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Industry
Feb 2020

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer

20 min read

Photography is a dream job, right? But no one sees the long hours, endless editing, and overflowing inbox. Here’s what it’s really like to be a photographer… (Featuring ERIC KELLEY and GILDED PHOTOGRAPHY)


9 Things No One Tells You About Being a Photographer

Ah, the adventurous life of a full-time photographer! You’re living the dream, right? But wait…

Amid the creativity, inspiration, and freedom, most photographers also battle overwhelming administrative tasks, project management, and even loneliness. Here we get real about what no one tells you about being a photographer – and how, despite the challenges, you can still come out ahead.

In this diptych, a Black bride in a lace jumpsuit holds her large wildflower bouquet against a pink wall.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Gilded Photography

#1: Owning Your Own Business is Hard Freaking Work

Your first years in business are tremendously exciting. They’re also the toughest you’ll face because that’s when you do the hard work of getting your business ball rolling. After a few years, that ball will roll merrily along on its own, without much pushing from you. But for now, you’re the sole energy behind that big ball of business – and all that effort can be exhausting!

A bride and groom tour Italy in a blue tuxedo and a pink wedding gown.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Eric Kelley

Tip: Establish Working Hours vs. Personal Hours

If you’re a high-achiever, you’re likely running your business on a combination of “I’ve sold my soul for your happiness” and “Sleep? Who needs sleep?” But the truth is: you DO need a balanced approach to caring for your clients and yourself.

As you build your business, you should constantly evaluate and adjust your working hours and personal hours. And stick with your schedule. If on Mondays you work 12 hours, that’s totally fine. But STOP when you reach the 12th hour. Set aside appropriate amounts of time for meals, sleep, exercise, errands, and family time, and honor those personal hours as intently as you honor your working hours.

If you don’t pursue a balanced approach to life and work, you’ll eventually burn out – and that won’t benefit anyone.

A Black bride and groom sit on a decorated picnic table wearing a gray tuxedo and an ivory wedding gown in front of a brick wall.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Image by Gilded Photography

#2: Your Income will Vary Wildly

And by “wildly” we mean tens of thousands of dollars one month, then a big, sad ZERO the next month. Really. Massive money fluctuations happen to us all. And if your business is especially young or seasonal (such as wedding or volume photography), those income inconsistencies can be devastating – if you don’t prepare for them.

A groom in a blue tuxedo twirls a bride in a pink wedding dress in an Italian alleyway.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Eric Kelley

Tip: Budget for a Photography Lifestyle

For starters, you have to know exactly what it costs you to live each month. These are your fixed personal expenses, like shelter, transportation, and food. Your fixed expenses must be paid every single month, no matter what; so you need to budget your income for those items first. If you have an especially flush month, you may want to set aside funds for the next three months of fixed expenses. Then, if you have anything leftover, you can invest in fun stuff like gear or website updates or a set of faux fur booties for your pet armadillo.

A Black bride and groom hold hands in front of a gothic concrete chapel.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Gilded Photography

Tip: What to do if You Don’t Yet Have a Steady Stream of Clients

If your money challenges stem from a lack of business, consider these two approaches:

  1. Don’t quit your day job! If you’re not busy enough to sustain yourself financially, don’t go into photography full-time just yet. Keep your “real” job – and its deliciously steady paycheck – until you’ve fully booked your upcoming calendar with paying clients.
  2. Direct your energy toward marketing. Photography marketing includes everything from building out your portfolio with styled shoots, to improving your website, to boosting your word-of-mouth referrals by enhancing your client experience. Survey your past clients to find out what you’re doing right (and wrong), and invest in your brand by fine-tuning your target market and showcasing only what you do best.
A groom in a blue tuxedo and black bow tie stands next to a tiered wedding cake, all in front of a pink wall.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Eric Kelley

Tip: What to do if Your Business is Seasonal

Do you shoot-shoot-shoot and shoot some more, then watch the following weeks or months to go by without a single booking? Seasonal photography is totally a thing – and not necessarily a bad thing, as long as you’re prepared. Enhance your off-season income with these methods:

  1. Introduce another genre of photography during your slow season, such as portrait mini sessions.
  2. Use your “down time” to plan for the coming busy months.
  3. Offer pop-up print and product sales to your photography clients in your off-season.
A Black bride and groom stand in a dimly lit studio in front of a white backdrop.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Gilded Photography

#3: You May be an Artist, but You Still Have to Please Your Clients

Photography is our favorite art form (obviously). But let’s be honest: the act of being a photographer is an art form in and of itself. Unlike in our daydreams, the real work of being a photographer isn’t in the image-making, but in the client-pleasing. Any reasonably-experienced photographer can make a beautiful photograph of just about anything, but it takes real skill to satisfy a wide array of client personalities and styles.

And trust us: that skill will be put to the test.

A bride and groom stand before an Italian cathedral under a bright blue sky.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Eric Kelley

Tip: Making Your Clients Happy Doesn’t Make You a Sell-Out

It’s easy to dig our heels in and refuse to budge when a client comes at us with an off-the-wall request. But who does our stubbornness benefit in the long run? Think deeply about where your hard lines exist. Maybe you just don’t do some things: family portraits, destination weddings, animal boudoir. And those boundaries are okay! It’s good to know what you’re best at and where to focus your energies.

But when ethics or skill aren’t at stake, it’s best to seek a solution that will make your client super-duper happy. Because happy clients beget more happy clients, and that’s how you stay in business.

A Black groom in a bow tie and tuxedo poses for a moody black and white photograph.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Gilded Photography

#4: Self-Employment Gets Pretty Lonely

You’ve already visualized it: you’ll watch true crime documentaries all day while you edit; you’ll be home when your kid’s bus pulls up; no more wasting money buying lunch; and your dog can finally live that kennel-free life you’ve always wanted for them. In theory, being a photographer is your dream life.

Yet, while all of the above may be true, it’s also true that working alone from home can get pretty lonely at times. There’s no one to bounce ideas off of, no one to motivate you not to take that nap, and no one to say, “Wow! Great work on that project!” It’s all you, yourself, and your bunny slippers.

A long-haired bride stands in window light beside a set of gold beauty accessories.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Eric Kelley

Tip: Create Your Own Work Family

If you’re starting to feel like a marooned astronaut surviving on potatoes, it’s time to build your own working community. Find friends who also work remotely – even if they aren’t photographers. Plan a co-working day each week when you can meet up and work side-by-side. Some occasional eye contact will be great for your soul.

A Black bride in a lace jumpsuit stands in front of a pink wall with a stunning diamond engagement ring and a large bouquet of flowers.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Gilded Photography

Tip: Get Out of Your Living Room

End the Golden Girls background-binge and get out of your house. Spend a few hours each week at a local coffee shop or cafe that has great wifi and a soothing soundtrack. Your short chat with the barista will remind you that you do, in fact, have vocal cords; and being surrounded by other humans will inspire you to do crazy stuff like shower and put on a nice outfit.

A bride kneels in prayer before an Italian cathedral.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Eric Kelley

#5: People Think You Have SO MUCH Free Time

“It must be awesome to get to do whatever you want all the time!” someone will say as you stave off a panic attack over the 8,000 photos on your hard drive still waiting to be edited.

“Why haven’t you called me back yet?” your mom will text as you answer your 30th email in as many minutes.

It’s astonishing how many folks truly seem to think being a photographer is one long vacation. Only you know the truth: that there’s never a shortage of things to do. Which means only you can set your own boundaries.

A Black bride sits on an emerald green sofa in a white studio wearing an ivory gown.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Gilded Photography

Tip: Treat Your Photography-Job Like a JOB-Job

Establish core working hours for yourself, and don’t schedule personal stuff during those hours. Your core hours should be a window each day when all you do is work. Let’s say your core hours are 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. – that’s five hours when you’ll do nothing but focus on work (and staying hydrated).

Other stuff, such as doctor’s appointments, calls to your mom, or errands, should happen outside of those core hours. (You can also work outside your core hours if you have a few more tasks to tackle.) “Core hours” simply offer some much-needed flexibility without the risk that nothing gets done.

You aren’t stuck punching a clock or micro-managing your lunch minutes. But by committing to a set of core hours each workday, you guarantee that you won’t get overrun by distractions. And the more you tell people, “I’m unavailable between 10 and three,” the more they’ll get that you’re actually, really, legitimately working.

A bride's diamond engagement ring is displayed on her finger and again in a glass box cushioned with silk.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Eric Kelley

#6: It Takes Time (Sometimes a LOT) to Build Your Client Base

Some photographers strike gold. They build the right brand at the right time in the right community, and their calendar is booked full almost immediately. Isn’t that fan-freaking-tastic.

But for most of us, our first attempt at gold-digging results in a shovel full of mud with one kind-of-pretty rock in it. In other words, it takes us time to build the business of our dreams. Sometimes a lot of time.

A Black bride and groom pose together in front of a brick wall for a black and white portrait, then again before a pink wall for a color photo.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Gilded Photography

Tip: How to Get More Clients

If you’re trying desperately to attract more clients and book more work, there are a few tried-and-true tips you should pay close attention to:

  • Get GREAT with your camera. Photograph everything, everywhere, all the time, and learn how to create a compelling photo of just about anyone and anything. Understand your camera’s functions, and make sure you’re utilizing your gear to its maximum.
  • Treat your clients like gold – because they are. New clients are fun, because they’re the ones paying a new invoice. But past clients are the folks you need to show the biggest love to, because they’ve already booked you, paid you, and taken their photos home to share with friends and family. Stay in touch with them throughout the year with client-only offers, and send a physical holiday card to them annually. These efforts will keep you top-of-mind, which means you’re the first person they’ll think of when it’s time to hire – or refer someone to – a photographer.
A bride in a pink dress walks through an Italian courtyard with her groom who's wearing a blue tuxedo.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Eric Kelley

  • Be someone people want to be around. Seriously: if you’re rude or abrasive, your client list will always stay small. No one wants to pay for an hour (or a day) with Cranky McStresserton. So be kind. Even if you’re a little awkward or shy, you can always find it in yourself to show kindness. Give compliments, offer encouragement, ask questions and truly listen; others will respond in kind – especially the “good” kinds of people you ultimately want to work with.
  • Get out into the world and meet people. No one can hire you if they don’t know you exist. So get off your sofa and go do things. Volunteer. Attend social events. Meet up with some acquaintances for drinks. Become a regular at the local coffee shop. Make yourself an active part of your community, and your community will embrace you.
A bride in a lace jumpsuit is posed beside a groom in a gray suit. They are pictured from the waist-down in front of a pink wall.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Image by Gilded Photography

#7: Taxes will Bury You Alive if You Let Them

Before you start making money (yes, before), book an hour with an accountant and ask them all the questions. Like, “what percentage of my income should I set aside for taxes,” then immediately go home and do exactly what they said.

It’s no joke. When an accountant advises you to save 30% of your income just to pay taxes, they mean a full $30 out of each $100 you pull in. Sure, your final tax bill may not be that big. But if it is and you don’t pay, you’ll be hit with fees and penalties that can take years to pay off.

Learn more about photography business taxes.

A field of colorful flowers is pictures beside a bride in a pink dress who stands in front of a green door with her groom.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Eric Kelley

Tip: Ignorance is No Excuse

At the end of the day, you alone are responsible for your tax liability. So while it’s great to begin with a trusted accountant and possibly a bookkeeper, you also need to educate yourself on local tax laws.

One good piece of news: if you’re in the USA, you can call the IRS at any time and they will answer any and all questions with kindness and honesty. Yes, it’s true. No one knows how this particular government agency came to be staffed with thoughtful, helpful individuals, but let’s not overthink it; it is what it is, and we’re grateful.

A Black bride and groom stand at the corner of a pink building beneath a slant of light.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Image by Gilded Photography

#8: At Some Point, You’re Gonna Need Help

You may have heard people say, “photography isn’t scaleable,” and that’s largely true. When you build a business around you, yourself doing the work, eventually you’re going to run out of hands. In fact, you’ll quite quickly recognize that you can only photograph one family at a time, only shoot one wedding at a time, only answer one email at a time, only send one contract at a time… You get the drill. So if you want to build a sustainable business that doesn’t drive you into the ground, you will absolutely need to acquire some help.

A brunette bride wears a pink wedding gown and her hair in a chignon. She poses before a pink wall.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Eric Kelley

Tip: You Don’t Have to Hire Employees to Build a Team

Maybe you really like being a one-human show. Most photographers do. So how do you offload some of the busy work so you can focus on your more valuable skills, like shooting and interacting with clients?

We recommend outsourcing.

  • Post-production companies provide editing and retouching services for as little as a few cents per image.
  • Studio management software keeps you organized by managing your contracts, invoices, and questionnaires.
  • ShootProof handles your client galleries, vendor galleries, online sales, and archiving – and you can even send contracts and invoices if you’re not quite ready for full studio management yet.
  • A regular second shooter will act as your backup if you become sick or injured, and can assist with everything from lugging your gear to holding your reflector to posing a 37-person family.
  • And if they’re skilled enough, you can even book work for your second shooter under a co-brand!
A bride in lace jumpsuit walks in front of a pink wall with her groom who is wearing a gray suit. They are in a shower of flower petals.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Image by Gilded Photography

#9: Everyone Will Have an Opinion About What You’re Doing

Your grandma will want to know when you’re getting a “real” job. Your friends will be convinced you should be photographing celebrities. Other photographers will critique your posing, your editing, and even the colors you chose for your logo. And you’ll fight imposter syndrome as you grow and evolve and try things you never imagined yourself trying.

A bride and groom ride in a gondola through the canals of Venice, Italy.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Eric Kelley

Tip: #FocusOnWhatMattersMost

Stop “should-ing” on yourself. The only thing you “should” do is what’s right for you and your goals. It’s okay to:

  • keep your business small
  • be a part-time photographer
  • work with budget clients, luxury clients, or clients with average-size wallets
  • aim high and dream big and prove everyone else wrong!

The only thing that really matters is that you stay focused on what matters most to you. That’s how you’ll build the business of your dreams – not anyone else’s.

Wedding day details – a bow tie, leather shoes, invitations, flowers, and a ring – are pictured beside a smiling bride and groom.

Here’s What No One Tells You About Being a Photographer | Images by Gilded Photography

What Else Should People Know About Being a Photographer?

Share your perspective in the comments below!


Written by ANNE SIMONE | Photographs by ERIC KELLEY and GILDED PHOTOGRAPHY



Thanks to: A Trendy Wedding | Philippa Tarrant Floral Design | My Wony Bridal | Invitation Maven | Shareen Bridal | Stitch and Tie | Lounge Appeal | Flowers by Lady Buggs | Naked Eye Studio


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