One of the biggest things that people are surprised to learn about my job is that photography itself is actually a very small percentage of what I do! I actually consider myself a small business owner first and foremost, and a photographer second because if all of the things going on behind the scenes aren’t running smoothly, I wouldn’t be able to go out and photograph all of the fun people we get to work with.

I love learning about what other people do behind the scenes as part of their jobs, so I thought this would be a fun post to share! Sort of a peek inside what it’s like to be a wedding photographer during the “off season” when we’re not shooting.

Here’s a little peek into what I’m normally working on during my “slower” months!

• Taxes
• Skypes and conference calls with potential clients
• Re-ordering packaging materials
• Blogging (…lots of blogging!)
• Book travel arrangements for the rest of the season
• Maintaining a consistent social media presence (writing copy, scheduling posts, etc)
• Submitting wedding work from the past season
• Updates to my website and portfolio
• Re-evaluating pricing and changing if necessary
• Designing marketing materials
• Planning future workshops
• Networking events
• Emails (this is an all the time, daily thing!)
• Ordering albums
• Creating new systems and processes for busy season
• Sending equipment to be serviced & possibly repaired
• Updating and renewing business licenses/insurance/etc
• Bookkeeping
• Brainstorming new business ideas
• Getting schooled (conferences, mentoring, etc)
• Schooling others (coaching other small business owners and photographers, both in person and via skype)
• Scheduling engagement/bridal/boudoir sessions for current clients
• Reading business books
• Helping my couples with their wedding day timelines
• Updating contracts
• Sending invoices

Whew! And, this isn’t an all encompassing list! I’ve found during my time as a full time wedding photographer that owning your own business can mean doing all kinds of things (sometimes random things!) in the name of growing the business or serving clients to the best of my ability. Many of the things in the above list also happen regularly during “busy” season, but during off season, I have a little bit more time to dedicate to them since I’m not actively shooting every single weekend and editing during the week. If you’re a photographer, I’d love to hear about what YOU do during the off season! And if you’re not a photog, I’d love to hear what you’re most surprised to hear that we do when we aren’t shooting ???? As always, thanks for stopping by to read today!