{"id":1709,"date":"2012-10-26T08:00:53","date_gmt":"2012-10-26T12:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ten2tenphotography.com\/?p=1709"},"modified":"2013-05-04T03:36:14","modified_gmt":"2013-05-04T07:36:14","slug":"part-2-how-to-be-a-wedding-photographer-and-keep-your-friends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ten2tenphotography.com\/part-2-how-to-be-a-wedding-photographer-and-keep-your-friends\/","title":{"rendered":"Part 2: How to be a Wedding Photographer AND Keep your Friends!"},"content":{"rendered":"

In case you missed last week’s article<\/a>, which set the scene for today’s article, take a minute to read it<\/a>!  Last week’s article included five crucial facts you need to know if you have friends who are wedding photographers but this week’s article will examine the other side of the coin and is geared towards photographers.  So to all my dear wedding photographer friends, happy reading!<\/em><\/p>\n

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How to be a Wedding Photographer who still has Friends!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Trust me – I know how hard it can be!  When your job takes you away from your friends and family on most weekends, keeping up your social commitments can seem next to impossible.  Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that have helped me balance worklife with a social life.<\/p>\n

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Fact #1:<\/strong>  Don’t mix business with pleasure<\/em><\/p>\n

If you’re going to a party\/reunion\/bbq\/bridal shower\/bachelorette\/etc, leave your camera at home!  Unless you have been hired to be the official photographer of the day, you need to leave the gear at home.  The minute you bring your camera to an event that you haven’t been asked to photograph, you’re setting a dangerous precedent!  Your friends and family will think that it’s okay for them to ask in the future (and it’s not!)  You’re there to enjoy yourself so keep the gear at home.  (Oh, and the same goes for that smartphone of yours… leave it alone for a few hours!)<\/p>\n

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Fact #2:<\/strong>  Stay organized & establish a workflow early on in your career<\/em><\/p>\n

As Alton Brown<\/a> says repeatedly in one of my favourite Food Network shows ever, “Organization will set you free!”  When Alton says it, he’s referring to cooking, but when I say it, I’m referring to your workflow and time management.  Staying organized helps to not only complete your tasks in an efficient manner, but it allows you to schedule ‘fun time’ into your week without any negative repercussions.  Establishing your workflow and knowing how long it will generally take is also important.  If you have no idea how much time it will take you to edit your photos and complete your other essential tasks (ie: creating galleries, a blog entry, social media sneak peeks, and backup copies) then you’re sure to fall behind in your work.  If you fall behind, not only will you have no time to socialize, but you’ll also have angry clients!<\/p>\n

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Fact #3:<\/strong>  Share your schedule<\/em><\/p>\n

You don’t need to post your every movement and daily schedule on a blog, but if you know you have a free weekend in the near future, share this with your friends and family!  Consider having all your friends and family over to your<\/em> place so you can see everyone at once.  This will show that you’re making the effort to keep your relationships strong and your friends and family will appreciate this.<\/p>\n