As a photographer, the journey of finding your niche can be both exciting and challenging. For me, that niche was wedding photography. I had always been drawn to capturing the love and emotions of couples on their special day. However, after some time and effort in the industry, I made the difficult decision to give up on wedding photography due to a lack of bookings.

When I first started my photography business, I was eager to take on any and all photography jobs that came my way. I worked hard to build up my portfolio and establish a reputation as a reliable and skilled photographer. I knew that wedding photography was a competitive field, but I was determined to make a name for myself having moved into the North West, I was making some traction too in the greater Derry area, and over the years it was slowly but surely ticking along, but then COVID hit.

Once the restrictions were lifted, I started by offering affordable rates to build up my clientele, and while I did manage to book a few weddings, it wasn't enough to sustain my business. I tried different marketing strategies and even collaborated with local vendors, but the bookings still didn't come in as I had hoped. Eventually, I had to accept that wedding photography just wasn't working out for me in this neck of the woods.

While it was disheartening to give up on a field I was passionate about, I knew that I needed to pivot and focus on other areas of photography that were more in demand. Instead of dwelling on my disappointment, I decided to take the opportunity to explore different genres and styles of photography. This allowed me to expand my skill set and find new avenues for success.

Looking back, I realize that giving up on wedding photography was a tough but necessary decision. As a photographer, it's important to be adaptable and willing to try new things. It's not always easy to let go of a dream or a goal, but sometimes it's the best thing you can do for yourself and your business.

If you're a photographer facing a similar situation, don't be afraid to re-evaluate your goals and explore new avenues. Remember, success doesn't always come in the way you expect it to. Keep pushing yourself, and you'll eventually find your niche.

I've leaned more toward stock photography and video, especially utilising my DJI Mini Pro 3 as a more beneficial long-term financial plan, sure, it's a slow burn to build up, but I'm finding more and more ways to generate an income from this avenue, and it's certainly a lot less stressful. 

There are plenty of stock sites to choose from to publish your work, you should certainly look at it even from a secondary income point of view.