A Day in the Life of a Wedding Photographer

A Day in the Life of a Wedding Photographer

Most people have a misconception about wedding photographers. “You just show up and take pictures right?” Totally not true!

How some people think Photographer's spend their time (I wish!)

Although most weddings occur on the weekends, I am quite busy during the week. A lot of my time is spent marketing my business, scouting new locations, answering e-mails, editing photographs, meeting with clients, blogging, and more.

My time looks more like this:

Preparations for the wedding occur the night before. I collect all of my camera equipment: camera, multiple lenses, my flash, flash batteries, memory cards, my diffuser, camera batteries, light meter, & my ShootSac. I charge all of my batteries the night before, clean my lenses, and I pack everything up so I’m ready to go in the morning.


The day of the wedding I arrive early. If the ceremony and reception are in the same venue, I like to survey the area to familiarize myself with the location. If bridal prep is in the same location, I meet up with the bride to go over any last minute details. My assistant will meet up with me at the venue and I fill them in with any important information or what I would like them to focus on that day. If my clients have hired a videographer through me, I will go and check in with them to make sure they have their film schedule.


Then the most exciting part of the day comes, I get to photograph the wedding! The time I spend photographing actually depends on the client. I offer a few different wedding packages ranging from 5 hours of coverage to unlimited. If you would like me there photographing from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed, then the unlimited package is for you!

When I get home, I download all the photographs to my hard drive. I then will transfer the images to two other hard drives. The last thing I do is burn the images to DVDs. As you can see, I’m very protective of my images!


Depending upon the length and type of wedding, I can photograph between 800-3000 images. This also includes whatever my 2nd photographer has captured too. After all the images have been transferred, the editing process begins. It takes me approximately 20-60 hours to edit a wedding.

A good percentage of what I make from a wedding goes back into my business. Hard drive storage, new equipment, maintenance of my website, gas/mileage for my car, and hiring assistants or a 2nd photographer for a wedding.

As you can see, wedding photographers are spending more time in front of a computer than behind a camera. It’s just a sign that we are living in a digital world.

Graphs and some information courtesy of ISPWP

Why I believe in professional organizations and continuing education

It always seems with the how fast technology is evolving, once you purchase a computer, cell phone, camera, or software it is already obsolete. Just like technology and fashion, photography is ever evolving. I believe it is important for photographers to evolve and change with what the market is demanding.

I am involved in a few professional organizations, ASMP, PPA, PPSCF, and a casual organization that meets once a month. Other careers usually require continuing education such as professions in the health and hair industry. It is not required for photography, but it is worth the investment. Just like professions in health and hair learn about what is new in technology, what is in style, photographers need to be aware of these things too.



These organizations are phenomenal. They give photographers the opportunity to meet up and discuss what is happening in their business and ask questions. How can I better market my business? What are the latest trends you are seeing? What professional labs do you use for printing? These organizations also provide workshops. The workshops can be on any topic from new trends in lighting, exploring new features in Adobe Photoshop CS5, or a guest speaker coming in and giving their insight to the market.

I encourage any photographer, young or old, in high school, college, or a professional to consider joining an organization. The organizations usually have a yearly membership fee. However, they offer great rates for students and up and coming photographers. They give you access to a wide variety of information in regards to contracts, model releases, continuing education, & networking.

See what is available in your city!

Senior Representatives

Amy Van Epps Photography is looking for 5 senior reps for the 2011-2012 school year from Orange and Seminole counties. Senior Reps are students who represent Amy Van Epps Photography in exchange for credits toward the cost of their own senior pictures. It is possible for a rep to save hundreds of dollars on the cost of their own senior portraits by referring their friends and classmates. Candidates must be a senior during 2011-2012 school year and are outgoing, energetic, have a great style and have tons of school spirit. As a rep you will receive a complementary senior session (a $150 value), 50 rep cards to pass out to friends and classmates, as well as complementary Facebook portraits.

Do you think you would be an ideal candidate to be a senior rep? Please call or e-mail me at amy@amyvanepps.com to find out more information. My website and my Facebook page