Photography Mistakes I Made (And What I Learned)

I've been into photography since I was 12 years old. Back then, I didn’t know a thing about aperture, shutter speed, or ISO. I just liked taking pictures—mostly of random things around my neighborhood. I had no real gear, no understanding of light, and definitely no concept of composition. But I was hooked.

Most of what I know now, I learned through the school of YouTube (aka “YouTube University”). Tutorials, behind-the-scenes videos, gear reviews—you name it, I watched it. But it wasn’t until I saved up and bought my first Nikon DSLR at 16 that things really started to click. That camera was my passport to experimentation, exploration, and a whole lot of trial and error.

Since then, I’ve worked as a wedding photographer for many years, capturing some of the most emotional and important moments in people’s lives. I’ve also built and managed a team of 15 creatives alongside two of my friends, worked with incredible clients, and even opened my own studio space—a dream I had early on, but never imagined would become real this fast.

But along the way, I’ve made a ton of mistakes. Here are a few of the biggest ones—and the lessons they taught me.

1. Relying on Auto Mode for Too Long

The Mistake: When I first started learning photography around age 14, I had no idea what I was doing—so I shot everything in Auto mode. It felt safe. I figured if the camera was smart enough, it would take care of the settings for me. And honestly, at the time, it kind of worked.

What I Learned: Auto mode can only take you so far. It’s great for beginners, but it holds you back creatively. Once I got my first DSLR at 16, I knew it was time to step it up. I pushed myself to learn Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes. That’s when things started to click. I finally began to understand how light, shutter speed, and aperture worked together—and more importantly, I started to feel in control of the camera, instead of the other way around.

Breaking free from Auto mode was one of the first big leaps in my growth as a photographer.

2. Underestimating the Power of Light

The Mistake: In the beginning, I’d shoot any time of day—especially midday, when the sun was harsh and unforgiving.

What I Learned: Light can make or break a photo. Once I started paying attention to golden hour and looking for soft, directional light, my images instantly looked more professional. I also learned to use shadows creatively and appreciate overcast skies instead of dreading them.

3. Ignoring the Background

The Mistake: I’d focus so much on my subject, I wouldn’t even notice the trash can, busy street, or awkward sign behind them.

What I Learned: Backgrounds matter. They either add to the story or distract from it. I learned to slow down, scan the frame, and change my angle or depth of field to clean things up. It’s a small shift, but it makes a huge difference in how intentional your photos look.

4. Going Overboard with Editing

The Mistake: At first, I thought editing meant turning everything up to 11—saturation, contrast, clarity, HDR. Some of those photos were straight-up radioactive.

What I Learned: Subtlety wins. A light hand with editing enhances a photo; a heavy one hides its potential. Now, I edit with intention. I want my photos to feel real, with just enough polish to elevate the mood and tone.

5. Shooting Without a Plan

The Mistake: I’d grab my camera and just wander, hoping something cool would happen.

What I Learned: Spontaneity is great, but a little planning goes a long way. Whether it's scouting a location, creating a mood board, or jotting down a shot list, having a basic plan helps me tell a stronger visual story. It also saves a ton of time and frustration during the shoot.

6. Trial and Error Is the Real Teacher

The Mistake: I used to get frustrated when my photos didn’t look like the ones I admired online. I thought I was doing something wrong, or maybe I just didn’t have “the eye.”

What I Learned: You can watch tutorials all day, but nothing beats just doing it—making mistakes, reviewing your work, and trying again. Every blurry shot taught me something about focus. Every underexposed image showed me the importance of light. Every “bad” photo was a stepping stone to a better one.

The real growth came when I stopped beating myself up and started asking: What can I learn from this?

7. Running a Photography Business Isn’t Just About Photography

The Mistake: Early on, I thought being a full-time photographer meant just taking great photos. I didn’t realize I was also signing up to be a manager, a marketer, a client liaison, a problem solver, and sometimes even a therapist.

What I Learned: Running a business is no joke. For years, I managed a team of 15 people, juggled wedding season chaos, handled client communications, and kept my studio space running smoothly. And here’s the truth—if you don’t pace yourself, if you don’t prioritize the most important things, it will catch up to you.

Burnout is real. Stress compounds quickly. There were moments I felt like I was running at full speed just to stay in place. The key lesson? You can’t do it all at once. Learn to delegate, to say no, to set boundaries, and to take care of yourself—not just your business.

Owning a studio, managing a team, and being creatively "on" all the time is rewarding, but it requires discipline, structure, and support. Don’t let the hustle overshadow your love for the craft.

8. Comparing Myself to Everyone Else

The Mistake: I’d scroll through Instagram and see perfectly curated feeds and feel like I was falling behind.

What I Learned: Comparison is a creativity killer. Everyone’s journey is different, and no one posts their failed shots. Instead of comparing, I started studying. I’d look at photos I admired and ask myself why they worked—what techniques they used, what emotion they captured. That shift turned jealousy into motivation.

Final Thoughts

I’ve learned that photography isn’t about being perfect—it’s about constantly improving. Mistakes are part of the process. In fact, they’re necessary. If I hadn’t messed up so many times, I wouldn’t have learned half as much.

Whether you’re just starting out or running a full-time photography business, just know this: growth doesn’t come from getting it right—it comes from showing up, failing, learning, and doing it again.

What mistakes have you made in your photography journey? I’d love to hear them— send me a message. Let’s connect and let’s learn together.