wedding day and delivering on your promise to preserve the day for her through your photographic talents.

Brides are not the same, and that's great news for you because that means you have a chance to connect with only those that appreciate your special skills.

Not all wedding vendors have this luxury.

Your work… your photography is NOT a commodity, so don't ever treat it like one.

I've seen brilliant photographers with jaw-dropping portfolios struggle to connect with their couples.

I've also seen photographers with modest technical skills build thriving businesses because they know how to listen, adapt, and serve their couples.

The wedding industry has changed a lot over the years. Couples are savvier, expectations are higher, and competition is fierce.

But the core truth remains: If you love variety, crave a challenge, and want to grow as both an artist and a businessperson, wedding photography is still the most exciting gig in town.

Are you ready to take the leap?

What's holding you back from getting started?

What struggles are you having if you have started?

Weddings are the greatest opportunity for photographers to start a profitable side hustle and then scale up to a full-time income.

Look at any of the other disciplines above and see if that's true for them. It's not, so save yourself the scroll.

You can be a successful wedding photographer…IF you want to be one.

And the good news – You don’t have to do this on your own.

There are people willing to help you get started (psst, I’m one, btw)

Knowing the value of your photographic talents is one of the little parts of the "inner game of wedding photography." THIS is what I write about each week in this newsletter.

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Questions? Shoot me an email at [email protected]