INCREDIBLE video. I worked a full time office job for 3.5 years while building up my weddings, fortunately I'm making way more doing weddings full time than I did at my office job and love the freedom. But I was definitely in that lazy/complacent phase for at least 1-2 years where I could've been actively pushing my photo business much faster, it's an easy trap to fall into. If anyone out there is working a job and trying to build up their wedding photo business, I'd highly suggest that you seriously focus on the quality and overall service of each job you are lucky enough to book. Building that workflow/work ethic and relationships with your couples and other vendors will pay off big time down the line
I needed to hear this. I foolishly took the leap and thought I was ready in 2020 after I was laid off. I ended up back in a full time Corporate job in January. I hate it here. I’m miserable. I have 16 weddings scheduled this year and I’m working 7 days a week. I can’t leave until I pay off the debt I accumulated while trying to grow my business. When I leave this time I want to be prepared.
This struck a nerve. I spent 15 years making a living behind a camera then lost everything. I KNOW what I'm missing. Now I have no camera, a wife and two kids and am drowning in the worst day job I've ever had in my life and wonder if I can even make it one more day. Words can't describe how bad it is. But to not have a camera anymore is like losing my identity. I am so desperate to get back and your video was MUCH more helpful than I imagined. Thank you for great content.
I’ve had to learn a lot this year about my business structure. My photography business is my side hustle that allows me to pursue my passion of photography while providing some extra income. I also work full-time for a missions organization which I’m also passionate about. Trying to balance the two is difficult at times but it’s also a blessing to have two jobs that I am passionate about!
I definitely feel deep in my soul that I was meant to do something else with my life. My struggle is my confidence and not believing in myself. I can't seem to build up enough momentum to start considering doing photography full time, mostly for financial reasons. This is what I am trying to work on.
I have been devouring your videos. After 12.5 years as a professional photographer, I've been a full-time entrepreneur for the last couple of years, and do design work, in addition to photography. But I am not satisfied with where I'm at success-wise. I'm not doing all that I want to do...YET! Ready to up my game in 2023! For me, I have a need to be creative and pick the analytical part of my brain-- both of which I've found in photography. The biggest thing I want to work on this year is creating better processes and structures for my business, something I think you excel at, Katelyn! Learning, organizing and implementing! :) Starting with getting my 12.5 year of photos better organized!
Great advice. I've recently went part-time at my former full-time job. I've had more time to dedicate to my photography business. It's amazing how much more business I'm getting now that I have more time. I'm planning on transitioning to doing photography full time after October.
Katelyn, thanks for this very informative video, you make some very good points here. I'm in that boat of it being my side hustle, and you're spot on with treating it like real income and having the mindset of it being your only income instead of just side hustle money or extra; I've learned the hard way that with that mindset, you start forming some bad business habits that won't bode well if or when you go fulltime. Good substance, thanks again for sharing your knowledge!
I work as an furniture engineer, and I am good at it. I build stuff on a computer in 3D before it is actually made. I really like to take photos, but more in an artistic way. I'm not sure how that will pay the bills. I really had a passion to learn what I now do, but I want to move on, with more freedom. I could do weddings maybe, but I don't feel passionate about weddings, so it would become just another job, probably. I could be wrong, and I have been before. You are correct about photography as I heard it in another video you produced. It isn't so much the equipment you own, but knowing how to get the most out of the equipment you have, so I am heavily invested in photography lessons. I have a 90D and some excellent L glass. I am leaning more toward a 5D MK iv since I have the glass, and I don't do video. It is excellent for photos. I have tried the R6 Mk II, but I might wait a year or so to see what transpires. I am not cheap, but I like getting bang for the buck, and good value.
Random question. What kind of camera do you use for filming? The quality of your videos are amazing. Thank you for sound and wise advice. Great content as always!
What would you tell a beginner photographer to do/ buy. After getting the photos back from my sisters wedding it is really sparked an interest in photography for me. The pictures were beautiful and I’d really like to dive into that but I’m at Ground Zero and I am searching for help where I’m at I’ve been through most of your videos but, I can’t seem to find the beginners beginners guide Lol any tips would be appreciated. Thank you for all your hard work.:)
Who wants to live below there means? I know your coming for a good place be just say that 3 times live Below My means. Spoil your self enjoy it you only live here on earth one time.
INCREDIBLE video. I worked a full time office job for 3.5 years while building up my weddings, fortunately I'm making way more doing weddings full time than I did at my office job and love the freedom. But I was definitely in that lazy/complacent phase for at least 1-2 years where I could've been actively pushing my photo business much faster, it's an easy trap to fall into. If anyone out there is working a job and trying to build up their wedding photo business, I'd highly suggest that you seriously focus on the quality and overall service of each job you are lucky enough to book. Building that workflow/work ethic and relationships with your couples and other vendors will pay off big time down the line
thanks for the motivation! I am still in that building phase and trying build my portfolio.
Great advice! Much appreciated ❤
I needed to hear this. I foolishly took the leap and thought I was ready in 2020 after I was laid off. I ended up back in a full time Corporate job in January. I hate it here. I’m miserable. I have 16 weddings scheduled this year and I’m working 7 days a week. I can’t leave until I pay off the debt I accumulated while trying to grow my business. When I leave this time I want to be prepared.
Thanks for watching!
This struck a nerve. I spent 15 years making a living behind a camera then lost everything. I KNOW what I'm missing. Now I have no camera, a wife and two kids and am drowning in the worst day job I've ever had in my life and wonder if I can even make it one more day. Words can't describe how bad it is. But to not have a camera anymore is like losing my identity. I am so desperate to get back and your video was MUCH more helpful than I imagined. Thank you for great content.
I’ve had to learn a lot this year about my business structure. My photography business is my side hustle that allows me to pursue my passion of photography while providing some extra income. I also work full-time for a missions organization which I’m also passionate about.
Trying to balance the two is difficult at times but it’s also a blessing to have two jobs that I am passionate about!
I definitely feel deep in my soul that I was meant to do something else with my life. My struggle is my confidence and not believing in myself. I can't seem to build up enough momentum to start considering doing photography full time, mostly for financial reasons. This is what I am trying to work on.
I have been devouring your videos. After 12.5 years as a professional photographer, I've been a full-time entrepreneur for the last couple of years, and do design work, in addition to photography. But I am not satisfied with where I'm at success-wise. I'm not doing all that I want to do...YET! Ready to up my game in 2023! For me, I have a need to be creative and pick the analytical part of my brain-- both of which I've found in photography. The biggest thing I want to work on this year is creating better processes and structures for my business, something I think you excel at, Katelyn! Learning, organizing and implementing! :) Starting with getting my 12.5 year of photos better organized!
Thank you for mention running the side hustle like a business!
That quote is so powerful
Fantastic video! A lot of ‘food for thought’ but it has made me even more determined to make photography my full time passion- thank you so much 🙏
Great advice. I've recently went part-time at my former full-time job. I've had more time to dedicate to my photography business. It's amazing how much more business I'm getting now that I have more time. I'm planning on transitioning to doing photography full time after October.
How do you find your clients?
Katelyn, thanks for this very informative video, you make some very good points here. I'm in that boat of it being my side hustle, and you're spot on with treating it like real income and having the mindset of it being your only income instead of just side hustle money or extra; I've learned the hard way that with that mindset, you start forming some bad business habits that won't bode well if or when you go fulltime. Good substance, thanks again for sharing your knowledge!
I work as an furniture engineer, and I am good at it. I build stuff on a computer in 3D before it is actually made. I really like to take photos, but more in an artistic way. I'm not sure how that will pay the bills. I really had a passion to learn what I now do, but I want to move on, with more freedom. I could do weddings maybe, but I don't feel passionate about weddings, so it would become just another job, probably. I could be wrong, and I have been before. You are correct about photography as I heard it in another video you produced. It isn't so much the equipment you own, but knowing how to get the most out of the equipment you have, so I am heavily invested in photography lessons. I have a 90D and some excellent L glass. I am leaning more toward a 5D MK iv since I have the glass, and I don't do video. It is excellent for photos. I have tried the R6 Mk II, but I might wait a year or so to see what transpires. I am not cheap, but I like getting bang for the buck, and good value.
Omg this is for me. So terrifying that i hVent even crunched the numbers
Random question. What kind of camera do you use for filming? The quality of your videos are amazing.
Thank you for sound and wise advice. Great content as always!
I'm about to retire in a few years and I want to do professional photography after I do.
Thanks for watching!
Wedding photography scares the hell out of me. I feel its as hard as being a Special Ed teacher.
Thanks for watching!
What would you tell a beginner photographer to do/ buy. After getting the photos back from my sisters wedding it is really sparked an interest in photography for me. The pictures were beautiful and I’d really like to dive into that but I’m at Ground Zero and I am searching for help where I’m at I’ve been through most of your videos but, I can’t seem to find the beginners beginners guide Lol any tips would be appreciated. Thank you for all your hard work.:)
Who wants to live below there means? I know your coming for a good place be just say that 3 times live Below
My means. Spoil your self enjoy it you only live here on earth one time.
Answer: Not before an economic collapse like we've never before seen.
Thanks for watching!
Me absolutely bodying 99.95% of all photographers with an iPhone 13 😂
Tyler’s bye at the end spoke to me 😅 I feel as tired as he sounded 😜