Thoughts From a 21 Year Old Business Owner

Based on my experience in the wedding photography industry.

Hi, I’m Eden. I’m 21. I’ve been a part of the wedding photography industry for 4 years.

I second shot for the first time a week after I turned 19, and eloped the next week. Since then, I‘ve been a wife, a florist, a barista, and through everything, an artist and wedding photographer.

I know what you’re thinking, another internet stranger selling me their story so I give them my money.

That’s not why I’m here.

I’m here to share some honest thoughts as a girl living in 2024 America.

My Instagram bio says documentary wedding photographer, before that though, I’m a human.

Why does that matter?

The same things that are sold to you are sold to me. I’m not just talking about photos, I’m talking about skincare, gym memberships, makeup, and everything we’re so often told we need to achieve a better level of existence.

YOU DON’T NEED ANY OF IT.

I’ve wasted too many great moments worrying about what I look like, and I don’t want your wedding day to be spent like that.

There is a time and place for self improvement, and I’m all for that when it’s healthy and improves your mental health.

I love going to the gym, when I feel like it. I love dressing up, when I feel like it. I love taking care of myself, because there’s been many times I’ve neglected that.

I’ve had my fair share of body image struggles and never feeling as cool or put together as someone next to me.

Hold on, this isn’t a sob story.

I can’t stress to you enough how much I get how it feels to step in front of a camera with all these mental pressures and background noise.

Yes, it’s part of my job as a wedding photographer to make sure you feel great about any photos we take together. Yes, I will use lighting and angles that compliment you and help you feel confident.

Not to make you look skinnier, not to make you look curvier, not to hide imperfections.

You don’t have any, and nothing about you needs changed, prepped or toned for your wedding day.

Photography can be empowering, and I’ll be the last person to sell you a need to change your personality or body to have great photos of yourself and your loved ones.

You and your honey promising to spend the rest of your days together has a gravity and a meaning you can’t really express in an instagram post.

When the flowers have wilted and the friends have gone back home will you be happy with what you spent your wedding day doing and thinking about?

Wedding days fly by too fast and mean too much to not spend them with who and what matters to you.

Documenting life as it is really means exactly that to me. We aren’t faking smiles, we’re photographing human beings having the time of their lives and having great wedding days. Great photos come from great moments, and you can’t fake those.

I wouldn’t have chosen this career if I didn’t care about it and the people I serve with my whole soul.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. May your wedding day be romantic, stressless, and full of so much love. Love you, bestie.

XX, Eden