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When you’re just starting out as a wedding photographer or videographer, it’s easy to feel like you’re figuring things out as you go. Trust me, we’ve been there! In this blog post, my husband Luke and I are sharing some of the mistakes we made early on in our business and the lessons we learned from them. Whether you’re new to the photography world or looking to avoid some common pitfalls, we hope this helps you on your journey!
1. Not Networking Enough with Other Photographers
One of our biggest early mistakes was not networking with other photographers. Looking back, we realize how valuable it would have been to connect with others in the industry—whether it was learning new shooting styles, understanding workflows, or simply building relationships. We skipped second shooting and jumped straight into weddings, which meant learning the hard way through trial and error. By networking and second shooting, you can learn quicker and avoid some of the mistakes we had to work through.
2. Not Building a Portfolio Intentionally
When we first started, we booked weddings left and right, but we didn’t put much thought into what we wanted our portfolio to represent. We shot whatever came our way without intentionally curating our style. It took years before we realized we could organize styled shoots or go after specific types of weddings we wanted to showcase. Being clear about the type of work you want to attract from the start can save you time and help build the portfolio that truly represents your vision.
3. Lack of a Defined Process
Early on, we didn’t have a clear, repeatable process for how we handled inquiries, client communication, or wedding day workflows. Every inquiry felt like we were starting from scratch. Developing a process not only makes things smoother for you, but it also provides a consistent and professional experience for your clients. Whether it’s how you onboard clients, manage timelines, or deliver final photos, having a process ensures that your clients know what to expect and that you can easily improve your workflow as you grow.
4. No Pricing Strategy
Pricing can be one of the hardest things to figure out when you’re new to the business. We had no strategy early on and often undercharged for the work we were doing. We didn’t think about the long-term value of our work, and this left us burned out after long wedding days with minimal compensation. One key takeaway: don’t just price for where you are now—think about where you’ll be in the future, especially when booking weddings a year or more in advance. And always have multiple packages with varying levels of value to meet different clients’ needs.
5. Not Setting Boundaries
We were guilty of not setting boundaries with clients, whether it was working 14-hour wedding days or giving couples raw, unedited photos because we didn’t know how to say no. Boundaries are essential, not just for your own well-being, but also for your clients’ experience. Set clear limits on your working hours, the number of photos you deliver, and the amount of time you’ll spend on a wedding day. Your clients will respect the process more if you have these boundaries in place from the start.
Final Thoughts
Running a successful photography or videography business isn’t easy, and there’s no handbook to guide you through every step. But learning from others’ experiences can save you time and headaches down the road. We hope that by sharing the mistakes we made early on, you can avoid some of these common pitfalls and set yourself up for success.
If you’re looking for more guidance, check out our 1:1 coaching opportunities or explore our business resources for more tools to help grow your photography business!
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