So when are you too old?

Providing you can manage competently with the equipment you use and you are physically able to keep up with the pace you are fine.

Hey I'm 33 with a back in the state of a 70 year old (I have had a severely prolapsed disc since I was 19 and sciatica). I have arthritis, carpal tunnel and ligament problems in my right wrist and need another surgery when I can fit it in (my fifth on that wrist) and recently had had the left wrist operated on last year for numerous things. Whilst I can still manage the job physically though I will continue with it (just be aware of any limitations that you may have).

Oh an before anyone wonders how I hold a camera... I can manage an DSLR just fine as the weight of the equipment keeps my wrists fairly static. I cannot however use a point and shoot or camera phone to save without major camera shake.

Oh, sorry. You already said you worked out... Either way, I think you can keep going as long as you choose. And when the time comes when you choose not too, it will probably be because you have something else you'd rather do.

Besides, does it always have to be weddings? What about mixing in some easier portrait work. Half of business is selling yourself anyway. You never know, you could hook up with something you never thought of to make some cash.

I don't think it's possible to shoot a wedding properly and NOT be in pain during or immediately after. It's too physically strenuous, regardless of age. The way we run around, carry heavy things, and think critically & quickly, it's practically a sporting event.

canoned wrote in post #12567246
The thing that concerns me more than the physical aspects of wedding photography, is how much longer are young couples going to want 2 old folks shooting there wedding. We are current and young at heart, but I think our age is what is limiting our bookings.

I sometimes feel the same way, but I don't worry about it. I've been told more than once that my couples feel more comfortable with an "older more experienced" photographer than a younger one.

Besides, age is a state of mind. Even though I'm in my early 60's, I don't act like an old fart. I have two daughters in their mid 20's so I can relate to brides and the mother of the bride. That's a win-win.

^^^ 'as above'
I too started late I am 54 and started doing weddings at 51. My daughter assists me and she also is exhausted the day after a wedding . She is half my age.

jcolman wrote in post #12569138
I sometimes feel the same way, but I don't worry about it. I've been told more than once that my couples feel more comfortable with an "older more experienced" photographer than a younger one.

Besides, age is a state of mind. Even though I'm in my early 60's, I don't act like an old fart. I have two daughters in their mid 20's so I can relate to brides and the mother of the bride. That's a win-win.

What a lot of the older photographers do around here when they go to bridal shows, is hire young vibrant girls to act as their "representatives". I notice that they kind of hide in the background and only make themselves noticed if someone is really interested. They also hire young assistants and second shooters to keep up the appearance of youth. I'm sure this also helps with the physical demands. I've been taking my 13 year old Grandson and it really helps. He is a heck of a photographer. He loves taking the ground level shots and the 45 degree angle stuff that seems in vogue. I usually use several of his shots, he carries equipment and I pay him $75. This is definitely a win-win situation.

I'm 51. And while I view weddings as a young man's game, I still have a lot of years left in me. I'm pretty physical when I'm shooting and I'll start to feel my back getting tired midway during the reception, but I usually feel pretty good the next day.

I think about transitioning to portraits one day where I have more control over the schedule and pace and the work is broken into smaller chunks. But for now, I'm more than happy to get out there.

First of all, thanks for all the responses!

D Thompson wrote in post #12565467
I'm a little older than you and I wake up most mornings aching whether I've done anything or not. Welcome to life as an older fart.

Excuse me, I prefer seasoned fart.

jcolman wrote in post #12566233
Bunch of youngsters all up in this thread. I'm 61 and, while I have my share of aches and pains, I'm still going strong.

Your reply really gives me encouragement because I admire your work so much. Your work certainly is ageless.

jerrybsmith wrote in post #12566425
I turn 56 this year and still enjoy the pace. Morning after feels like I've run a marathon and in a way, I have.

You know, one thing this thread had reminded me, that I was forgetting to consider, is that any hard work is going to make a person (of any age) feel some kind of after-effects. Considering all that the shoot includes, now I'm feeling pretty good about how I feel the day afterwards!

Svetlana wrote in post #12566974
I'm 30 and I have a chiropractor and massage scheduled every few weeks! lol )) I have wedding hangovers the next day when I can't move my arms and legs after a full day of shooting ) My joint hurt and I'm so thankful I found an amazing assistant to carry my bags because my back is acting, too. Ugh...haha

Yeah, there's a local photog couple who are very popular & I went to a seminar they spoke at & they get a massage either before or after every (EVERY) wedding they do. I think that probably helps ease the pain a lot! I def make sure I get my chiropractic adjustment each month.

canoned wrote in post #12567246
I'm 58 and my wife is 56. I usually carry a minimum of 2 cameras with flashes and a small bag with extra cards, batteries, etc. When I was 21 I stayed till the end of the reception, now I struggle to stay till 10:00. I've had a heart attack in 2006 and I have a disease where my back and neck is fusing into 1 solid stiff rod, but I still keep plugging away. Down to about 18 weddings a year from 40+ when I was young.

My wife usually has 1 camera with her. It kicks her butt also. She has bad knees and hips. But we both keep active all day, always moving, averaging 1500 images per wedding.

The thing that concerns me more than the physical aspects of wedding photography, is how much longer are young couples going to want 2 old folks shooting there wedding. We are current and young at heart, but I think our age is what is limiting our bookings. That, and the fact that there is at least a dozen new young photographers getting in the biz every year here it T-town. Charging rock bottom prices and taking all the pictures at weird angles.

Ed & Diane

Wow, Ed-- you & your wife are two tough cookies! If you guys can cope with the difficulties you have, then I should be able to keep going with no problem! I feel like I should stop whining now. On the issue of not attracting couples becuase of age, I suppose that could happen (& I will find out if I keep at this long enough!) but I feel that if a couple chooses to interview with you because they love your work, that's what they'll base their decision on. If you can confidently tell them you can deliver the same quality & style of photos they've looked at & love, you'll be fine.

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #12568090
Providing you can manage competently with the equipment you use and you are physically able to keep up with the pace you are fine.

Hey I'm 33 with a back in the state of a 70 year old (I have had a severely prolapsed disc since I was 19 and sciatica). I have arthritis, carpal tunnel and ligament problems in my right wrist and need another surgery when I can fit it in (my fifth on that wrist) and recently had had the left wrist operated on last year for numerous things. Whilst I can still manage the job physically though I will continue with it (just be aware of any limitations that you may have).

Oh an before anyone wonders how I hold a camera... I can manage an DSLR just fine as the weight of the equipment keeps my wrists fairly static. I cannot however use a point and shoot or camera phone to save without major camera shake.

Another inspiring story! Rock on, dude.

samueli wrote in post #12568170
Oh, sorry. You already said you worked out... Either way, I think you can keep going as long as you choose. And when the time comes when you choose not too, it will probably be because you have something else you'd rather do.

Besides, does it always have to be weddings? What about mixing in some easier portrait work. Half of business is selling yourself anyway. You never know, you could hook up with something you never thought of to make some cash.

You hit on something I brought up when my husband & I were discussing this-- branching off into other, easier areas of photography if weddings gets too hard. Up til now it's been kind of hard, becuase I've had a 30 hr week bank job so it only left weekends, which, of course, are taken up with weddings, engagements, bridals. But as of Sept. 9 I will officially be a FULL TIME photographer so that's why this discussion has become such a hot topic for us. I'll be giving up full time benefits, so it's a big deal, but the benefits we'll get as a family we feel are more important (more time together, more time for oue spiritual activities, less exhaustion from me doing basically 2 jobs). Anyhoo, I digress; the point was I'll soon have much more time during the week to accomodate family, children, and senior sessions, which could become an avenue, hopefully, of enough income to replace weddings if they become too difficult. I really hope that's a long ways off, though, because I really love the energy & excitiement of wedding shoots, regardless of the ensuing exhaustion!

Valjoy wrote in post #12569176
^^^ 'as above'
I too started late I am 54 and started doing weddings at 51. My daughter assists me and she also is exhausted the day after a wedding . She is half my age.

Well that has to make you feel pretty good! Good for you!

canoned wrote in post #12569193
I've been taking my 13 year old Grandson and it really helps. He is a heck of a photographer. He loves taking the ground level shots and the 45 degree angle stuff that seems in vogue. I usually use several of his shots, he carries equipment and I pay him $75. This is definitely a win-win situation.

I have a 10 yr old grandson, maybe I need to start his training!

Peacefield wrote in post #12569232
I'm 51. And while I view weddings as a young man's game, I still have a lot of years left in me. I'm pretty physical when I'm shooting and I'll start to feel my back getting tired midway during the reception, but I usually feel pretty good the next day.

I think about transitioning to portraits one day where I have more control over the schedule and pace and the work is broken into smaller chunks. But for now, I'm more than happy to get out there.

You're another one whose work inspires me & I'm surprised & encouraged to know we're in the same age bracket. Sounds like our thinking on future possibilities is similar. Thanks for the post!

When you decide you are too old!

I am 58 and certainly have my share of aches and pains as well as get tired and ready for bed around 10PM but my "real" job is very physical. Even a long wedding is not nearly as tiring as 8 hours at work but I make way too much money at work to quit when I can afford great equipment from my full time income.

My 22 year old DIL and I shoot together: she works at a desk and really complains about arms and shoulders the next couple of days. Of course, she is not ready for bed until the wee hours of the morning so we make a good team! She does all the really low shots, the late shots and I can carry around 2 cameras and big lenses for hours.

And we do find Brides that want maturity and some that want the young, fresh photographer. I find that pretty funny since she has far more experience and formal training than I do.

I'm just shy of 62 and my wife/shooting partner just turned 61. Yeah, we both have aches and pains toward the end of the evening and the next morning, but we are still going strong. We love doing what we are doing and are not ready to quit anytime soon.

Im 54 and photographed a wedding on Friday, Saturday and one on Monday. Monday night i felt way too old for this krap. Tuesday, i was dead and sat in front of the computer processing. Thursday came along and I was like..that wasnt so bad. I could do that again. Back to backs kick my butt, no doubt. But we live in Minnesota so really, unless im get lucky and grab a few winter weddings, we only work 8 months out of the year with this business. So you grind it out and take it when you can get it. I will rest in December, heading to the carribean in January, California for february,,back at it in March.

Your as old as you feel. Unless you do alot of back to backs:p

I guess you're too old when you can't see, but barring that, you should be good.

Shoot until I'm dead. That's my hope!

My 57 year old Mom rocked a shoot with me once. The pain is there whether you are 70 or 17 so I wouldn't use that as a sign you should stop. If you keep your body healthy and stay active you should be able to shoot until retirement (65-70) assuming you get no health issues that bench you. I would hire a 47 year old photographer without batting an eye. I'd also hire a fit 60 year old without batting an eye.

I don’t think there's an age limit for wedding photography, I mean your unlikely to see a 90year old wedding photographer but I’ve certainly seen several 60years old+

Its all about your fitness and personal satisfaction, I could easily see myself photographing weddings into retirement but I would certainly stop if I found it too hard going.
I normally spend 10hrs+ running about on my feet during weddings, I certainly know about it the day after and I’m only 25! It would probably help if I had better shoes though, I can happily walk miles in walking boots without any subsequent pain but leather shoes without any support always result in pain.

umphotography wrote in post #12571342
Im 54 and photographed a wedding on Friday, Saturday and one on Monday. Monday night i felt way too old for this krap. Tuesday, i was dead and sat in front of the computer processing. Thursday came along and I was like..that wasnt so bad. I could do that again. Back to backs kick my butt, no doubt. But we live in Minnesota so really, unless im get lucky and grab a few winter weddings, we only work 8 months out of the year with this business. So you grind it out and take it when you can get it. I will rest in December, heading to the carribean in January, California for february,,back at it in March.

Your as old as you feel. Unless you do alot of back to backs:p

I can so relate! Not so much the back to back weddings since I haven't had those yet, but just the loooong days, from noon till midnight; on the ride home I'm thinking, "No way I can keep doing this," then the next morning I'm like wow, I am beat, but by that evening I'm looking over the images & thinking "What a great life!"