Becoming a Wedding Photographer in One Year with Tim Coulson

Photographers will learn that building a wedding photography business quickly does not require years of prior experience, but it does require consistent daily action and a willingness to share yourself openly with potential clients. Tim Coulson explains how he went from not knowing his camera settings to a fully booked international wedding photographer in about a year, and what he changed once the pace became unsustainable.

Tim talks through his quarter life crisis at 25, his first paid wedding for 500 dollars, and the two things he credits for his growth: obsessive consistent action and sharing his life with no hidden agenda. He also gets honest about burning out on unlimited hour wedding packages, restructuring his packages, and eventually moving into teaching photography and business courses full time.

About Tim Coulson

Tim Coulson taught himself photography at 25 after leaving a corporate marketing job, and built a booked out international wedding photography business within his first couple of years in the industry. He later created two education programs, a camera basics course called The Nursery and a business focused course called The University, both with attached Facebook communities. He has also shot for brands including Airbnb, Google, BMW and Land Rover.

Key takeaways

1. Consistency matters more than intensity

Tim explains that the intensity of effort determines how quickly you reach your goal, but it is not required to get there at all. As long as you keep taking action consistently, whether over six months or six years, you will keep moving in the right direction.

2. Share yourself with no agenda

Tim built his wedding business by sharing his life openly on a blog and social media with zero intention of attracting bookings. Clients told him they did not care about his rates, they just needed to know when he was available, because they felt like they already knew him.

3. Price your first paid job low enough to just get started

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4. Watch for unsustainable packages before you are booked years ahead

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5. Notice when the work stops lighting you up

Tim admits he had to give himself pep talks in the car before weddings once the joy faded, reminding himself how significant the day was for his clients. Recognising that feeling early, rather than ignoring it, is what eventually pushed him to change direction.

6. Work in blocks that match how you focus best

Tim found that trying to do a little of everything each day was less productive than dedicating a whole day to one type of task, such as brainstorming fifty content ideas in one sitting rather than creating one piece of content a day for fifty days.

7. Do something for your business every single day

Tim tells his students that committing to doing something every day, even if it only takes six minutes, keeps you moving toward your goal. It is only when you stop entirely that progress stops.

Favourite moments

"I had, like, a quarter-life crisis."

Tim Coulson

"You have to be the only photographer in the world for your clients."

Tim Coulson

"The intensity of the effort determines how quickly you get where you're trying to go."

Tim Coulson

Listen to the full episode

Watch the episode above, or listen to Becoming a Wedding Photographer in One Year with Tim Coulson on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Keep reading:

• How to start a photography business
• A photographer's guide: How to book your first wedding
• 10 tips for creating photography packages that clients want to book

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