Well, what a year.
After two years of horrendous C-word related stress, we were due a good’un, weren’t we? And 2022 did not disappoint! Check out my year end review below.
For myself and many other wedding suppliers, getting to the end of the 2022 wedding season meant that we could officially say goodbye to the last of our pandemic postponements. Finally all of our couples who should have married in 2020 have now managed to tie the knot, and I think that in itself is worth celebrating!
Personal Highlights.
I knew that this would be a great year when, just four days into it, I travelled to New York with my partner and he asked me to marry him in front of the Rockefeller Christmas tree. Talk about starting the new year off with a bang! NYC had always been high on my bucket list – seeing that magical Christmas tree in particular – and I was devastated when our original trip was postponed in Jan 2021. But hey, good things come to those who wait, right – and I couldn’t have picked a more perfect proposal.
2022 was also the year that I finally quit my day job to work for myself full-time. Something I had dreamt of doing for years! I do say I partly have C*vid to thank for this – with the backlog of weddings it created making this my busiest year in business yet – so I guess there is some silver lining to the whole thing!
Some Stats for all the Stats Fans!
36 weddings photographed, including 2 destination weddings.
32 couple shoots photographed, including 1 destination couple shoot.
21 wedding venues worked at for the first time.
6 trips abroad, including 2 destination content trips.
Over 4900 miles driven for work (SO annoyingly close to 5000, I know!)
Over 35,000 images edited!
New (to me) Venue Love.
As I mentioned in my stats, 2022 saw me photographing at 21 venues that I had never worked at before. With new enquiries I often get asked if I’ve shot at their venue previously. Honestly, that’s rarely the case – and I kind of prefer it that way. With working at new venues I’m able to shoot with fresh eyes and ideas in mind, instead of reverting to the same backdrops and poses I used the last time I was there.
Some of my favourite venues from this year have been The Gardens in Yalding, with it’s beautiful outdoor wedding space; Caswell House, a gorgeous stone barn in the Cotswolds; and The Night Yard in Canterbury, a stunning glasshouse nestled away in the Kent countryside.
Investing in Myself.
With 2022 being my first wedding season as a full-time wedding photographer, it was also the year I really wanted to up my game. It’s so important to always be learning and trying to improve, no matter what stage you’re at. So many times people get to where they wanted to be and just stop going forwards, and I didn’t want that to be me.
This year I’ve spent a decent chunk of money on destination workshops, photographing styled shoots in both Morocco and Paris. Having not photographed a wedding abroad for the last 2 years for obvious reasons, I really wanted to update and build upon my destination wedding photography portfolio. Since sharing this new inspirational destination wedding content I’ve booked not one, but two destination weddings in 2023. So I’d say it was definitely worth the investment!
Being a self-employed wedding photographer is not just about having a knockout portfolio, though. That’s why, as well as the practical photography workshops, I also invested in some business courses this year. Having spent the year learning from other successful photographers and business people I’m not only more confident in myself and my technical ability, but I’m so much more inspired with ideas for growth and diversification, and have a clear direction of where I want my business to go in the future.
Goals for 2023.
Whilst 2022 was a super successful and exciting year for my business, it was also a year full of very hard work and little time off. One of my goals for 2023 is to actually cap the number of weddings I take on. This will allow me to really give all my couples the best experience and not burn myself out from all the editing! I’m also making a conscious effort to keep one weekend a month free with no weddings booked during peak season, as well as taking half of August off (usually my business month!) for my own wedding and mini-moon – photographers and videographers take note, it’s ok to put your own wellbeing first!
Education, Education, Education.
Another goal of mine for 2023 is to move into more of an educational role for other photographers who are starting their businesses. Since the very first wedding I photographed in 2014 I have learnt A LOT about how to be a successful wedding photographer, and it’s time I passed that knowledge on. I’ve recently released mentoring sessions which are available to book in 1-hour or 4-hour sessions, and there’s a lot more to come soon so head over to my shop if this is of interest to you!
Make Sure to Tune in for 2023’s Year End Review!
2023 is shaping up to be one hell of a year and I cannot wait to capture so many more wonderful weddings, including all of these these beauties below. Not to mention finally having my own! Whilst I hate to wish the time away, I’m so excited to see all the things I get to write about in 2023’s year-end review. Watch this space!
Are you searching for your perfect wedding photographer? Whether you’re planning your nuptials near or far, I’d absolutely love to chat about your plans. Get in touch with me here and give me all the details!
