How to Become a Full-Time Wedding Artist: Brushstrokes to Business Success
Want To Survive in Business? You Need Passion and Balls!!
Photography Credit: Martina Capodanno of PHOTOSTORIES
In the last year I have gone from being a student studying animal biology and ecology at university to a full time wedding blogger, so it has been somewhat of a whirlwind. It hasn’t been easy, as a student I was skint, so going from student to blogger meant I got even more skint. I have had some tough times, being weeks behind on rent, having red letters come through the door and one point thought I was going to have to sell my car just to get food in the house. I am constantly asked why I don’t just go and get a job in the same field as my degree and whilst part of me always thinks why the hell don’t I? The other half is constantly reminding me that I decided to take this leap of faith when I finished uni, because I completely believed in Bespoke Bride and I completely believed in both myself and Jess. My reason for not getting a job as soon as I left uni was that I have seen how tiring holding down a full time job is and I wondered if I would have been able to give the blog my all? I have made some huge sacrifices for Bespoke Bride and I will continue to work my ass off.
My reason for telling you this rather personal information is that I read an article a few weeks back about a wedding photographer that had decided to pack up his job as they no longer felt as though they could compete for bookings at a time when fees were rapidly declining. Stating that they just didn’t “like weddings that much to bend over backwards to stay in the game.” They claimed that the internet and digital camera’s were somewhat to blame, with it being so easy to set up a website that “any man and his wife could do it”.
They also felt there had been a change in trend, that brides and grooms were now requesting “Vintage, rock ‘n’ roll, trendy cropping and washed out post-production” along with “photos of bunting and shoes and details” he then went on to describe how he felt that wedding photography was now nothing more than a “fashion shoot on the lawn”.
Photography Credit: Martina Capodanno of PHOTOSTORIES
I wanted to be sympathetic, I felt that it was a huge shame that someone with that much experience and knowledge had simply let change defeat him. Everyone and everything eventually has to change this is a common phenomenon. To me I felt that his experience, style and equipment was exactly what had made him unique.
As a fledgling business we have already experienced how tough it can be to keep up with the changing trends however this is exactly what makes our jobs so much fun. I like to step outside of my comfort zone and I am naturally drawn to people that do the same. My belief is that businesses that refuse to change are those that will eventually become stagnant and have no choice but to pack it in. We have all heard of Darwin’s survival of the fittest and I rather feel that that applies to many aspects of life, including business.
I also had to agree that I feel that there has been a rise in the number of photographers out there and I do fear that some may not be as experienced as they say they are online. We all know that the internet can be a dangerous place if not checked out properly and so my advice would be to always meet with a number of different photographers all with the different numbers of years in experience and check out their portfolios. It is not fair to state that those with less experience are any less capable. I know some great photographers all with ranging years in experience and there have been cases where I have recommended someone with less experience because I felt that their particular style matched the couple. I genuinely think that it is great that couples now have a choice of styles to choose from. Most photographers understand that not all couples are the same so why would they all have the same taste photography?
Unfortunately that is where my sympathy ended and for the most part I actually found myself getting quite frustrated. Over the past year and a half I have scrimped, saved, spent hours and hours, blood sweat and tears into making Bespoke Bride work. We spent money rebranding, spent more money launching a sister product (which is still under construction) and I have at times been on my knees for our business. I love our blog, I love our readers and I love what we do and stand for. For someone to flippantly comment that they didn’t like wedding photography enough to work for it made my blood boil. I felt the person in question had blamed everyone but themselves for their decline in bookings. I think myself and many others could see clearly what the problem was.
A dear photographer friend of ours hit the nail on the head by quoting that it takes “Passion and Balls” to make a business work. This photographer was clearly no longer feeling the same passion he had many years before for his work and it was showing. It takes balls to admit you need to change and this again was something this photographer was not willing to do. Ok I agree he shouldn’t have to but he could of least acknowledged that change is good and the problem lied in him and not others.
Photography Credit: Martina Capodanno of PHOTOSTORIES
I asked our readers on Facebook what they thought it took to succeed in business and it was really interesting to hear everyones responses, hear are a few…
Passion, guts, dreams, personality, drive, innovation, patience, determination, hard work, belief
So what did you think of the photographers choice to quit and what do you think is needed to succeed in business?
I would love to hear your thoughts? Please also feel free to leave your comments on twitter and start it with #passionandballs, lets get it trending!
Much Bespoke Love
Emily x
♥ ♥ This post is dedicated to all the hard working businesses out there that work their asses off day in and out to make it work – do not be defeated!♥♥
I guess I understand the photographers feelings, and while it’s fair to say he/she needed to move with the times. At that stage in life (mortgage, kids, grandchildren, and the other expenses in life), when it comes to learning new stuff (pay for courses), new branding (Pay for branding, website, logo, business cards), advertising with new people (Pay for advertising in many various forms). He would almost be starting all over again.
The wedding business is such a funny environment from the inside, and it can be quite nasty at times. And I wonder when he says he can’t be bothered, if he means the industry people rather than the clients.
I have a wedding related business, and while I like to be very open, willing to chat to competitors, happy to give my advice and opinion, I find that others are less so. I often see my competitors on FB, Twitter etc, saying “I, unlike other businesses . . . “, and “I’ve just seen this from another business, and they’re rubbish – choose me instead!”
And I think, goodness, I wonder what they could be saying about me!!? Even though I’m pretty confident in my work, and I’m doing very well.
When I’m in my bubble with clients, it’s wonderful, but behind the scenes, it’s a dog eat dog underworld.
Time to grow some balls me thinks! 😉
Hi Emily (& Jess!)
Wow what an inspiring post! I totally agree with everything you said and your facebook fans too! Strong words! 🙂
I’d also just like to say, good on you for starting this fab blog! I got my degree and a good job because of it, and after 8 years of feeling like a hamster on a wheel I needed something more…..I’m in the early stages of starting a cupcake and iced biscuit business (and blog) & I have my very first wedding order this weekend!!! Eek!! So your post couldn’t have come at a more perfect time for me!!
Hopefully the orders will snowball and the business will grow, I’ve definitely got the passion, I just hope I have the balls 😉
keep up the good work ladies!
Shel 🙂
Oh and as for the photographer, if his hearts not it then he should definitely quit, but he shouldn’t blame it on other people for him losing business!