Lessons for Surviving Your First Year of Full-Time Photography with Taylor Isselhard

Jul 1, 2025

Taylor Isselhard, a full-time wedding photographer and host of the Wedding Lens Lounge podcast, shares his inspiring journey from part-time shooter to full-time pro. He emphasizes disciplined business growth, stressing the need for financial planning and an emergency fund before making the leap. Taylor attributes much of his success to exceptional client experiences and effective networking, using social media to enhance visibility in the wedding industry. His insights on maintaining work-life balance while implementing efficient workflows offer valuable guidance for aspiring photographers.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

First Wedding Came From A Friend

Taylor's first wedding came from a high-school friend who paid $800 and trusted him.
He leaned on his own wedding photographer for mentoring and practical tips before that first wedding.

ADVICE

Prepare Practically For Your First Wedding

Prepare mentally, technically, and with a timeline and family photo list for your first wedding.
Ask experienced photographers for specific tips on lighting, flash use, and adapting when timelines slip.

INSIGHT

Prioritize What Couples Actually Care About

Prioritize capturing several good images of the moments the couple cares about rather than chasing every possible shot.
Getting key emotional moments ensures client satisfaction even if some extras are missed.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

#576 Taylor Isselhard is a full-time wedding photographer and the host of the Wedding Lens Lounge podcast. As a professional who successfully transitioned from part-time to full-time photography, Taylor offers an in-depth perspective on the critical steps required for building a sustainable photography business.

A significant theme in his career is the disciplined approach to business growth. Relying on his background in business, Taylor underscores the importance of thorough preparation before leaving stable employment. This includes maintaining a clear understanding of financial needs, forecasting bookings, setting aside an emergency fund, and only making the leap once the business demonstrates consistent demand and stability.

KEY TOPICS COVERED

Transitioning to Full-Time Photography - Taylor describes how he built up his business gradually, shooting weddings part-time for six years and only going full-time once he reached a threshold of consistent bookings and had established key systems and savings.
The Power of Client Experience and Networking - Taylor attributes much of his rapid growth to the positive client experience he provided and the word-of-mouth referrals it generated. He emphasizes the importance of networking with vendors, tagging them on social media, and intentionally nurturing relationships in the wedding industry to gain referrals and increase visibility.
Systems, Workflow, and Work-Life Balance - Taylor discusses the practical systems he implemented for client management (like HoneyBook CRM), planning his work week, and balancing business with family life. He outlines his method for blocking off time, using spreadsheets for goal setting, and the importance of beginning with the end in mind—setting long-term goals and breaking them down into actionable steps.

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTS

CRM (Customer Relationship Management): A software tool (like HoneyBook) used to manage client interactions, contracts, invoices, and communications in an organized, professional manner—critical for scaling and streamlining a photography business.
Begin with the End in Mind: A strategic planning principle (from “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”) involving setting clear, long-term business goals and then mapping out the milestones and actions needed to achieve them.

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS

What fears or obstacles do you face in considering a transition to full-time photography, and how could Taylor’s experience inform your approach?
How can building client relationships and networking with vendors be integrated into your workflow?
What current systems (or lack thereof) are holding you back from scaling your business and achieving balance?

RESOURCES:
Visit Taylor Isselhard's Website - https://tpiphotography.com/
Follow Taylor Isselhard on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tpi_photography/

Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets at
http://freephotographypresets.com/

Connect with Raymond!

Go from Confused to Confident behind the camera with The Ultimate Photography Education Bundle - https://beginnerphotopod.com/bundle
Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!