Full time or part time wedding photographer?

i am originally a structural engineer that is working in supply chain, logistics and purchasing department for the second biggest cement factory in the whole world, and i am starting my wedding photography buisness.

Will it be possible to do both or will i have to leave my work??

what about you? are you a full time WP or a part timer that have a main day job??

I'm part time right now, working in semiconductor manufacturing during the day and doing wedding photography on the weekends. It's exhausting but very rewarding. I am setting a target of quitting my "day" job within 2 years. Until then, I plan on booking 10-15 weddings a year so as not to burn myself out.

I work as a state manager for a company as well as running a wedding business that does 20+ weddings a year. Be prepared for a lot of late nights.

I just started my part time wedding photography business about a year ago and work full-time as a network administrator for a small company. I also have computer repair business that brings in a little money every now and then. I have no time table set for quiting my day job but hope to shoot at least 10 weddings next year...

I think it really depends on what your first job is, what your hours are and how much wedding photography you want to do. I'm a teacher, so I rarely have conflicts and I'm off summers when most weddings occur, so it's a good match between my two jobs.

Materials buyer in the manufacturing world M-F 8am to 5pm. Military (Navy) Reservist at least 1 w/e per month (some evenings during the week as well), and wedding photographer/portrait photographer in between all of that...needless to say, my wife gets frustrated with me being gone alot.

Was part time for YEARS, being a full time Crime Scene Investigator.

Took early retirement as the business grew, which by the way I never planned on. I was quite happy being a weekend warrior, making clients happy, enjoying this artform and learning as I went. However as the doors opened we walked through them and one thing lead to the next and I was able to retire and move onto what I really wanted to do when I finally grew up, photography!

Part time for me (weekends).
I work full time as a medical photographer within the health service (good pension).
Cheers
Rob

If you actually have to ask, I'd say part time.

Best of luck with your endavours though.

Cheers,

I think most start part time, without financial foundations and a lot of cash in the bank it is difficult to start straight to full time.

One thing I would say is look at farming out work such as Raw processing, colour correction etc. Even album design and printing. This will mean your expenses are more, but add them to your packages and you will have loads more time to still work.

Most people find it really difficult to run a business, work full time and have time for the family. It will be a strain, especially when your bookings fill up, but not enough to go full time.

Andy

I'm a full time photography student 12 credit hours. My classes are Monday thru Thursday and then I have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday available for weddings and photo shoots. I find time to process the images and get my homework done somewhere in there. When I have my 4 year degree I plan on having a baby and then doing an aggressive advertising campaign to launch my full time status. I'm able to keep on top of everything because my schedule is somewhat flexible.

Mike Fulton wrote in post #4189945
Was part time for YEARS, being a full time Crime Scene Investigator.

Took early retirement as the business grew, which by the way I never planned on. I was quite happy being a weekend warrior, making clients happy, enjoying this artform and learning as I went. However as the doors opened we walked through them and one thing lead to the next and I was able to retire and move onto what I really wanted to do when I finally grew up, photography!

Wow mike..what's the transition like from still objects to motion?

Is there such a thing as "part time" wedding photographer?¬!!!!

Weve shot 20 weddings this year whilst doing another full time job and its definitely more like having 2 full time jobs than one full time and one part time!

xtravaluemeal1 wrote in post #4191488
Wow mike..what's the transition like from still objects to motion?

Im still photographing death, just now it is a lot longer and slower death in the wedding business.

I mean its Dead Man Walking on their wedding day Right

Mike Fulton wrote in post #4189945
Was part time for YEARS, being a full time Crime Scene Investigator.

Took early retirement as the business grew, which by the way I never planned on. I was quite happy being a weekend warrior, making clients happy, enjoying this artform and learning as I went. However as the doors opened we walked through them and one thing lead to the next and I was able to retire and move onto what I really wanted to do when I finally grew up, photography!

The idea of early retirement sounds fantastic!

Banbert wrote in post #4191616
Is there such a thing as "part time" wedding photographer?¬!!!!

Weve shot 20 weddings this year whilst doing another full time job and its definitely more like having 2 full time jobs than one full time and one part time!

I agree! We also still have a 'day job' as financial security with weddings being a bit seasonal... Booking about 2 weddings a month max at the moment though to allow the time to process etc in the evenings.