Pulling Back the Curtain on the Wedding Industry — My Interview on The Preferred List Podcast

If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of a wedding day, or what it takes to build a creative business that balances heart and strategy, this episode is for you!

I had the incredible honor of being featured on The Preferred List: A Wedding Vendor Podcast, where I got to share my journey from studying architecture to becoming a wedding photographer. And how that path shaped the experience I now create for my couples and clients.

About The Preferred List

Hosted by James Alison, The Preferred List pulls back the curtain on the wedding industry, featuring honest conversations with planners, photographers, DJs, florists, and more. Each episode dives into the stories, lessons, and moments that make weddings unforgettable, and what it really takes to earn a spot on “the list.”

What We Talked About

In my episode, we talked about the heart behind the Heather Marie Photography experience, and the systems that make it all work! 

A few of my favorite topics:

• How I help my couples stay present during their wedding day through timeline planning and intentional pauses
  
• Why I believe in creating a best friend experience instead of a vendor-client relationship
  
• The “four core poses” I start with at every session before moving into the creative magic
  
• The reality that only 20% of photography is actually taking photos (the other 80% is running a business!)
  
• How I manage motherhood and business through efficient systems and dedicated “CEO days”
  
• A little bit about my tax education work for fellow creative entrepreneurs
  

Why This Conversation Meant So Much

This episode felt like the perfect blend of my two worlds. Sharing the heart behind the experience I create for my couples while also offering real, practical advice for other creatives in this industry.

Whether you’re a wedding vendor, future bride or groom, or a creative entrepreneur, I hope this conversation encourages you to pursue your craft with intention and confidence.

🎧 You can listen to the episode here.

And don’t forget to subscribe to The Preferred List to hear more amazing behind-the-scenes stories from other incredible wedding pros!

XOXO – Heather

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Let’s Prep for Tax Season – Together

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Want taxes to suck less? Learn how to correctly prepare your taxes for your accountant with the Photographer Tax Course – and say hello to a confident and calm tax season!

Don’t know what you don’t know? You’re just 90 minutes from a custom tax prep system with my 1:1 Tax Prep Mentoring sessions!

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Other Blog Posts for Photographers:

The Best Apps for Photographers to Track Business Expenses
Understanding Amortization for Photographers