So its June and things have already started going heavy for the wedding season. While I try to only photograph about 20 weddings a year I know there are many that do less and many that do allot more. So regardless how many weddings you shoot how can you keep from getting “burned out”? I ask this to many new photographers. Most say ” I love being a wedding photographer sooooo much I could never get burned out”. Well, what happens when that fun weekend hobby becomes a way you have to pay bills and feed your family. How about when only a very small percentage of your is day is taking photos. I promise you will feel stressed and burned out at some point.
Strive to be a better wedding photographer
I personally love photography. I earned my first paycheck at 16 years old and never looked back. So how have I kept myself going? I always push my photography to be better than the last time. I am constantly studying other work and new styles. I have always looked up to Joe Buissink and Aaron Delesie, and more recently a friend turned me on to Clif Mautner and Jerry Ghionis.
Take a breath during the wedding day and look around. The idea is to control stress. Notice I said not to get rid of the stress. Weddings are meant to be captured and not created. With a little uncertainty comes a little stress. Learn how to control your emotions and be the calming force for a bride and groom. I sometimes will just take a moment to look around and just relax.
What all my clients know about me is I shoot both weddings and commercial accounts. I love doing this and hated the day that is was frowned upon. I have no problem telling commercial clients I also shoot weddings. Commercial accounts have such a wide challenge of lighting, location and subjects it really keeps me on my toes. For you, commercial may not be your thing. But for a wedding photographer pickup food, a product anything that is not alive. Try something different and force yourself to learn a whole new way to shoot.
So what’s the goal here? Keep yourself loving photography tomorrow as the first day you finally got paid doing what you love.
Keep checking back at my blog. Look for more wedding photographers’ tips and inspiration over the next few months.
