5 Reasons To Be Thankful As A Wedding Photographer

Author: ShootDotEdit

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Giving thanks or being thankful – this is no longer just a Thanksgiving tradition. With so much going on in our daily lives and the world around us, being grateful for even the smallest victories is what can get you through a tough day. There might be days when you want to quit, days when you can’t seem to catch a breath. You might have to face difficult clients (or their parents), go through 12-hour workdays, or you might be having a tough time closing deals, but it’s important to remember that just like everything else in life, even the challenging times will pass. And that right there is something to be thankful about. When you can’t find the silver lining, remember why you started and all the hard work you put in to get to the point you are at. If that doesn’t help and you feel like you’ve had enough, here are 5 reasons why you could consider your job as a wedding photographer a blessing!

What’s Awesome About Being a Wedding Photographer

1. The Storytelling

Infographic stating find something to be thankful for

You are not just a person with a fancy camera. As a wedding photographer, you are a visual storyteller. And you don’t just tell any story – you tell stories about people’s lives and journeys together. You are responsible for photographing one of the biggest days in people’s lives, and besides that, the trust that people put in you has got to be something you can be thankful for. It’s also something that you should be proud of. Bringing value to people’s lives through your photographs and giving them the chance to relive their special day, even years down the line, is something only you can do. And it’s certainly not an easy job. Giving people memories that they can cherish forever is an incredible gift, so this Thanksgiving, be thankful for your ability to create magical stories.

2. Learning To Work With Difficult Situations + People

Infographic stating be thankful for handling challenging situations and difficult clients like a pro

As a wedding photographer, you also learn to work in all kinds of places and with all sorts of people. You may sometimes photograph in the most magnificent wedding venues with the most sublime natural and ambient lighting, and sometimes, you might find yourself restricted by the photography rules in churches or documenting a ceremony in a small and dark venue. But even then, you handle it like a pro (literally!).

When it comes to people, you might meet the sweetest and warmest couples, but sometimes, you might meet couples with impractical expectations or demands. Still, you learn how to manage those clients and ensure that they get a wedding photography experience they remember for years to come. Dealing with challenging situations without losing your cool and still giving your clients the best experience? We would say both of these skills are definitely something to be thankful for.

3. Meeting People From Different Cultures

A portrait of a bride putting on her earrings — Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @iqphoto

Yes, your clients are also a reason to be thankful for the job that you have. Sometimes, you might have to handle demanding clients, but sometimes, you might meet the most amazing people – all thanks to your job. We are talking about clients you form personal relationships with, clients who refer you to their families and friends, and clients who return to you for family shoots. Not everyone can say that about their jobs. Moreover, you also get to meet people from different countries and cultures and get a close glimpse of different traditions too. That’s got to count for something, right?

4. Being A Part-Time Explorer

Through the window shot of a silhouette of a bride and groom kissing with reflection of lights on the window pane — Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @jperrymanphotography

Your job as a wedding photographer takes you places – quite literally. From tropical paradises to winter wonderlands, photographing your clients’ engagements and weddings takes you to some breathtaking places. And while the prep for traveling with your gear over long distances might not be your favorite part about the job, the final destination is certainly something to be thankful for. Whether it’s photographing at dreamy venues or getting to check off countries from your travel bucket list, there’s something special about having a job that lets you achieve your professional and personal goals at the same time.

5. Being A Creative And A Business Owner

A bride standing in front of a dark doorway with a lit lamp at the top — Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @erinm_photography

Whether you consider yourself a businessperson first and a creative second or the other way around, the fact is that being a wedding photographer allows you to be both a creative and a business owner. With the right business strategies, you get to hone your creativity and your business skills while also maintaining that much sought-after work-life balance. There are plenty of wedding photographers around the world who’ve been able to strike the right balance using software like HoneyBook, Fundy Designer, Sprout Studio, etc. The key lies in knowing where your time is best spent and focusing on those areas. Plus, as a wedding photographer, you are constantly learning – whether it’s new shooting techniques or marketing and communication strategies – there’s always going to be something you can add to your toolbox. And while we don’t know about you, continuous learning and improvement certainly have their place in the list of things we are thankful for.

Be Thankful For The Journey

Infographic stating look back at the progress you’ve made and be thankful for committing to your craft

These are just five of the many, many reasons why being a wedding photographer is something to be thankful for. We are not saying that all your workdays are going to be filled with sunshine and rainbows, but there will undoubtedly be days when your job makes you feel alive and grateful. Constant learning, meeting new people, making lifelong friendships, learning to work in different conditions, crisis management – there’s so much you gain as you progress through your journey as a wedding photographer. This Thanksgiving and the ones that come after, be thankful for your ability to make an impact on people’s lives and for giving them memorable moments from one of the most important days of their lives.

Further Read: Wedding Photography Burnout: Signs, Prevention, & Recovery

At ShootDotEdit, we are grateful for wedding photographers and all the magic that you create. We are also passionate about helping you take your wedding photography business to the next level and reducing your post-production workload by taking editing off your plate with our professional photo editing services. To learn more, check out our pricing plans.

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