Exactly twelve months ago, I decided to take the leap and start my journey as a professional wedding photographer. By late November 2024, I had applied for a business start-up loan, researched and purchased all the camera equipment I needed, registered as a limited company, setup my website, taken out the necessary insurance policies, and begun marketing my new business.

It has been an incredible year filled with lessons, challenges, and unforgettable moments. I wanted to take some time to reflect on everything I’ve learned during my first year taking photography seriously, and asking people to trust me to capture their weddings. I also wanted to share a few insights that might help others thinking about doing the same. Then again, there’s always the risk that, like the rest of my website, only my mum reads this!

How It All Began

When I first started out, my plan was simple: I would offer to second-shoot weddings for established photographers free of charge to gain experience and learn from the best.

I spent hours researching photographers across Central Scotland and sent over 50 emails or messages introducing myself and offering my help. Out of all those messages, I received just two replies — one polite “thank you but no thank you,” and the other an out-of-office message.

That was a wake-up call. I quickly realised I needed to change my approach if I wanted to build a portfolio and gain real-world experience. So, against my best judgment (and the advice of just about everyone I knew), I began offering discounted wedding photography packages and started advertising heavily on local Facebook wedding pages.

This finally started to generate some interest, and I booked four weddings at discounted rates relatively quickly. Of those four, one couple had just had their photographer cancel, one had brought their wedding forward and their original photographer was unavailable, and the other two had planned to have a family member capture the day for them.

Those first weddings helped me to build the very start of a professional portfolio and gave me the foundation I needed to move forward, and the confidence that I could handle whatever a wedding day threw at me. My first wedding tested me right out of the gate. The couple stood in near darkness, with the low winter sun bouncing off the river outside and flooding the room with brutal backlight. It was the sort of lighting chaos that haunts photographers’ dreams! Thankfully I was prepared and handled it with ease.

From there, I threw myself into learning. I spent hundreds of hours completing online training and invested in several paid courses from established photographers, including Taylor Jackson who has some excellent online training content and hundreds of hours of free YouTube based learning. I listened to podcasts (the Shoot Your Shot Photography Podcast is packed with great tips), watched hundreds of YouTube tutorials, and fully immersed myself in the industry.

After more than 25 years behind a camera, I already understood exposure, composition, and camera settings. The technical side was the easy part, what I really needed to learn was how to run and market a business and truly understand what couples want from their wedding photographer.

What I Have Learned

Looking back over the past twelve months, several key lessons stand out:

• The wedding photography market is incredibly competitive. Every enquiry on social media can attract dozens of responses within minutes — sometimes more than a hundred within a day. Standing out takes more than great photos; it requires professionalism, consistency, and genuine connection.
• Candid and documentary-style photography is hugely popular, but most couples still love their posed portraits. Those images often end up being their favourites and the ones they print.
• Family formals are for the parents and grandparents. These are often the most treasured photos in the long run — don’t underestimate their importance.
• A calm photographer makes for a calm day. Relaxed energy spreads. If that means having a wee drink with the guests, so be it. It helps you connect.
• Photographers often become unofficial coordinators. When something goes off schedule, you’re the one keeping things running. I’ve even picked up the microphone to introduce couples at their reception! People look to you as the one who can take charge.
• The little things matter. I always carry a small first aid kit — Compeed for blisters, plasters for cuts, dressings for grazes. It’s saved the day more than once.
• Clarity is key. Couples want to know exactly what they’re paying for, so I make sure every package detail is clearly listed on my website and I do bespoke packages for every couple.
• Pre-wedding meetings and engagement shoots build trust. They make couples comfortable and help everything flow naturally on the big day.
• Not everyone values photography equally. Some of my early discounted  wedding galleries were never even downloaded to this day. It’s a reminder that value is subjective, and that’s okay.
• Photography is more than just the wedding day. There’s planning, backup, editing, delivery, hours of unseen work go into every gallery.
• Building a business from the ground up demands both dedication and investment. From securing public liability and professional indemnity insurance and expert financial guidance, to equipping myself with the latest software and industry-leading gear, the costs are substantial. But every penny is an investment in your peace of mind. I am truly fortunate to be able to grow this company slowly and organically, ensuring that my commitment to quality always shows though.
• You can’t make every booking. Some couples will choose based on price alone. I’ve learned to focus on those who truly value what I offer and not get into a bidding war over £10 off a £1,000 package.

There Can Be Real Challenges

Not every couple has realistic expectations, though. Earlier this year, a couple planning a February wedding in Gretna showed me “light and airy” inspiration photos. All had been taken in sunny Banff, Canada. Their venue? A small room with black walls. It wasn’t achievable, and after some honest conversations, we agreed I wasn’t the right fit. I won’t take on any wedding unless I feel I can deliver what the couple want.

On the other hand, couples who are flexible and have a vision (or are willing to work with me to create their vision) are a joy to work with. I recently photographed an engagement party near Glasgow, and because they were willing to dedicate time for portraits and had an idea of the sorts of images they wanted to create, the results were fantastic. None of this takes long and working with your photographer is an easy way to create the sorts of images that will hang over your mantlepiece for years to come.

Most couples I have worked with only want 10–20 minutes for portraits on the day, so I’ve added optional post-wedding sessions to my packages. It lets couples enjoy a relaxed shoot without time pressure and spend more of their wedding day with guests.

There is a significant difference between a perfectly orchestrated styled shoot and reality of a wedding day. Styled shoots use professional models, meticulously curated venues, and controlled lighting with dozens of attempts to get the perfect image. I believe in giving my couples an accurate representation of my work. My portfolio showcases the authentic, fluid moments of a live wedding, demonstrating my ability to capture breathtaking results under real-world conditions, without relying on a false, manufactured perfection. Competing with these images can be a challenge though.

And my final thought relates to father daughter “first looks”? Sometimes they’re tearful and emotional; sometimes they’re just not. Either way, my job is to document what’s real, not stage reactions.

The Joy of Weddings

Despite the challenges, I’ve discovered just how much I love photographing weddings. Every wedding is unique, creative, unpredictable, emotional, and deeply rewarding. It’s a day that only happens once in a couple’s life, and to be trusted with the responsibility of capturing it is a genuine honour. The pressure to get it right is huge, but I thrive under pressure and enjoy every second of it.

I wouldn’t call myself the most sentimental person, but even I can appreciate that a wedding day is often the culmination of a couple’s love story (I do hate that phrase), and more importantly, the start of the rest of their lives together. That thought alone adds an extra layer of meaning to every image I capture.

I genuinely enjoy working with guests and being part of the atmosphere. Watching couples go from nervous and camera-shy to relaxed and full of laughter is one of my favourite parts of the job. I’ll always remember a wedding in Edinburgh’s Dalkeith Country Park where the couple went from literally not wanting to have their photo taken to directing me on what they wanted to do next. It’s in those moments that real stories unfold, and that’s where the magic of wedding photography truly lies.

I also love surprising my couples with a little something extra. Arriving early and offering a complimentary couple of hours of coverage. Perhaps capturing bridal preparations they hadn’t booked, or photographing some extra details of their venue, it always feels special. Those candid, behind-the-scenes moments often end up being some of the most meaningful images from the day.

One of my favourite traditions is editing and printing a handful of photos during the wedding breakfast. While the guests are enjoying their meal, I’ll often sit quietly in the bar or a side room, select a few highlights from the day so far, and print them out. Handing those freshly printed photos to the couple and seeing their reaction never fails to make me smile, it’s a small gesture that means a lot.

Delivering an outstanding customer experience is the heart of my business. Nothing is more rewarding than receiving the warm, positive reviews and personal messages of thanks from brides and grooms. It's a privilege to know that the effort invested in working closely with each couple is not only noticed but makes their wedding photography experience seamless and enjoyable.

Unlike many photographers, I also don’t mind when family and friends bring along their own cameras. Whether it’s a compact camera or a DSLR, I know that same excitement because I was once that person, looking at the professional gear with a hint of jealousy. Instead of asking them to step aside, I invite them to take a few shots from my location, offer a few friendly tips, and let them enjoy capturing their own memories too. There’s always room for kindness and collaboration on a wedding day, and sharing that experience makes the atmosphere even more positive.

Weddings are fast-paced, emotional, and full of surprises, and that’s exactly why I love them. No two days are ever the same. One weekend might be an elegant country estate with golden sunset portraits; the next could be a rain soaked micro-wedding with 15 guests and ceilidh dancing that goes long into the night. Each one tells its own story, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be the person who gets to document it all.

Having my Son Along on the Day

One of the nicest surprises this year has been discovering that my oldest son, Adam, is actually a fantastic photographer. He came along to help at a wedding one weekend when he was free — and it turns out he’s got a real eye for capturing candid moments.

Adam’s usually more of a sports photographer (www.adamruizphotography.co.uk) and shoots with his own professional Nikon kit, but he slipped seamlessly into wedding mode. While I was busy with the bride and groom prep, he took charge of all the establishing shots and the ceremony and reception details. Later in the day, while I focused on couple portraits and family formals, he mingled with guests capturing those brilliant, unscripted moments that make a gallery come alive.

He even switched to video at one wedding and somehow became the videographer too, multitasking clearly runs in the family! Having him alongside meant I could deliver much larger galleries, cover every angle, and even surprise couples a few months later with a short highlight film set to music (I am still learning as video is not my forte). I never tell them it’s coming, which makes it all the more fun when they get that unexpected email.

It’s been brilliant working with him and seeing how he shoots. It’s also handy having someone around to help set up lights, grab bits of kit etc. We always wrap up the day with a quick drink at the bar before heading home, usually followed by a McDonald’s drive-thru, because by that point we’re starving, dehydrated, and absolutely done in.

Expanding My Photography Work

Outside of weddings, I’ve been fortunate to explore other areas of photography. With more invested in cameras and lenses than my pension (I really should have taken out shares in Nikon!), it made sense to make full use of my gear beyond wedding days. Photography is a skill that opens endless creative doors, and I’ve loved every opportunity to diversify and challenge myself in new ways.

I’ve photographed pets, family events, birthdays, and high school proms. Each shoot brings something different, pets that refuse to sit still, families trying to get everyone smiling at once with their eyes open preferably, and the energy and excitement of teenagers heading to prom whilst trying to hide their hip flasks from the teachers. I even took class photos for a Primary 1 group (5 years old), which was a whole new experience in patience. Those sessions remind me how important it is to keep things fun, flexible, and relaxed no matter the setting.

The biggest and most unexpected development has been my move into property photography. It all started completely by accident. I was booked to take drone images of a truly stunning property in Auchterarder, but on the day, the fog rolled in and flying wasn’t possible. The homeowner asked if I could photograph the interiors instead. I had all my gear with me, so I gave it a go, and it turns out I can do it really well.

That one job turned into a new branch of my business. Since then, I’ve photographed almost a hundred homes for local estate agents and property owners, mostly at weekends when it suits both my schedule and theirs. Over time, I’ve refined my workflow, developed a keen eye for interior lighting, and learned how to make every room look its best.

I also create cinematic property video tours and 360° virtual walkthroughs using Matterport software, which has quickly become an industry favourite. It’s been a rewarding way to expand my technical skills, especially in editing, composition, and lighting control.

While property photography isn’t my main focus, it’s been an invaluable addition to my portfolio and a steady source of additional income. It has also given me the opportunity to meet some amazing and diverse people and pets, including a 10in long giant African land snail called Leroy and so many dogs that I now carry snacks in my bag for them. More importantly, it keeps me creatively sharp and allows me to keep developing my craft, even outside the wedding season.

Whether it’s capturing the personality of a family pet, the laughter at a birthday party, or the beauty of a home that someone has poured their heart into, I see every shoot as an opportunity to tell a story through my lens, and that’s what photography is all about.

Giving Back to the Community

Community has always been a big part of who I am, both personally and professionally. Photography might be my business, but it’s also a way to connect with people, to be part of something bigger than myself.

Alongside running my photography business, I volunteer as a Community First Responder with the Scottish Ambulance Service, a role I’ve held for more than six years. During that time, I’ve attended over 300 emergency calls, supporting people in my local area during some of their most difficult moments. It can be a demanding role that constantly reminds me how important community is and how much of a difference small acts of service can make.

That same spirit of giving back carries through into my work as a photographer. I offer discounts on wedding photography packages for frontline workers, a small way to show appreciation for those who dedicate their lives to helping others. Whenever possible I photograph charity events, local sports clubs, and community groups free of charge. It’s important to me that my business doesn’t just operate in the community but actively supports it.

As my business continues to grow, I plan to keep community at the heart of everything I do, using my photography not just to document special moments, but to help others tell their stories and make a difference where it matters most.

Looking Ahead

So, twelve months in, how do I feel? Grateful. Hopeful. And genuinely excited for what comes next.

This first year has been a whirlwind of learning, growth, and new experiences. There have been highs and lows, of course, but the positives have far outweighed the challenges. Every wedding, every shoot, every late night editing session has shaped me into the photographer and business owner I am today.

Looking ahead, I already have weddings booked well into 2026 and even 2027, and my other photography work continues to grow steadily. It’s a great feeling to know that couples are trusting me to capture one of the most important days of their lives, sometimes years in advance. That’s something I’ll never take for granted.

I feel incredibly lucky to be able to call myself a professional photographer. It’s a strange feeling but one that is growing on me slowly. The journey is far from over. I’m continuing to invest in my skills, explore new styles, and push myself creatively so that every couple I work with receives the best possible experience. My goal for the next twelve months is to keep growing, not just as a business, but as a photographer and a part of my community.

Here’s to the next chapter, the next twelve months, the new faces, and all the stories still waiting to be captured.

#WeddingPhotographerScotland #ScottishWeddings #WeddingPhotography #KinrossPhotographer #DocumentaryWeddingPhotography #CandidWeddingPhotography #ScotlandWeddingPhotographer #ScottishWeddingInspiration #PhotographyBusiness #WeddingPhotographerJourney #ProfessionalPhotography #PhotographerLife #WeddingPhotographyTips #NewBusinessJourney #PropertyPhotographyScotland #CreativePhotography #BlueLightDiscount #CommunityPhotographer #ScottishWeddingPhotographer