How Do I Reignite My Passion For Wedding Photography?
DEAR DEVLIN…
Rediscovering the Joy in Your Photography
“I’ve been photographing weddings since 1990 I’m 51 now, and have been doing it all my life, since the pandemic I’ve just lost all enthusiasm also brides and grooms are just so demanding these days. I used to absolutely love doing weddings, but now I just find it a chore and find myself passing on bookings because I just feel the couples are just too demanding and bridezilla.
People use to be just so easy going back in the day and I loved it and would even go above and beyond for my couples but now I just hate it.
I just wish I could get some kind of passion back, I used to take my camera with me everywhere but it rarely comes out the bag these days.”
How to cope with BURNOUT as a creative
Firstly, let me acknowledge the weight of your experience in the wedding photography arena since 1990.
You’ve witnessed many shifts in the industry, from film to digital, and now the impact of AI. It’s understandable that the recent challenges, compounded by the demands of the pandemic era, might have contributed to your current state of mind.
You’ve not asked me a specific question but I’m guessing that you are wondering if I can help you to decide on what step to take next. Do you make an exit plan or work on regaining the passion you once had for this career?
The burnout you’re feeling is a common plight among seasoned creatives – we have another of these Dear Devlin posts with strategies to help cope with creative burnout.
IDEAS TO HELP YOU
1. Reflect on Your Career:
I suggest doing a business audit and reflecting on the time you’ve had in the industry up to this point. What previously ignited your passion? What aspects of wedding photography brought you the most satisfaction? I always advocate returning to your beginning to help reconnect with your creative catalysts.
2. Set Clear Goals:
This is the time to dig deep into your goals and what it is you want to work towards. If you do ‘hate it’ then maybe it’s time to look elsewhere for ways to earn an income. This doesn’t have to mean giving up photography – other genres can generate a decent income. However, if you do decide that you want to stick with weddings then this is an opportunity to redefine what that looks like for you.
Have you thought about tapping more into the elopement market? Post-pandemic many couples are deciding to do away with all the fuss and expense of a wedding and they are instead looking for intimate experiences without the guests. These are not always in impressive landscapes, they are happening in your local area and your nearest town hall. I’ve found that couples will invest financially and emotionally in photography for their elopement and it means working without the most stressful parts of weddings, like group photos,
3. Personal Projects:
In this age of social media, it can feel like everyone else is killing it and you’ve forgotten why you even started. Rekindle your passion by engaging in personal photography projects. This can be a liberating and fulfilling way to express your creativity that helps you to reconnect with the reasons why you started photography in the first place and those feelings of excitement when you were first mastering the craft.
COLLABORATE WITH LIKEMINDED PROFESSIONALS
to rediscover the joy in your photography career
How do you feel about your portfolio? Do you love the images and feel proud of them? Are they aligned with what you want to photograph more? If not then this is an ideal time to connect with some other wedding suppliers and create some work that aims to show what you are most passionate about.
This also generates an opportunity to produce images without a client involved which again can help you reconnect with your craft. A realignment in your work can also trigger a realignment in who you attract.
5. Network with Other Photographers:
Aim to regularly spend time with other photographers at all stages of their careers. You will have wisdom to pass on and newer photographers can have industry insights that you will find valuable. It’s weirdly good for your own inspiration to actively aim to inspire others.
6. Attend Workshops/Events:
Participate in workshops or events that inspire and educate. Sometimes, learning a new technique or gaining insights from fellow professionals can reignite your enthusiasm or just being around other photographers can help. I love learning from newer photographers and hearing more about their perspectives on the industry.
7. Shout About Your Experience Level:
The average time in this career is short, so you have a huge asset that not many others do – longevity. Your level of experience is rare in the industry and you should be shouting about it in your messaging.
When I’ve worked with photographers who have been around long term in my mentoring programme, they often talk about trying to compete with newer photographers who perform well on social media. They find the thought of it exhausting because they do not have the passion for social media that younger photographers might have. But there are plenty of other ways to market your photography these days.
8. Get a New Camera:
There is nothing quite like having a new camera to play with to get you thinking about your work again and feeling excited. It doesn’t have to be the latest all-singing, all-dancing thing, my last purchase was a little £100 Olympus XA – a tiny film rangefinder from the early 80s.
Remember, it’s normal for passions to ebb and flow over a long and successful career.
Taking intentional steps to rediscover the joy in your photography can breathe new life into your work. One of my favourite photographers is John Dolan – he has also been shooting weddings since the 1990s and is hugely inspirational.
Finally, I’d say this – trying to keep up with newer photographers can feel like constantly battling to be something that you are not. Instead, lean in to what you are – a seasoned, highly experienced pro. Highlight that instead of putting a lot of energy into competing with younger photographers. You haven’t got what they have but they very much do not have what you do. This should attract clients who value experience and bring a realignment for you.
CAN I HELP WITH YOUR
PROBLEM?
Drop me a note with any industry issue that you might have and I will do my best to offer up some advice.
After a couple of decades as a wedding photographer, the chances are high that I will have some experience that might be relevant or have some insight into what your best course of action could be
The process is 100% anonymous, so feel free to share whatever is on your mind currently and know that this is a safe place.
