15 Lessons from 10 Years as a Wedding Photographer.

[@luisin69ful]

Hi Luke, I’m turning 55 this year and I’m returning to wedding photography as it is my passion. I started in early 90s shooting medium format and 35 mm. I was away from photography due to medical reasons but last year I was able to shoot 8 weddings and this 2024 I’m ready to do what I always love to do. Document weddings through my camera. Keep up with your good work Luke.

[@allisonreber5857]

Love your honesty. It's really inspiring and gives energy ;) Thanks

[@lukewtcleland]

Thank you!! So glad to hear!

[@blissfuleducation]

Hi Luke, I came across your channel and i just love your energy, this video is so true and so well said!

[@lukewtcleland]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it - thanks for watching!

[@martingrierson1152]

Excellent tips and well put together. Most are applicable to other businesses and to life too. 😊

[@lukewtcleland]

Totally! Thanks for watching!

[@adamwestphoto]

Love your style Luke. Warts 'n 'all honesty. Refreshing to see and hear. You really helped me out. Thanks.

[@lukewtcleland]

Thank you!! Glad you find it helpful!

[@Orderandsuch]

I found your page a couple of days ago and I find your content so incredibly helpful and encouraging. So much of it resonated with me. One of the hardest parts of being a photographer for me is how competitive, and then unkind- photographers have been to me through out my career. I meet people expecting the kind, friendly faces I see on their pages and then in person they are very different. It's been discouraging & lonely. I've been burned so many times, watching this video made me feel less alone. Thank you.

[@sharonswan9861]

Thank you for being that open and generous person

[@TheBlacksnake15]

Hey Luke! I've also seen a lot of successful jerk photographers. I think ego is one of the curses around the whole photography industry itself. I mean, not only weddings, but other genres too. I know also I don't want to be like them. As that lady photographer you met, I want my business to be abundant and generous in the inside and the outside as well. Maybe this sound too "utopia"-y but it's how I feel about it. What you give it's gonna be returned to you twice or more. It's simple karma. Being a rockstar photographer maybe is cool and everything, but that shouldn’t make you change as a person. At the end, most of the photographer out there come from nothing. Humility should be one of the most important soft skills for anyone aspiring to be a photographer in my own opinion.

[@lukewtcleland]

Really great thoughts here. And no I totally agree, I love what you said - humility should be a skill everyone should learn and continue to use!! I was just talking to a very successful tech CEO, and he said a lot of arrogant, jerks can be successful, but in his experience the MOST successful, are humble and generous. Thanks for watching, and for sharing your thoughts!

[@purecitysounds2785]

Just stumbled across your channel a few days ago, and this video was just what I needed to hear. I am in those early stages of my business, and your advice really connected with me. I love what you said about not wanting to be a jerk and about advertising. So thank you!!

[@veronikaward7224]

Thank you so so much! That really helped me today....the comparison thing especially :)

[@martinsrensen3869]

Thank you for sharing

[@julierings4882]

Hey Luke. I saw your interior photography on your website and would be so curious how you managed lighting in different interior situations. Maybe a future video?

[@lukewtcleland]

Hey! I've thought about doing a video on that for sure. I've also though about putting more extensive work into that and making a course about it. It's something I really enjoy doing, and there's lots in that topic!

[@BoxingTunes]

Great video! Thanks for all the honest advice. How would you suggest ways to build a portfolio if the option of friends getting married isn’t there?

[@Kizotina]

Great channel man!

[@lukewtcleland]

thanks very much!!

[@kajstenman]

Thank you so much for sharing so generously, what you are saying here is a life lesson and it is really easy to understand why clients feel relaxed in your company.

[@lukewtcleland]

Thanks for watching! That's very kind thanks!

[@AndreaJang-lr6ph]

I wonder which photographer you met at the conference!! Would love to follow her work. But also I love binge watching all your videos as I edit :)

[@zakcole2229]

So good Luke. Hugely helpful me as I begin my journey as a professional photographer and videographer here in Hamburg. I’m a Kiwi who met a German girl…

[@lukewtcleland]

Awesome! Exciting journey!

[@liauchungren848]

Very interesting share, I'm in international wire service, nevertheless, I fully sympathise with your own experience as a Pro, and how you feel about the industry you're involved in. You have shared your honest opinion with your peers.

[@lorindak.photography9099]

Yes !

[@CareyP]

Hey Luke Love your videos! I have looked but I don't see anything about what website you use to host and run your business off? I am looking to start a business after many years as a photog and have no idea which sites are the bests for a photog business! any insite you could give would be greatly appreciated!

[@lukewtcleland]

Thanks Carey! That's a great idea for a video, I'll add it to the list!