Post-wedding hangover.
It’s what we call the day after a wedding. I don’t drink so I’m not sure exactly how it compares to a real hangover. But basically you feel like you’ve been hit by a bus. Somewhere between forgetting about eating and using the bathroom, lugging around heavy gear and using lots of adrenaline to catch the big moments, your body is fully exhausted.
Over the past few years I’ve figured out a few remedies to avoid and recover from the post-wedding hangover. The key is to implement at least one of these ideas then slowly work up to all of them. Just like everything in photography it can get expensive. In comparison to my weekly chiropractor trips in the past, these are a no-brainer for me now and totally worth the cash.
1. Don’t use a neck strap
Get all that heavy gear off your neck. Have you ever weighed your camera body and lenses? With only one camera body and one lens my gear is at least five pounds. For a year I was going to the chiropractor at least once a week and making absolutely no progress because I wasn’t fixing the cause.
Here are a few suggestions for better camera straps:
Hold Fast Money Maker
Spider Pro Camera Holster
BLACK RAPID STRAP
2. Use a roller bag
Again, get that gear off your body- off your neck and off your shoulders. It’s way too much weight to hang off your body all day. Get a rolling case immediately.
Manfrotto MP-RL-70BB Pro Roller Bag 70 [MY CHOICE]
Pelican 1510-000-110 Carry On Case
Lowepro Pro Runner x350 AW DSLR Backpack
3. Hire an assistant
I hired an assistant starting in May and it was the best thing I’ve ever done for my business. Every one needs a Rachel in their lives. She does it all – the wedding day shooting and assisting, packaging, culling, print orders, watching my kids, helping around the house…etc. She takes a HUGE load off of me.
4. An ergonomic chair
For every hour we shoot, there’s about four times as many hours (at least) spent at our desks editing, marketing, blogging, emailing, etc. You have to get an ergonomic chair to support your back, and neck. I was so worried about having a cute chair, or a cheap chair that I wasted so many years in a terribly uncomfortable one.
5. Pan Away
I’m not a crazy oil person, but one thing I cannot live without is Pan Away! This oil is for sore muscles, necks, backs, etc. Rub a few drops on them and headaches and neck aches instantly vanish.
( ps I also have nothing against crazy oil people. ;) I have lots of amazing friends that are crazy oil people ;) I just say that so you don’t think I’m trying to sell you something. )
shop here OR | directly from Young Living
6. Take Time to Relax
No matter what I do to reduce my hangover, it’s inevitable. You NEED to relax after the craziness of a wedding weekend. With these tips you’ll feel less sore, less pain, less stress, but you will definitely still feel tired. Binge watch Netflix, and take a long post-wedding nap! You have to have Netflix to survive wedding season ;).
Tips for a Wedding Photographer
Kylee started Kylee Ann Photography 9 years ago, and has since grown from a one woman amateur show to a full associate team. We shoot 50-75 weddings a year, and thrive on kindness and service. After a year of teaching Intro to Photography at the local technical college, she discovered that helping other entrepreneurs create thriving businesses is what fires her up! She hosts semi-annual Kylee Ann Sleepovers all over the US, speak at conferences and teach online courses about running a small business and marketing.
February 4, 2016
Kylee Maughan
