We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aimee Lewis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aimee below.

Aimee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Before diving into college, I went on a year-long trip, hopping between various countries. Initially, my sights were set on becoming a physical therapist, all stemming from a knee injury I sustained during junior year of high school. But while sitting in a treehouse in Cambodia, diligently working through those university applications, I realized  photography had evolved into much more than just a casual interest and was something I wanted to pursue professionally.

So, I decided to pursue a degree in photojournalism, albeit with some lingering doubts about making a livelihood solely through capturing photographs. Now, fast-forward eight years, and what do you know? I’m fully immersed in the world of documentary wedding photography, a complete departure from my initial life path. It’s quite an unexpected shift, but I wouldn’t alter a thing. Trusting my gut and pursuing my passion – hands down, the most rewarding decision I’ve ever made.

Aimee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Wedding photography sort of fell into my lap unexpectedly. During my college days, I started taking on weekend gigs as a wedding photographer since it didn’t clash with my classes and the pay was not too shabby. The more I dove into it, the clearer it became – I absolutely adore this mode of storytelling. Wedding photography, combined with my journalism background, lets me view wedding days as these incredible narratives I get to meticulously document as they naturally unfold.

My niche centers around weddings, elopements, and capturing couples in their element. I vibe best with clients who seek a hands-off, fly-on-the-wall approach to wedding photography. When the big day arrives, I’m all about capturing those unscripted, genuine emotions and happenings with minimal intrusion. I want to steer clear of turning your special day into a staged photoshoot or a grand production. Thanks to my journalism roots, I’ve developed an eagle eye for those small, fleeting details and moments that often slip by unnoticed but truly encapsulate the ambiance and connections on your special day.

Crafting my wedding photography services is a source of pride for me. I firmly believe that a solid friendship beyond the wedding day and photography session is vital. So, I take the time to really get to know my clients – their music tastes, their go-to dinner spots, even setting up play dates with our dogs so they, too, can become friends. These seemingly minor interactions build a foundation of trust and create a more holistic photography experience.

Navigating the wedding industry can be quite the puzzle – couples often dive in without a clue, make substantial financial decisions, juggle a myriad of vendors and ideas, and then exit as seasoned pros who never plan another wedding again. That’s where I love help guide my clients through the planning maze. Given that I’ve pretty much seen it all, I’m here to help ease some of that inevitable stress.

In a nutshell, my approach is about being a friend that’s there to document your day in a personal, authentic manner, all while having as much fun and alleviating as much pressure as possible.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

The question that pops up most frequently from folks outside the creative realm is, “Why the hell does photography cost so much?” And I totally get it. Sometimes the price tag can be a bit surprising. I think it all boils down to not being privy to the entire photography process. Most people only catch a glimpse of a photographer in action, capturing the shot – and if I thought that was the main deal, I’d be scratching my head over those hefty numbers too. But the actual snapping of pictures is just a tiny fraction of the big picture.

My arsenal of gear clocks in at around 15k in value. And remember, it’s not just about owning the gear; it’s about having the skillset to wield it like an expert. Additionally, I juggle the cost of multiple apps, websites, and CRMs for editing, delivering galleries, and staying connected with clients – all necessary to run a top-tier business. Now, the other heavyweight is time. Especially with wedding photography, we’re talking about a mere 52 weekends in a year, which inherently limits how many dates I can book. On top of that, each wedding requires time for consultations, engagement shoots, the actual wedding day itself, and the substantial chunk of time spent sifting through and editing the thousands of images that each wedding yields. In order to deliver a top-notch, unforgettable experience, I have to cap the number of weddings I take on. This way, I can pour in the necessary time and attention for each project.

Over the last decade, I’ve continually refined my editing style and invested time and money into educational resources to ensure I’m offering my couples a high value product. And I know all jobs demand these types of investments! But when it comes to photography, not many of these factors are known outside of the creative industry. I’d be stoked to help others understand that even though it’s a creative realm, there’s a boatload of business and technical aspects woven in too.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

As a creative person, falling head over heels for the photography aspect of my job was the easy part. However, venturing into the world of running a wedding photography business demanded that I develop an equal fondness for numbers, insurance policies, and marketing – a love affair with the art of creation and the art of business, if you will. At the beginning, I was hit with a wave of overwhelm – how do I go about setting up an LLC? Is professional liability a must in my business insurance? Which bank aligns best with my business account needs? And, of course, the ever-intimidating taxes.

I reached out to my photography friends for a lifeline on some of these questions and a golden nugget of advice pointed me toward “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi and nudged me to invest in educational courses from a seasoned wedding photographer, D’arcy Benincosa. After exploring her free resources and listening to her podcast, I decided to purchase a couple of her courses – the Money Map and the Profitable Portfolio. Sethi’s book and Benincosa’s courses are my secret weapons in this journey, reassuring me that I’ve got what it takes to navigate both the vibrant creative sphere and the nitty-gritty business terrain of my career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aimeedianne.photography/
• Instagram: instagram.com/aimeedianne.photography/