We recently connected with Joy and Ben Photography and have shared our conversation below.

Joy and Ben , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

First off, success looks different for everyone, especially in the world of photography. While some may consider it a success to be paid anything, others might aim to replace a full-time job. There are many variables here.

For us, success didn’t come easily. We’ve been full time wedding photographers for nine years. That’s nine years of working incredibly hard without anyone to tell you if you’re doing it right. But, I believe there are key personality traits you must possess to be successful in photography.

Tune out the noise. There are so many naysayers, judgments, and superficial things like Instagram that can cause massive self-doubt and leave you feeling like an imposter. You have to learn to tune all that ‘stuff’ out and have confidence in what you are doing.

Put in the time. This is crucial. In today’s world, everyone wants immediate results. It’s like seeking a magic weight loss pill, but we all know the real way to lose weight. The same goes for wedding photography. You learn so much by doing things over and over again. Time allows you to make mistakes and to figure out adjustments. It makes you stronger. A photographer friend of ours says, ‘Slow growth equals deep roots,’ and it’s so true. Putting in the time allows you to be successful for the long haul, not just for a month or two.

Pat yourself on the back. Owning your own business is hard, especially one based on people’s opinions and views of your art. There are no clear-cut rules. It’s art, open to interpretation. Because of this, you’ll get beaten up if you only rely on others’ opinions of your work. You have to look in the mirror and pat yourself on the back when it works, because no one else is around to support you.

Give back. We are big believers in this. When you learn something or experience something that can benefit others, help them. Over the last nine years, we’ve learned a lot, made many mistakes, and had many successes. We can guide other photographers based on our experiences, hopefully helping them grow even faster than we did.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Our journey into wedding photography was quite different from most, I believe. We met in a unique way at a KFC in 1998, fell in love quickly, and got married shortly thereafter. At that time, we didn’t understand the importance of professional photography for our own wedding. We decided to save money and had a friend take our wedding pictures, a decision we later came to regret.

Our outlook changed profoundly when our son Kyan was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer. The experience of capturing these moments through photography showed us the immense value of preserving life’s precious memories. To this day, it’s these photos that bring back memories of our son and how we remember him. This profound experience inspired us to pursue wedding photography, driven by a desire to provide couples with the opportunity to genuinely capture and treasure their special day.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building our reputation in the wedding photography market was largely influenced by our personal approach and storytelling style. Our journey and experience with our son Kyan shaped our perspective on capturing life’s precious moments. On the homepage of our website, it says, “For couples who want their wedding day to feel like home. Home is so much more than a place you live. It’s also wrapped up in memories you want to freeze for a lifetime.” For us, this directly reflects our experience with our son, our photography, and the photos we cherish in our home. I think this authenticity resonates with clients who seek more than just photographs but a heartfelt capture of their special day. Because of what we’ve experienced, we look at weddings differently than most photographers.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

For us, it’s been about the simple, yet demanding things. Working extremely hard is key, to the extent of canceling all streaming services and selling our TV to avoid distractions and focus on work. This intense dedication has enabled us to collaborate with amazing wedding vendors who share our same views of hard work and high standards. Forming partnerships and friendships with these vendors has significantly contributed to our growth over the years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joyandbenphotography.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/joyandbenphotography
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/joyandbenphotography

Image Credits
Joy and Ben Photography