u/Itchy_Strain_1550

I am about 12+ years into my wedding photography career.
I love what I do and have very good client feedback and I consider myself solid.
I like the price range I’m at and make a good living.

I would love some tips for injecting more art and fun little creative ideas into my day without necessarily jeopardizing the quality and stability and of my current work. I usually have a 2nd photographer with me who mostly shoots and sometimes assists throughout the day, but I rotate about 5-6 people so I feel like changing how I do things might be difficult with new/rotating shooters.

I have a lot of toys, lenses, lighting that I’d like to try more of, but they often end up staying in my bag or not getting a lot of action.

I usually show up early, have a mood board and some ideas in mind in my notes, but I find that the day is non stop and I don’t get to reflect on them much. I have used assistants before but I found they weren’t really able to help me focus on that or it felt like too many people.

What do you find has been a game changer for you? Less/more travel? Longer amounts of coverage or a “full day coverage” type of pricing? A second photographer who acts more as an assistant? More time to “huddle” with the creative team? Having your 2nd photographer be the one to get the “solid” moments while you get creative? Training a 2nd/assistant from scratch who uses your equipment? Shooting/2nd shooting some weddings for free just to have fun with it? I usually second shoot a few weddings a year with a few creative goals in mind, but ultimately am serving the lead shooter so not everything gets to happen on those days. Styled shoots are also an option, but aren’t quite what I have in mind.

I would love to level up in this department, especially if you have been there before and would love advice! TIA

I’m posting on behalf of a relative. She is experiencing a lot of distress over thick saliva, a sense that her teeth are shifting, and a lisp that is developing. She had a very large kidney stone about a year ago now. I’ve noticed her tongue placement is a little different but nothing looks different to me. Her dentist doesn’t notice anything but made her a mouth guard that didn’t make a difference. It is not Sjogren's syndrome. She’s never had orthodontics and has not seen an SLP or orthodontist but has seen dentist, ENT, rheumatology. Any ideas? Her level of frustration and distress over this has me confused about what to do next. Would love help figuring out possibilities if you’ve seen anything similar. TIA