Living the American [Photog] Dream: Shuhrat’s Journey to Wedding Photography
Session
“I’ve been using Session forever, it seems. I’m such a big fan and I’ve been through all the updates and upgrades, through thick and thin!” — Shuhrat
Shuhrat’s journey to building a thriving wedding photography business in Michigan is a true testament to following your passion, no matter where you start. Originally from Bangladesh, where female photographers are rare, Shuhrat’s parents moved her and her younger sister to the U.S. five years ago for a better life, leaving behind her husband (he’s working on it, it’s a process) and everything familiar, but bringing her determination and creativity with her. Oh, and her two rescue cats. Can’t forget them.
The Unexpected Leap into Weddings
Seven years ago, Shuhrat never would’ve guessed she’d become a wedding photographer. She had her sights set on fashion photography. But then her husband (back when they were still dating) gifted her her first Nikon, and things took a turn. Fast-forward to Michigan, where she stumbled into wedding photography—and immediately fell in love.
“Weddings here are so much fun!” she says.
In Bangladesh, wedding photographers were treated more like vendors. Here, she’s part of the magic. It’s that personal connection to the bride and groom that really drew her in. The stakes are high, and she thrives under that pressure. Every wedding is a live show with no do-overs. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.
On the A-Game, Always
Shuhrat’s key to thriving in the wedding world? Prep, connection, and a ton of backups. She’s always got two cameras, two memory cards, two lenses—two of everything. No excuses.
But more than that, she makes it her mission to deeply understand her clients. She’s all about that personal touch—knowing their vision, offering her pro advice, but never being bossy.
“Provide expert opinion as a suggestion, but in the end, the decision is theirs,” she says.
She even shows sneak peeks during the session so the couple feels confident and comfortable. It’s a balance of being the pro and making sure the focus stays on the soon-to-be-married couple.
What Sets Her Apart
Weddings are high-stakes, high-reward, and that’s why Shuhrat’s all in. For her, capturing a wedding is unlike anything else. Headshots? Corporate shoots? They don’t hold a candle to the adrenaline of a wedding day. It’s all about those once-in-a-lifetime moments and the feelings those photos bring up for the couple.
Coming from a family-oriented culture, Shuhrat naturally gravitates toward connecting with not just the couple, but their families too. She makes sure she says goodbye to the parents at the end of the night and always gets those last, heartfelt shots with family. It makes a huge difference, and has become a part of her onlyness, and what keeps new couples knocking.
A Word from the Wedding Wise
Her advice to aspiring wedding photographers? “It’s worth it, but manage your expectations. Being a business owner is different than just being a photographer.”
Running a business is a whole different ball game than just snapping photos. It’s not all creativity; it’s being part of one of the biggest days in someone’s life, and it takes more than just showing up with a camera.
If all you want to do is shoot, maybe start somewhere less high-stakes and work your way up.
Shuhrat’s approach is a great example of how to create a comprehensive client experience from start to finish:
- Initial Inquiry: Clients reach out via her website’s contact form, which goes straight to her email. She prefers to text ASAP to schedule an intro call.
- Consult Call: A 15-30 minute chat to connect deeply, capture the couple’s vision, and get all the key details down while building real rapport.
- Booking: If they’re ready to book, great! If not, she follows up.
- Session Calendar: Contracts and payments are handled through Session, keeping things organized and seamless.
- Booking Gift: A personalized care package—soaps, chocolates, honey, or something fandom-themed if they mention it in the call.
- Check-Ins: Throughout the planning process, she keeps in touch via email—reminding them of timelines, offering tips, and making sure there’s no gap in communication.
- Prep Call: About 4-6 weeks before the big day, she sets up a final planning call to lock in details, and she’s always available for additional calls to keep her couples feeling supported.
- Wedding Day: She’s there for the magic.
- Post-Wedding: Couples get a sneak peek of 5 images the day after, with updates on the next steps. Four weeks later, she sends a check-in, a blog questionnaire, and a link to review the process.
- Gallery Delivery: She does a live reveal, either in person or on Zoom, to experience their reactions in real time.
- Review Reminder: If they haven’t left a review yet, she gently reminds them after gallery delivery.
It’s all about proactive management. Shuhrat loves using Session to streamline every step. She recently migrated all her galleries over from Google Drive (after trying Pixieset) and finds Session perfect for handling everything, especially her Holiday Minis.
If you’re ready to dive into wedding photography, just know—it’s about more than photography. It’s about creating an unforgettable experience from start to finish.
Her pricing reflects that personal touch, starting at $2,500 and going up to $7,500 for her full package, which includes everything from albums to a second photographer. For Shuhrat, it’s not just about showing up with a camera—it’s about creating an experience her clients will never forget.
Final Words
Shuhrat’s been shooting 35-40 weddings a year and has already booked 25 for 2025. She’s proof that with the right mindset and hustle, you can build a thriving business from the ground up.
“Rejections happen, but my growth mindset keeps me moving forward. Every bump in the road is just another opportunity to learn and grow. And for me, that’s what makes the journey worth it.”
