10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Full-Time Photographer

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Full-Time Photographer

Read this before you quit your day job (or before you burn out trying to do it all)

So, you’re dreaming of becoming a full-time photographer. Maybe you’ve already taken a few paying gigs and are wondering, “Could I really do this full time?” Maybe you’re side hustling hard, balancing shoots with a 9–5, and wondering when it’s time to make the leap.

Wherever you are, you’re not alone. And I see you.

When I first started out, I wanted so badly to make it work—but I had no roadmap. I googled my way through contracts, stressed over pricing, and spent more time comparing myself to other photographers than actually celebrating what I was creating.

This post is the list I wish I had back then: honest, no-fluff lessons that might save you time, energy, and maybe a little heartache as you build a photography business that actually feels good.

1. It’s Not Just About the Photos

Photography may be the heart of your business, but it's far from the whole picture. Being a full-time photographer means also being your own admin, editor, accountant, website manager, and hype woman. You're managing client communication, editing queues, social media, invoices—and oh yeah, trying to stay creative.

You can be incredibly talented behind the lens and still struggle to stay afloat if you don’t have systems to support the business side. I wish I’d understood that sooner—and that I’d asked for help earlier.

2. Consistency Matters More Than Perfection

I spent a lot of time early on waiting for the “perfect” moment to post, the “perfect” portfolio, the “perfect” website. Spoiler: That moment never came.

What helped me grow wasn’t being flawless—it was showing up regularly. Sharing my work, writing from the heart, and letting people see me. Even when it felt messy. Especially then.

Done is better than perfect. Progress beats polished. It took me YEARS to realize this. And your people will connect with the real you—not just the curated version.

3. You Don’t Need All the Gear to Get Paid

I thought I had to have a full frame camera, a 70–200mm lens, and five backup flashes before I could call myself “professional.” Turns out: You can make magic with a single camera and a good lens.

What really matters is how you use what you’ve got. How you see light. How you make people feel. How you solve problems on the fly.

Gear is a tool—not the secret sauce. Don’t let equipment hold you back from starting.

4. Your Time Is Valuable—Price It That Way

I used to price myself based on what I thought people would pay, not what the work was worth. I charged $100 for hours of work because I didn’t want to scare people away. I wanted the booking. But this lead to 4+ shoots/day and maybe 12+ a week- definitely not sustainable at all.

But underpricing only leads to overworking and burnout. Your time, your creativity, your energy—they all have value. Pricing isn’t just about what you make—it's about how you protect your time, pay your bills, and build a business that can actually sustain you.

Start with what you need, not what you think people want to pay.

5. Burnout Is Real—And It Sneaks Up on You

When you’re doing something you love, it’s easy to say yes to everything. But passion doesn’t cancel out exhaustion.

I’ve hit burnout more than once. It doesn’t always look like collapse—it can look like resenting your edits, avoiding your inbox, or feeling like nothing you create is “good enough.”

Rest is not a reward for working hard. It’s a requirement. Build breaks, creative play, and non-work days into your calendar on purpose.

6. Referrals and Word-of-Mouth Are Gold

It’s easy to chase algorithms, trends, and virality. But most of my best clients have come through people who knew me, trusted me, and passed my name along. They have also come from the incredible network of business owners I have nurtured over the past 5+ ears. Find yourself a support group and community to lean in to.

Treat every client like they’re your favorite. Overdeliver when you can. Make people feel amazing. That experience is your marketing.

The connection you create is what keeps people coming back—and sending others your way.

7. You’ll Spend More Time on a Computer Than Behind a Camera

No one told me that running a photography business meant spending hours behind the scenes: editing, emailing, scheduling, writing blog posts (hi 👋), managing files, doing taxes.

The magic happens during the shoot—but the business happens before and after. Having good workflows, templates, and systems in place will give you more time to do what you love: shoot.

If you’re not already batching tasks and using email templates, start now. Your future self will thank you.

8. It’s Okay to Start Small (and Stay There for a While)

There’s a lot of pressure to grow fast—to go full-time ASAP, to book 20+ weddings a year, to hit six figures in 12 months. But small is not bad. Slow is not failure. Slow is smart. Slow is deliberate. Slow is intentional.

You’re allowed to ease into it. To take your time figuring out what kind of work you actually want to do. To build a business that grows with your life—not in competition with it.

Stay in your lane, trust your pace, and build something solid. It’s more than okay.

9. Comparison Is the Fastest Way to Kill Your Joy

Instagram can be inspiring—but also brutal. It’s easy to see someone else’s success and feel like you’re behind, like you’re not enough, like your work isn’t “there” yet.

Here’s the truth: You’re seeing someone else’s highlight reel—not the missed shots, the no-booking weeks, or the self-doubt behind the scenes.

Your work is needed. Your way of seeing the world is worth sharing. And you don’t have to look like anyone else to be successful.

10. You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

This one’s big. I spent a long time trying to figure everything out on my own—Googling for hours, watching free YouTube tutorials, second-guessing every decision.

It wasn’t until I found a community (and later, a mentor) that everything started to shift. Ask for help. Take advantage of those who offer- they want to see you succeed.

You don’t have to build your business in isolation. You’re allowed to ask questions. To get feedback. To say, “I don’t know what I’m doing—can you help?”

Because the truth is: we all need help sometimes. And support can make all the difference.