That Time I Got Booked for My First International Wedding

That Time I Got Booked for My First International Wedding

As a freelance photographer, the idea of shooting my first international wedding both excited and scared me. It always felt like something big to work towards in my career and something that would set me apart from emerging as an established photographer.

I took a leap of faith in the middle of 2022, leaving my corporate “normal persons” marketing manager role to pursue my passion for photography and build my brand, Aimee Rachael Photography. During this period, I dedicated much time to up leveling my skills.

After much hard work and hustle, I was establishing the online community I had dreamed of. I was making connections and finally starting to get paid for jobs that I was proud of. I was working with clients who wanted to be seen in their raw emotions, and I loved the clientele I was cultivating. During all this “learning”, I was asked to capture a friend’s overseas wedding. My dream had finally arrived. But so did the imposter syndrome that I wasn’t good enough.

While I was thrilled at this opportunity, I struggled with anxiety and imposter syndrome leading up to the event. I had so many questions and doubts, like all the what-ifs. What if the battery dies? Am I good enough? What if my memory card crashes and I lose all the files, etc.? What if I’m the one to ruin their special day? I can’t ask them to get married again!

But I accepted, knowing what it meant to my friend and how important this would be for my photography career. A few days prior to the wedding, I flew into Mexico to spend time with my childhood friends, who I grew up with in Bali. They were also attending the wedding and had flown in from all around the world.

The journey to the wedding location was challenging, as it was a beautiful beach at a massive private resort off the coast of Mexico. When I arrived at the airport in Mexico to get my flight to the wedding destination, I was informed at the check-in counter I needed to reserve my seat, something I didn’t even know you had to do. To make matters worse, the flight was already overbooked, with no other airlines available. I was stressing out that I had come all this way to shoot the wedding and then potentially could not make it. Leaving the bride and groom without a photographer. With 20 people ahead of me on the waitlist, I had to beg my case to get on that plane. I was the last person they allowed on, waiting until the last hour for a no-show before they finally let me board.

Despite the rocky start to getting to the wedding location, I ended up taking some truly magical photos of Lana and Joseph with the most beautiful natural light, and I’m so proud of those photos. I’m so grateful that I was given this opportunity, but it was also a real lesson in trusting myself. It was a lesson in pushing through, learning to quieten the noise in my head, and reminding myself that I was chosen for this.

It’s unique to look back on that moment in time because as I write this blog, I am currently editing pictures for another magical wedding that I shot a couple of weeks ago in regional Victoria. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that those feelings of self-doubt and what-ifs also came up shooting this wedding, but again, I surprised myself. And both times, the photos have been amazing and something I’m proud of.

Reflecting on my journey as a photographer, I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way, the people who have trusted me, and the lessons I have learned and continue to learn. Each experience, no matter how challenging, has helped me grow as a photographer and person.

Head to my website to see more of my photography: www.aimeerachael.com