Today, I’m pulling back the curtain to share some of my most memorable and cringe-worthy photography fails. Even after 13.5 years in the industry, mistakes happen—and hopefully, sharing these will bring a few laughs and remind you that even seasoned pros have those “oops” moments.

Why Share My Worst Mistakes?

We all make mistakes, and sometimes it’s comforting to know you’re not alone. It’s easy to look at someone’s highlight reel and assume they’ve got it all figured out, but the truth is, mistakes are part of the journey. Each one is a learning experience, and my hope is that by sharing mine, we can all feel a bit more human and a little less alone. So, here they are—my top three photography fails, served with a dose of humility!

Story #1: The Wedding Wardrobe Malfunction

This first story goes back ten years, to when I was pregnant with my daughter, Piper. I was shooting a beautiful wedding out in the middle of nowhere, accompanied by a second shooter. During a quick bathroom break, I had a major wardrobe malfunction: I accidentally peed on my skirt! In a panic, I rinsed it in the sink and searched for help. I ended up borrowing a skirt from the groom’s mother, and by the time I came back, everyone knew what happened. I had to laugh it off and finish the wedding in a borrowed skirt. Lesson learned: always carry a backup outfit!

Story #2: The Case of the Lost Memory Card

This happened early in my photography journey. I was in Washington for a packed weekend of sessions and had just finished a beautiful sister shoot. I tucked my memory card into my pocket as I headed into Costco with my mom, only to realize later that it was gone. I searched everywhere, but it was never found. I ended up refunding the clients and reshooting the session the following month. Since that day, I always shoot on two memory cards and never take them out until they’re going directly into my computer. It was a tough lesson, but it made me a more careful photographer.

Story #3: The Forgotten Camera Fiasco

This one is the most recent and probably the most embarrassing. One summer day, after a fun afternoon at Bear Lake with family, I was preparing for a session only to realize… I’d forgotten my camera! Ten minutes before the shoot, I found myself without a camera. I scrambled to find someone nearby with a full-frame camera to borrow, and by a stroke of luck, I did. I ended up shooting the entire session on an unfamiliar camera, dealing with dying batteries and hoping for the best. Thankfully, the photos turned out fine, but it was a stressful experience. Lesson learned: double-check my gear before heading out.

What These Stories Taught Me

These mishaps, though mortifying at the time, have taught me resilience, humility, and the importance of having a supportive community. It’s easy to be hard on ourselves when we make mistakes, but the truth is, we’re all human. Every blunder is an opportunity to grow and a reminder to extend grace to ourselves and others.

Share Your Photography Fails!

I’d love to hear your own photography horror stories! Head over to my Instagram, where I’ll be posting a question box so we can all share and laugh together. Let’s remind each other that no one is perfect, and these stories are all part of the adventure.

So, here’s to the blunders that make us stronger photographers and better business owners. Thanks for reading about my worst photography stories, and remember: mistakes happen, but it’s how we handle them that truly counts.