This post comes with so much gratitude, but I also hope to inform and inspire a few people.    A lot of photographers are curious about getting published, how it all works, is it worth it??   I’m no expert, but I will tell you a little bit about my experience my first two years using Two Bright Lights.  (TBL)   So TBL is a publishing platform that helps photographers submit to a TON of different publications, you can check all that out on their site!

So my first year when I was a newbie I remember this big crazy TBL world!   I had not really shot weddings yet so I went digging through the submission requests for anything and everything I could submit.   YES there are options even if you don’t shoot weddings!   This was a scary but exciting place.   The thought of someone actually liking my images enough to feature them was mind blowing!    I was extremely impressed with the site and how user friendly and easy the whole process was.   I was hooked.    But here is the TRUTH!   Every publish comes with plenty of rejections.   There are still many websites that have rejected me time and time again.   BUT I keep going.  A publisher rejecting my images will not define who I am as a photographer or a person.   It is hard sometimes to remember that, but being published does not make me good or great, the way I treat my clients is so much more important… and I hope that my work will speak for itself.   I started small, and submitted to anything and everything…. now I’m a little more selective trying to find sites or print publications that really fit my branding, market, and will best share my work.

So long story short, I love using TBL!   I think anyone can benefit from it and any photographer with a little heart and drive can totally have success using it.   But that does NOT mean its easy.  I have spent hours submitting, it is an entire step added to my workflow, it really does take a little dedication to make it worth the investment….. but like everything in life, with hard work and being passionate about what you do, the outcome will take care of itself!     So if you have been hesitating, get on out there and give it a try!

I will leave you with a quick pro and con list!

Pros:
You get to share your awesome Client’s photos…they can re-live their special day through someone else’s eyes.
Great exposure/SEO/It helps get your name out there!
credibility
Makes you feel proud and happy!
Saves you time compared to submitting outside of TBL

Cons:
An added step to your workflow
lots of rejection emails (just keep at it)
cost some money (I think its worth it)
Some publications are not timely in reviewing submissions, or the publication date.   ( I personally just don’t submit to them again if this happens, this is not TBL’s fault)

So really though….. words can not describe how grateful I am that my little business is among the top 5% in getting published through Two Bright Lights for the last two years.    I know that so much of that is the work I put into submitting…. I really pushed hard to make sure all my brides got some special shine time!   But it is not just hard work, its my awesome clients and brides!   I love sharing their images with the world.  They work so hard to make their day special and beautiful, how cool is it to see those images published!   Thank you to EVERYONE who has supported my little business along the way!   This is just one of many things that goes one behind the scenes, and I just love every bit of it.

Work hard, your dreams are worth it!