Thinking about going full-time as a photographer but worried about the risks?

Or maybe you’re already shooting weddings but feeling the burnout that so many in the industry face?

In this Say Cheese podcast episode, we sat down with Jordan Voth, a wedding photographer who transitioned from accounting to photography and built a thriving, sustainable business photographing weddings, families, and lifestyle sessions across the U.S. (and beyond).

Here are Jordan’s 3 biggest lessons for photographers who want to go full-time, avoid burnout, and build a career that lasts.

1. Transition Smartly: You Don’t Need to Quit Your Job Overnight

Jordan didn’t leap blindly into photography. He used a corporate layoff as his launchpad.

After five years of college (originally planning to get his CPA license), he landed a comfortable accounting job at a casual Seattle-based company. When the company announced a merger and gave employees a 10-month layoff notice, Jordan made his move.

“I figured, I’ll try photography full-time. Worst case? If it doesn’t work in a year, I can always go back to accounting.”

With severance pay and growing bookings, he took the leap. And by the time his last day at work came around, his photography business was already gaining momentum.

What photographers can learn:

• You don’t have to gamble everything to go full-time.
  
• Look for windows of opportunity (severance, flexible jobs, side hustles) to test the waters.
  
• Use that time to build your client base and momentum before fully committing.
  

2. Avoid Burnout by Diversifying Your Work and Energy

Photographers often burn out because every job feels the same. Jordan avoids that by intentionally mixing up his work and schedule.

• He shoots intimate weddings, luxury weddings, families, maternity, and lifestyle sessions, but keeps it all under one cohesive brand.
  
• He balances his year by booking desert and warm-weather weddings in the fall and winter (California, Arizona, Utah) to stay inspired when Washington slows down.
  
• He keeps most late-season bookings closer to home to avoid travel exhaustion.
  
• Outside of photography, he and his wife run a clothing boutique and natural wine shop in Seattle, giving him a creative outlet outside weddings.
  

“Burnout isn’t always about long hours—it’s about doing the same thing over and over. Shooting different types of sessions and having outlets outside photography keeps me fresh.”

What photographers can learn:

• Diversify your work so your creativity stays alive (without splitting your brand).
  
• Be strategic with travel—schedule shoots in places that excite you.
  
• Build a life outside of photography so your identity isn’t tied only to your bookings.
  

3. In 2025, Visibility is Everything, Build Systems for Social Media

Even with years of experience and a strong reputation, Jordan admits social media has been a struggle.

“I can shoot all day, but editing and posting reels? That’s the part I hate.”

But instead of ignoring it, he’s adapting. His 2025 plan includes:

• Hiring younger creatives to turn his BTS content into reels and TikToks.
  
• Using content creators at weddings to capture behind-the-scenes (which he can also use for marketing).
  
• Batching BTS filming so he always has content, even when his schedule is packed.
  

Why? Because visibility is the new currency.

“Reels and TikToks aren’t optional anymore. Attention is everything, and if we want to stay relevant, we need systems and people who can make it sustainable.”

What photographers can learn:

• If you hate editing and posting, delegate it so your content doesn’t die on your phone.
  
• BTS footage isn’t just fun—it’s a goldmine for marketing.
  
• Build a system so social media doesn’t take over your life (or burn you out).
  

The Takeaway

Jordan’s story is proof that you don’t need to start with a perfect plan—or be the most extroverted, social-media-savvy photographer—to succeed.

What matters is:

1. Start strategically. Use transition periods to launch your business without risking everything.
   
2. Protect your energy. Diversify your work and build a life outside photography.
   
3. Stay visible. Build systems (or a team) so you can grow your brand without burning out.
   

Want the Full Story?

Listen to the full Say Cheese episode with Jordan Voth, where we talk about:

• His craziest wedding experiences (including orcas, earthquakes, and burnout cures)
  
• How he built a brand that spans weddings, families, and lifestyle work
  

Why 2025 weddings are smaller—and how to pivot with the market