7 Struggles That Even the Best Wedding Photographers and Videographers Face

What are the main struggles you face as a wedding videographer?

As a professional, you know and understand all the pleasures and the victories that come from a job well done.

But even the best wedding photographers and videographers will face challenges that are going to test their skills, patience and even trust in humanity.

Difficult situations arise from so many scenarios – from having to deal with a bridezilla to unexpected storm clouds deciding to appear uninvited.

If you’re trying to get ready for a dynamic and challenging profession, the following guide is the right one for you.

Here are some of the top challenges that even the best wedding photographers and videographers face.

We also have some suggestions to help you overcome these struggles.

 

Long Hours and Overtime Work

 

Very often, a contract gets signed with a client long before the date of the actual wedding.

As a result, various things can change when the big day arrives.

Wedding photographers and videographers usually work long hours.

There is always the risk of overtime work – ceremonies can run late and certain aspects of the wedding can take a lot longer than originally anticipated.

Most weddings are very long and as a professional, you should be prepared and focused throughout the day.

You can do a couple of things in order to ensure your stellar performance.

For a start, make sure your equipment is sufficient to last you through the day.

There’s nothing more embarrassing than running out of batteries in the middle of the ceremony.

Having a second photographer by your side will also be an incredibly effective way to relieve some of the stress.

It’s up to you to decide whether you’re going to work as a team (to capture more moments for the couple) or if you’ll be taking turns so that one of the crew members has a chance to relax.

As far as overtime work goes, it should always be listed in the contract that your clients have signed.

People should know that they’ll need to pay more for any additional work that goes beyond the original scope of the agreement.

If you have to work extra hard, you should at least be compensated adequately for the effort.

 

The Pressure of Having Just One Shot (It Gets to the Best Wedding Photographers and Videographers!)

 

Even if you have decades of experience in the business, you’ll still be nervous about having to do a good job on somebody’s most special day.

As a wedding photographer or videographer, you have just one chance to get it right.

If you fail, your clients aren’t going to receive those special mementos.

And that’s a big problem spanning beyond a failure to deliver a finished product.

Wedding photos and videos are highly personal, highly emotional.

You simply can’t mess up and you can’t deliver mediocre work. So, how do you handle all of that pressure?

There are two very important things – communicate with your clients and come prepared.

You can’t make assumptions on behalf of the bride and the groom. If there’s something you feel uncertain of, do ask.

A stupid question is a lot better than delivering an outcome no one is looking forward to.

Being prepared is the second most important thing that will give you confidence and make you feel less stressed out.

Make sure all of your equipment is in a stellar condition.

Practice the most challenging aspects of being a photographer or videographer.

If there’s something you’re not too good at, take a course or find another way to boost your qualifications.

The worlds of wedding photography and videography are evolving all the time.

You have to be very adaptable in order to stay ahead of the game and meet customer expectations in the most outstanding way.

 

Being a Business Person

 

You’re not just a wedding photographer or videographer. You’re a business person having their own studio.

As liberating as this fact can be, it also implies immense responsibility.

Wedding photographers and videographers have heaps of work that span beyond their actual qualifications.

If you’re just getting started, you should be prepared to work as a manager, accountant, marketing person, customer relationship expert, supervisor and even legal professional (especially if you decide to draft your own contracts).

Multi-tasking is a must-have skill in order to survive in the business.

Good time management is another essential. Otherwise, you’ll simply drown under the burden of everything that’s not directly related to your line of work.

 

Ensuring Consistent Business

 

Yes, even the best wedding photographers and videographers struggle with booking new gigs consistently.

Wedding photography and videography are pretty much seasonal jobs. Very few weddings take place off season.

These sporadic gigs aren’t going to be enough to ensure year-round employment.

You can address that problem in a couple of ways.

The first thing you can do is book enough weddings during the summer so that you wouldn’t have to work in the winter.

Achieving this goal, however, is incredibly difficult.

Alternatively, come up with services and products that you could offer clients when wedding season dies down.

Many wedding photographers and videographers also offer different kinds of shoots (maternity, baptisms, birthdays, family events, etc.).

Editing and post-production work can also generate good additional streams of income.

Do consider passive income as another opportunity worth testing out.

If you’re especially good at a certain niche skill, create a course and market/sell that product to other photographers or videographers.

You can also write an ebook (or a few) on photography or videography if you have your way with words.

Don’t be afraid of branching out of your niche specialization.

Putting all of your eggs in the same basket is never a good thing, especially if that basket is going to be full only half of the year.

 

Having a Good Work-Life Balance (Especially if You’re One of the Best Wedding Photographers)

 

 

Wedding photography and videography can easily take over your life.

Firstly and most obviously, weddings occur during the weekend (typically) and during the summer.

That means forgetting about taking a break with your family or having the weekends off.

Secondly, running your own business will make it almost impossible for you to turn down clients.

Even if you decide to take a weekend off, you’ll probably feel tempted to shoot a wedding and make some nice cash.

While you will feel motivated to work a lot, burnout is a real danger.

As a creative professional, you can’t just push through it and churn out photos or videos.

It’s very important to determine how much work you can handle and do a good job.

Over-booking yourself will sooner or later lead to mediocre results and the loss of clients.

More isn’t necessarily better, even if you’re struggling to establish a solid business.

Focus on quality rather than quantity and take some time to get your batteries recharged.

It’s much better to turn down a few clients that aren’t looking exactly for what you’re offering.

Focusing on your biggest strengths will help you acquire satisfied customers and lots of future referrals.

 

Dealing with Difficult Clients

 

Even the most seasoned pros will lose it if they have to deal with challenging clients or people who are impossible to communicate with.

Very often, reasonable individuals will become completely manic on their wedding day.

Remaining calm and collected is going to test you.

Not retaliating or responding in a negative way will seem almost impossible. But that’s exactly what you have to do as a professional.

In time, you’ll learn that it’s never personal. Nervous people tend to lash out, especially on a big day when everything needs to be perfect.

As a wedding photographer or videographer, you’ll often act as a therapist or coach to the couple.

Take some time to offer sympathy and compassion. Show difficult clients that you are there for them.

At the same time, don’t be afraid of enforcing boundaries in a non-confrontational way.

Your confidence and reliable presence can easily turn the situation around and give everyone the happy end they desire.

 

Having to Improvise

 

Poor weather conditions, technical issues and various other situations can push the script to the side and force you to improvise.

You should always be prepared for the unexpected.

Very few weddings go according to plan.

There may be venue restrictions that previously remained concealed.

Even the best cameras may malfunction. And there will always be a drunk uncle or a few that will stand in the way of doing your job.

Don’t be afraid of challenges and embrace new situations. If you have enough spare equipment, a technical malfunction isn’t going to affect your work.

Having a backup plan for poor weather will also give you control back.

 

Final Verdict

 

The job of a wedding photographer or videographer will often be filled with unexpected situations.

They are an actual normal part of the professional experience.

Initially, these challenges will be major stressors. At the same time, however, they provide incredible learning opportunities.

Do your best, communicate, stay positive and remember to breathe.

Ask for assistance from your second crew member or even the wedding planner.

All of you are hired to make the wedding day incredible.

Team work and good spirits will help you address problematic scenarios, preventing them from becoming something big.