Today we’d like to introduce you to Daivd Perlman

Hi Daivd, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

I was a theater kid growing up, and I was also always the guy taking photos at the cast parties, taking photos backstage, trying to get photos of the show. I absolutely loved doing theater, and I wanted to capture all the wonderful moments and people that made it so special. Even just in my group of friends and at summer camp, I was always the person making sure to get photos of everything.

In college, I took a photography course Freshman year, and I just loved photographing people. While my peers had a range of varying interests – landscapes, objects, city vibes – I loved doing portrait sessions with my friends!

I then became a professional actor and did musicals on Broadway, Off Broadway, and all over the world. Again, I was the documentarian, and I always had this secret dream of being a headshot photographer.

In 2012, I took a photography class and finally decided to try taking headshots for people – and it was so much fun! At first I did it for free for my friends, and then as people starting requesting headshots, I started charging a little money, and then some more, and then some more. I then got to a point where I was charging the current going rate for headshots, and my calendar was getting pretty full. For a few years I continued to be a professional actor and headshot photographer, and it was a great dual life I was living!

Things changed in 2015 when I married my husband. Our wedding was such a blast, and our wedding photographer Danny Weiss (who knew I was a headshot photographer), encouraged me to try weddings. I was a bit intimidated by the idea, but he encouraged me to come shadow him at a wedding and see how I liked it.

I’ll never forget the exact moment that I decided I wanted to photograph weddings during the very first wedding where I was shadowing Danny. We were in the bridal suite, taking photos of the bride getting ready with her friends and family. When she was all ready, it was time for the first look – where she and the groom would see each other for the first time that day, prior to the ceremony. The planner had everyone clear the room; all of her best friends left, her mother left. The only people that remained were the bride and the photographer – and me!

The groom came into the room, and when the couple saw each other, the bride started crying and saying “I can’t believe this is happening.” The groom started crying, and they were just sharing this beautiful moment. And I got chills. This woman’s mother was just kicked out of the room… and *I* got to be there for this moment! I was blown away by how special the wedding day was. I got to be present for so much love, joy, and beautiful emotion, and I was hooked.

I started second shooting with Danny and some other studios, and pretty soon I was booking weddings of my own. As with the headshots, I started out charging a very low price, and I gradually and organically raised the pricing as I got busier.

In 2017, I retired from acting so I could do wedding photography full time. It was an easy choice for me – I was much more excited about wedding photography inquiries than I was from audition opportunities.

Since then, it has been a very organic growth, and I absolutely love what I do!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

The biggest struggle for me came in 2021. We all had to postpone and reschedule so many weddings from 2020 and the first half of 2021. The second half of 2021 was basically two years worth of weddings within six months… and it really was just too much for me to handle.

I had to have a big breakthrough in trust as I outsourced some parts of my business that I had always done on my own. I also asked my couples for additional time for them to get their wedding photos – I had done all of the rescheduling at no extra fee, so I asked them if any of them would be willing to give me a few extra weeks for their photos. Without exception, each and every one was so understanding and graciously allowed me a few extra weeks.

Those weddings in 2021 were some of the most meaningful, joyful, beautiful experiences I’ve had, but those months were also some of the toughest behind the scenes. I came out of that time with a renewed commitment to have a balance between wedding photography and making sure I have time for myself. It has served me very well as I continue to grow my business!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about David Perlman Photography?

My entire philosophy is based on joy and ease. I want every step of the process to be easy and joyful – whether that’s meeting a client for the first time, our time together on the wedding day, or the photo gallery delivery.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?

Feel free to reach out through my website DavidPerlmanPhotography.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://davidperlmanphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidperlmanphotography

Image Credits

David Perlman Photography