441. Why Most Wedding Pros Burn Out and How Summer Grace Avoided It
Description
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In this episode of the Shifting Focus Podcast, I sit down with wedding photographer and educator Summer Grace to talk about burnout, sustainability, and what it actually takes to build a business that lasts.
Summer shares how she transitioned from elopements to larger weddings, how COVID reshaped her priorities, and the role social media played in her early growth. We talk about designing intentional client experiences, why her engagement sessions are built differently, and how in person connection continues to matter in an increasingly online industry.
We also dive into Summer School, the educational side of her brand, and how she is building community and long term support for photographers through education and shared experience.
This conversation is about choosing longevity over pressure, creativity over constant growth, and building a wedding business that supports your life instead of consuming it.
If you are feeling stretched thin, creatively drained, or questioning the pace of your business, this episode offers a clear look at what another path can look like.
Summer Grace Website
Summer Grace Instagram https://www.instagram.com/summergrace.photo/
Summer School Education https://www.instagram.com/the_summerschool/
Summer Grace Podcast https://summergracephoto.com/podcast-shownotes
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CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 Introducing Summer Grace and the burnout conversation
04:30 Transitioning from elopements to larger weddings
06:57 Social media and early business growth
09:53 How COVID reshaped Summer's priorities
20:19 Education and diversified income streams
23:28 What sustainability actually looks like in practice
25:30 Taking creative risks without burning out
29:47 Designing meaningful client experiences
44:11 Building community through education
46:17 Final thoughts and what's next























