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For wedding photographers, the pandemic was a huge blow to their businesses. But even after the big events started to make a comeback in the past year, COVID continues to have a dramatic impact on the business landscape of wedding photography.
The wedding industry has been devastated by the pandemic, and while recent studies have shown that most believe the photography industry is returning to normal, the impact of Covid on event photography, and weddings in particular, is hard to ignore and far from complete.
Based in San Diego, Sarah France is a highly successful wedding photographer, an image artist for Sony, and a consultant for the company’s Alpha Female program. She spoke to them. PetaPixel About the challenges she’s faced navigating her wedding business since Covid, but also working as a teacher and educator, Frances is uniquely poised to explain how other wedding photographers are adapting to the changes the pandemic has brought to the wedding industry.
One big difference between the wedding industry of 2019 and 2022 is who is still shooting.
“There has been a drastic change in photographers. So many photographers decide to do something else when new photographers enter the industry,” she says.
France says those who have decided to keep their businesses afloat through the pandemic face a business landscape that continues to change. Photographers who started postponing and helping their clients during the pandemic (as well as figuring out how to survive without any active weddings) now have to struggle to break even under the weight of a heavy workload. Continuing physical ritual plans.
“It’s been a huge adjustment and many are still trying to figure out the new normal. For our businesses, we hope they come away stronger with better practices and stronger relationships,” she said.
Those hit hard by the pandemic are still dealing with what can be seen as both a blessing and a curse.
“Last year we worked twice with all the extensions [from clients] In the year Due in 2020 but not getting their wedding until 2021 or 2022. So photographers feel overworked and underpaid in most cases,” she says.
“More wedding photographers than ever are seeing the migration and need to know how to measure and capture the volume while capturing it.”
Of all the photography disciplines, wedding photographers are typically among the most community-oriented. Until 2020, national and regional meetings and conventions were common. This has changed.
“The lack of community and in-person gatherings, coupled with the extreme turnover of photographers, has left many without the community they once had,” France explains.
Not only is the sense of belonging and support now lost, but the drastic change has caused more practical problems.
“The lack of community has made it difficult to find and hire quality second-hand photographers or assistants,” she says.
The threat of the disease is great.
While many may think the epidemic is a thing of the past, wedding photographers know the truth: it’s still a serious issue.
“Also, there are a lot of last-minute changes because people have Covid,” French said. “I’ve seen wedding party changes and last-minute adjustments due to people getting sick, and on top of that there are new people insisting their wedding vendors get vaccinated.”
As expected, wedding photographers were “powered” when they were sick.
“I’ve had to skip more than once now for someone who has Covid and can’t shoot an event,” says Frances. “You need to have backup options for these situations so that your clients are left without a photographer. Also, your contract now wants to cover you for this situation.”
The challenges of adoption
Despite the challenges that wedding photographers face, there are opportunities for those who enter the business during the pandemic to succeed and fill gaps.
France says there are a few things photographers need to keep in mind to navigate the various new challenges wedding photographers face.
“Put yourself first,” she says. “Get support and make sure you don’t overwork yourself. Outsource where you can because it will help you deal with volume fluctuations.”
On the same note, France says it is important to reestablish a supportive community whenever possible.
“Get a backup. You need a photo and office backup in case something happens and you get sick. Some of my favorite resources are Shoot Dot Edit, Tave, Sony Community, and Gusto,” she says.
“Tap into your community. Everyone is struggling and needs help right now,” French says, adding that it’s a good idea to help other vendors, especially wedding planners.
“If there’s one market that’s had a tougher time of it, it’s wedding planners. They had to plan the same wedding twice and deal with every issue imaginable. The more you support others, the more you are the ones who need help.
It is important to know the cost of wedding photography now.
“Raise your price,” she says. “Your prices should be at least 10% higher than they were pre-pandemic, if not for inflation. If you haven’t raised them, you’re now at a discount.”
She also says it’s important to be as thorough as possible in customer relations.
“Talk to customers about your policies and be very open and honest – this will help a lot if something happens,” France added. “If you don’t have a clear policy, talk to your photographers and get one and make sure you put that in writing.”
While it’s hard to think of every possible scenario, she says, there are a few key things to consider:
“What if he gets sick? What if the wedding needs to be postponed? What happens to their money? Can they use it in the future? How long and in what way?” she suggests. “Putting time limits and restrictions on things is a good way to manage expectations.”
The loss of many wedding photographers means that their clients have a much smaller pool of shooters to choose from. That means those who have weathered the worst of the pandemic are well positioned to fill those gaps.
“Now is the time to focus on relationships and marketing. The changes in the industry have left new opportunities everywhere and there has never been a better time to be in business and to come fast,” she said.
As long as photographers are prepared and have the right headspace, France says the effects of the pandemic are not all bad, at least from a business perspective.
“I think there are good and bad effects that come after the pandemic. People are more excited than ever to get married and appreciate the benefits of having their loved ones there and together. They are ready to celebrate and the weddings have a new energy around them,” she says.
“People are more aware of change and more flexible. I think you can understand more after you’ve experienced more change.”
Image Credits: Sarah France
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