how do you guys balance day time job with weekend wedding shoot?

it was easy for a while, I just didn't have any other life
two jobs, little sleep, life was good though.

now I have a baby. talking about no sleep. day job/baby time/photography
that leaves little down time & I'm whooped!

scorpio_e wrote in post #16217936
Fortunately my wife helps with the culling and album design.

this is where I really need help. gotta get my wife to help instead of playing candy crush while i'm culling

scorpio_e wrote in post #16217936
There is no balancing. You work alot. You do have the option to turn gigs down .

true story. you just have to work hard and constantly.

scorpio_e wrote in post #16217936
You do have the option to turn gigs down .

thank god I turned down as many gigs as I did this summer because of the baby. still had enough booked before we found out we were pregnant that we are quite busy this summer.

I'm still working through it. As far as I can see there isn't any balance for a while. If you are aiming to build your photography business to replace your full time income then you work all the time. At this point I'm even taking vacation days to shoot midweek events.

If you are looking for life balance, starting your own business may not be the right choice.

bigarchi wrote in post #16220954
this is where I really need help. gotta get my wife to help instead of playing candy crush while i'm culling

TOO funny *LOL* My wife gets sidetracked on that game. If you could get her to cull, that is a HUGE help !!!!

Phil V wrote in post #16220420
2, What's a 'wedding season''? Whilst many photographers are busier in the height of summer, our weddings stretch right through the year. This year starting in March and stretching into December.

It's quite different here. The really busy season is June to September. May and October are pretty scattered for weddings. That is four months you gotta make your year's quota for a successful wedding business. For the other 8 months of the year, weddings booked in this time are just a bonus. It gets pretty stressful from a sales and workflow point of view, and all the wedding vendors are fighting for these precious few weekends to make their quotas to have a successful year.

It is tough. But I think I've arrived at a comfortable amount. Also am picking and choosing weddings that I want to shoot. Stuff that interests me. I doubt I will leave my FT job because the pension plan is too good. Also the benefits are great for my family.

Have begun outsourcing clerical activities, client calls, and album designs to my wife. She has now quit her day time job to help the business. The great thing is she can also take care of our two girls.

We also BOOK ourselves first.

I work a FT job and shoot weddings/engagements on the side.

It's not that bad. My Saturday's are shot, but I usually take Sunday completly off. Monday night I edit and that's that. I manage the rest of the business from my FT job during breaks and lunch.

Edit: I should also mention that from November-April it's very slow. A scattered family shoot and studio session here and there.

I am scared just reading you guys messages.

Wedding season in New Zealand is Jan to April, only four months. There's a few on the two months bordering, but little else.

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #16220518
Over here there is pretty much a 3 month drop off in the winter where no one gets married. There are quite big differences in the seasons and people don't favour the cold. Unlike South Yorkshire (I'm from Sheffield) where the weather is pretty crappy all year around and Summer tends to be on a Thursday once a year.

I suppose, our 'winter' has some interest too, with Christmas themed weddings etc.

What made you leave Sheffield btw

If I am working the whole weekend, I take the Monday off.

Phil V wrote in post #16223507
What made you leave Sheffield btw

Not much to stay for Still I can buy Henderson's relish at my local supermarket out her in Perth though

picard wrote in post #16216717
how do you guys balance day time job with weekend wedding shoot?

I am so exhausted from long commute 1 1/2 hr drive each way to work.

work from home some days
get another job
move closer

Our weddings by month in 2013: Jan-0, Feb-2, Mar-1, Apr-3, May-4, Jun-5, Jul-2, Aug-3, Sep-0, Oct-2, Nov-1, Dec-2. Somewhat unpredictable (more in winter than fall this year), but as stated above, vendors offer discounts during winter months. This clearly doesn't apply worldwide, but our climate lends itself to year around wedding possibilities. However, most years have proven to be very slow in Dec, Jan, and Feb, while very busy in spring and fall months.

All that to say, manage finances to fit a sporadic income. Financial management should be required course in high school and college, but that's another debate.