My First(and only) Wedding
A couple years back when I started doing photography, I didn't have a niche. I was testing the waters with everything. I wasn't that good and had so much to learn(still do). My cousin was getting married and knew I started doing photography so she asked me if I could be her photographer. I was very nervous but I figured who better to get my first experience with than with family. I would know the couple and most of the guest. I was going to do it for free but decided I needed to make a little money because I would be buying some things I needed to be able to do a wedding, I lived in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and they were about an hour and a half drive from me and I wasn't making much money as a photographer. They were more than happy to pay what I said I'd do it for. The wedding went smooth. I edited and delivered the photos and they loved them. Happy customer, but not happy photographer.
Do What Makes You Happy, Not What Makes You Rich
I didn't enjoy the process the same way I enjoy doing product photos or a regular portrait session. I didn't enjoy running around, having to be super alert for hours, the pressure and anxiety of trying not to miss special moments. I didn't enjoy going through hundreds of photos and picking out the good ones and editing them. I gained so much respect for wedding photographers that day. I contemplated for a long time whether or not I should keep doing more weddings. I knew wedding photographers making $3K-$6K per wedding and doing just 12 weddings a year would make me more than my day job made me. I thought, I don't enjoy my full-time job but I still do it because it pays the bills, so why not put up with wedding photography if its going to pay good? The answer came to me after some time. Inner peace. Why do we want to get away from 9-5 jobs and be our own bosses? There's many reasons but one that most of us have in common is inner peace. We want to do work that makes us happy. We want to enjoy the process and work. We don't want to wake up that morning and lay in bed thinking, "Ugh I have to do this today." and to me that's more important than money.
A Disservice To The Couple
Imagine you're getting married(or maybe you actually have). Imagine how special this day is. Imagine all the work that went into making this day perfect. Imagine how much money you have spent on everything, including how much you're paying for the photographer. Now imagine that this photographer doesn't even want to be there. He/She is just grumpy or bossy or faking smiles but not giving off positive energy. You're extremely happy for your special day and they are walking around like they got called in on their day off. If you are a wedding photographer who loves their job or you hired an amazing photographer for your wedding who went above and beyond and their excitement for you radiated off of them then you'll agree that having a photographer who loves what they do makes a big difference in the overall experience and final outcome. If I don't enjoy doing weddings then I don't deserve to charge anyone north of $2,000 for an experience and photos they wont absolutely love. People want their photographer to be part of the experience. They want their photographer to have fun with them. When you really love the job and you are excited to give the couple photos that will bring tears to their eyes then you will give 200% on the wedding day. If you're just in it for the money but don't want to be there, you will perform below 100% and that isn't fair to a couple who is spending a lot of hard earned money on your service.
Maybe Its Time To Change Your Niche
There are so many options for photographers to make a lot of money. None are easy but you can find your place in an industry that really brings you joy. I suggest you keep experimenting with different genres and see what really makes you happy. You don't have to settle with one either. Many successful photographers do different types of photography. Making money is important but it isn't the only reason to do photography or run your own business. I hope this helps somebody find their true happiness and answers some peoples questions about why I don't offer to photograph weddings.
