We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gary Lun a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Gary, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
As a wedding photographer balancing a full-time job outside of photography and raising two children, resilience is essential. Many people say that passion alone can help you overcome all obstacles. While this is partly true, I believe a deep sense of purpose and gratitude is one of the main drivers of resilience.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments for many wedding couples. The trust my clients place in me and the ability to provide for my family through my artistic work fuel my determination to keep going, even when times get tough. Seeing my couples’ expressions during the photo reveal, when they first see their wedding pictures, brings me immense joy. The happiness and memories they get to keep as tangible items for the rest of their lives are unparalleled.
Maintaining my passion for photography while managing a career and family life has taught me profound lessons about resilience. My love for capturing special moments, coupled with learning from challenges and having a deep sense of purpose and gratitude, enables me to thrive in both my professional and personal life. Passion keeps me inspired, learning from challenges keeps me improving, and purpose keeps me grounded and motivated. Together, they form the foundation of my resilience, allowing me to navigate this demanding but incredibly rewarding journey.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a wedding and engagement photographer based in Atlanta, Georgia, and the most exciting part of my job is meeting diverse people and experiencing various cultures, all united by one common goal: celebrating their love on the best day of their lives.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that many couples initially feel awkward in front of the camera, concerned about how they look, and eager to find a photographer they can trust. They want someone who can capture raw, authentic moments that truly speak to them. That’s why my photography style focuses on joyful and timeless moments, ensuring that even when your grandchildren see the photos years from now, they’ll feel the same joy and excitement of your wedding day.
As a boutique wedding photography service, I offer a range of personalized services, from creating your wedding timeline to designing your wedding album and ordering canvas prints that ship directly to your doorstep. I am also expanding to offer family photography for past clients and new families who find me online. Additionally, I am launching coaching services for photographers who are working full-time jobs but want to explore wedding photography as a side hustle.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Time Management
There is never enough time in any day to get everything done—especially when balancing a full-time job and raising two kids. It can feel impossible to achieve. However, once I learned to take small, actionable steps toward my big goals, I realized I could manage my workload more effectively. By setting small, achievable goals each day, I began to see significant progress.
For instance, I used to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of photos to cull and edit after a wedding. But by breaking down the process into manageable sections—getting ready, ceremony, dances, reception—I could focus on one part each day. This approach allowed me to finish editing before the next weekend, streamlining my workflow significantly. I often tell my coaching students that they can complete a wedding, from planning to photographing to traveling, within 20 hours by adopting similar strategies.
Purpose and Gratitude
Finding a deep sense of purpose and celebrating small wins are crucial for resilience as an entrepreneur and small business owner. Initially, I thought I could only celebrate once my photos were published in a wedding magazine. However, I learned to appreciate and celebrate smaller achievements, like receiving a five-star client review or an enthusiastic Instagram post from a happy couple. These small wins keep me motivated and remind me of the impact my work has on others.
By managing my time effectively and staying grounded in purpose and gratitude, I can navigate the challenges of balancing multiple roles. These practices not only help me stay resilient but also ensure that I continue to thrive in both my professional and personal life.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’d love to partner and collaborate with other wedding vendors who share my values. If you are a wedding venue owner, wedding planner, florist, DJ, videographer, etc., or basically a wedding vendor, I’d love to connect with you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://garylun.com
- Instagram: garylunphotography
- Facebook: garylunphotography
Image Credits
Gary Lun Photography
