Blistered feet. Aching back. Heavy eyelids begging for sleep. Glassy eyes transfixed by editing software well past midnight. If you think photographing weddings is all champagne toasts and reminiscing over precious moments with dewy-eyed couples, then you clearly haven't lugged a 10-pound camera rig on your shoulder for 12 hours straight. Trust me, capturing 50 weddings a year is not always the glam gig Instagram makes it out to be.
But don't get me wrong - I wouldn't trade lives with even the most well-rested, tropical vacation-taking lad out there. Because despite the long hours, growing collection of scars from venue mishaps, and occasional overwhelmed bride losing her mind on me, I absolutely live for this. Capturing raw joy and love each weekend makes all those achy muscles and sleepless nights editing completely worth it. I just think more people should appreciate what independent photographers go through year in and year out to craft those Pinterest-worthy galleries they fawn over...
The Reality Behind Those Dreamy Instagram Images
Between traveling tens of thousands miles crisscrossing the UK, carrying heavier camera loads than soldiers in basic training, getting by on meal breaks consisting of lukewarm venue slop and endless caffeine, and the general stress of trying to capture artistic magic on a tight schedule while avoiding all manner of potential disasters - let's just say there's a reason most wedding photographers quickly burn out. We regularly endure conditions that would lay out most mere mortals if it meant getting "the shot".
But I'm not complaining. I may have smashed my knee tripping in a dark church balcony or gotten mild hypothermia shooting a blizzard elopement. And sure, I've definitely questioned my life choices when editing 3,000 nearly identical dance floor snapshots at 3 AM. But then I remind myself of my passion project - compiling those epic highlight reels for newlyweds.
Seeing the tears of joy and nostalgia pouring while they relive their most heartfelt vows, silly reception antics, and tender embraces through my artistic lens makes all those aches seem small. I live to distill real humans crazy in love down into their purest emotional essence. That's why I don't just take pretty pictures - I tell visual stories layered with mood, personality and meaning that'll yank those same heart strings 50 years later.
So while shooting 50+ weddings every year taxes my battered body and steals far too many weekend mornings, as long as lovesick couples keep wanting to commemorate their unions, I'll keep grinding. It's an honor being trusted to document the most momentous day of their lives. And I take that privilege incredibly seriously - no matter how disastrous the circumstances get!
Navigating 50 Unique Disaster Wedding Situations Per Year
When you're booked solid hopping from venue to venue every weekend capturing matrimony, you quickly become an expert troubleshooter and master of disaster. I've prevented more wedding day meltdowns than anyone rightfully should - which generally makes me quite popular with stressed out planners and panicked brides!
But no amount of preparation can avoid the sheer chaos that comes with groups of passionate humans coming together to celebrate love. Even if you check weather reports religiously, pack backup gear religiously, scout every venue ahead of time, and remind clients to allot ample time for photos, things will go sideways.
And when you photograph 50+ weddings per year like I do, you see it all. Grooms drunkenly crashing convertibles on the morning of. Entire bridal parties waylaid by sudden flu epidemics. Hidden venue fees devastating carefully planned budgets. Runaway flower girls. And enough explosive family drama to script 100 reality shows...
I could write a novel on the craziest moments I've witnessed. But time and word counts are short - so for now, just know that wedding photographers secretly keep ALL the juicy stories and have earned the right to be a little jaded!
