5 Years, 100 Weddings, and a Few Grey Hairs Later

Monday was my birthday (!) and between that and prepping for my latest Wedding Photography Toolkit Launch, I’ve been feeling all the nostalgic feels.

Back in 2019, I charged my very first client 269 euros for a 2-hour wedding shoot. Yes, really. I showed up with more excitement than sense, hustling through the day with a camera, a vision, and what felt like a million butterflies in my stomach.

Fast forward to now— 2024 —and my starting price for a 2-hour wedding session is 1,195 euros. That’s right. I’ve gone from a modest 5k euros in annual revenue to over 55k euros, and honestly? Sometimes I still can’t believe it.

But let me take you back a bit further. Picture this: it’s 2019. I’m a newly-arrived wedding photographer in Europe, fresh off the plane, camera in hand, with dreams as big as the sky. Spoiler: I had no idea what I was doing. 🤯

The European wedding scene was a whole new world to me. I wasn’t just learning photography; I was learning how to navigate new cultures, build a business from scratch, and convince couples that yes, this stranger with a camera really knows what she’s doing.

Here’s the thing: building a career as a photographer, especially after moving from another country to a completely new environment, isn’t just about taking great pictures. It’s about grit, growth, and a whole lot of coffee. ☕ And, because it was my birthday and I do want to return something to the community, to you, because even with annual revenue to over 55k euros, I still wish someone could tell me this earlier! —because trust me, you’re going to want to skip some of my mistakes!

1. Find Your Niche (And Love It)

When I first started, I thought I had to shoot everything—from weddings to landscapes to babies’ first birthdays. Spoiler: I did not. Once I embraced weddings as my niche, things got a lot easier. Trust me, becoming known for one thing doesn’t box you in; it frees you up to master your craft. Plus, do you really want to spend your Sundays chasing toddlers around with a camera? (No judgment if you do!)

2. Embrace the Chaos, Because It’s Coming for You Anyway

You know those perfect, dreamy wedding days on Pinterest? Yeah, real weddings are not always like that. Grooms forget rings, brides forget their vows, and don’t even get me started on family photos! But the chaos is where the magic happens. Capture those moments, and you’ll have clients for life. (And maybe a future in crisis management, who knows?)

3. Language Barriers = Photography Superpowers

You know what’s universal? A smile. Or a thumbs-up. Or panicked gesturing when you’re trying to get the in-laws in place for a group shot. Being a photographer in Europe as a non-native speaker means you’ll get creative with communication—and that’s a skill that will serve you far beyond the wedding day.

4. Pricing: The Struggle Is Real

If I had a euro for every time I doubted my pricing, I’d have… well, still not enough to retire, but you get the point. Pricing your work, especially in a foreign market, is tricky. Know your worth, charge accordingly, and don’t be afraid to say no to clients who don’t see your value. (Yes, even if they offer exposure. Spoiler: exposure doesn’t pay the rent.)

5. Balancing Creativity with Business: The Eternal Tug-of-War

Some days, all I want to do is edit that one epic shot with the perfect lighting. Other days, I have to force myself to answer emails, send invoices, and, you know, run an actual business. The balance between creativity and business is tough, but here’s the secret: Systems save your sanity. Speaking of which… (shameless plug alert 🚨)… my new Success Toolkit for Photographers is designed to help with just that. More on that later. 😉

6. Find Your People

Photography can be a lonely business, especially when you’re working in a different country and culture. But finding a community—whether it’s online or in person—makes a huge difference. Fellow photographers, wedding planners, even florists. (You never know when you’ll need help untangling a bouquet or finding a lost bride!) Networking isn’t just about getting gigs; it’s about support, advice, and, let’s be honest, a good vent session after a long wedding day.

7. Learn to Say “No” (Without Guilt)

Not every gig is the right fit, and that’s okay. If you’re too busy to take on a project, or if it just doesn’t align with your style, say no. Politely, of course. Early on, I said yes to everything, which led to exhaustion and projects I didn’t even enjoy. Now, I pick my battles—er, weddings—and I’m much happier for it.

8. Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

Moving to a new country, starting a business, and navigating cultural differences—all of it is hard. But being uncomfortable is how we grow. Whether it’s learning to photograph in yet another grey European winter or figuring out how to market yourself to clients who don’t share your background, lean into the discomfort. (Also, buy a good raincoat. Seriously.)

9. Celebrate the Wins (No Matter How Small)

From booking my first European wedding to hitting my first 10k year, I celebrated every win. Now, surpassing 50k+ annually, I’ve learned that every step forward matters. But sometimes the biggest victories aren’t about booking the highest-paying client or nailing the perfect shot. Maybe it’s surviving a double wedding weekend without losing your mind, or finally figuring out how to send an invoice in Danish. (True story.) Whatever the win, celebrate it. You’re building something amazing.

10. Remember Why You Started

Whenever things get tough—and trust me, they will—I remind myself why I started. I didn’t move to Europe just to build a business; I wanted to tell stories, capture love, and create art that lasts. Keep that at the forefront, and everything else falls into place. (Well, mostly. No one tells you how much paperwork is involved in running a business here. But that’s a story for another day.)

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And here’s the exciting part: After years of learning the hard way, I’ve put together something that I wish existed when I started out—The Success Toolkit for Photographers! 🎉 Yeah!

It’s not just another guide filled with vague advice. It’s packed with real, actionable resources—templates, workflows, and strategies. I’ve fine-tuned over the years to make your life easier.

Whether you’re a newcomer looking for how to grow as a wedding photographer in Europe or a seasoned pro trying to building a mature wedding photography business in Europe, this toolkit is designed to help you find that balance between creativity and running a business.

Why am I telling you this? Because I believe in making our photography community stronger, one toolkit at a time. Plus, we all know how difficult it is to succeed as a wedding photographer in Europe. The toolkit is there to help you thrive on both fronts.

I’d love for you to check it out, and for the first few days, there’s an early-bird offer—because let’s face it, we all appreciate a good deal! 😉

If you jump on the early-bird offer (just 36 euros before October 31st), you’ll get access to the first chapter, Client Experience, right away, and the rest of the toolkit will magically unlock for you on November 24th. ✨ It’s like a little gift to your future self!

But if the early-bird window flies by, no worries—you can still enjoy the first chapter for free. And once you’re hooked (because, let’s be real, you probably will be), you can always grab the full toolkit later at 69 euros when it officially launches.

I’m making this toolkit as practical, helpful, and actionable as possible—stuff you can actually take and apply to your photography business right away. No fluff, just tools and strategies that work.

And since I’m not selling course or so, it’s really straightforward. Just the toolkit, designed to help you grow your business while keeping your creativity alive.

You will, however, get first dibs on an amazing deal for the full toolkit if you decide to go for it. And trust me, it’s a game-changer.

Now, I want to hear from you:

If we were sitting down over a coffee (or tea, or bubble tea!! ;D), what’s the one question you’d ask me about growing a wedding photography business in Europe?

Drop it in the comments or simply write to me—I’m all ears!

Thank you for sticking with me through my stories, lessons, and maybe too many questionable jokes. Whether you grab the toolkit or not, I’m cheering for you and your success, wherever your photography journey takes you!

Ciao.