How to Quit Your Job and Go Full-Time as a Photographer: What I Wish I Knew
So you want to know how to quit your job and go full-time as a photographer? Hell yes! Before you hand in your notice, here’s a few things I wish I knew ahead of time.
Quitting your corporate job to go full-time in your photography business is equal parts exciting and terrifying.
As I’m posting this blog, it’s been one full year of me going all in on my elopement photography business. A year ago, I walked away from my steady paycheck, my engineering career, and the only work life I had ever known to go all in on my elopement photography business.
And now, one year later, I want to share the biggest lessons, wins, and mistakes from my first year of being my own boss.
If you’re thinking about quitting your 9-5—or dreaming about it—I hope these insights help you prepare for a smooth transition when the time comes.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
Heads up, friend! This post contains some affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
But here’s the deal—I only recommend things I actually use in my own business. These are the exact tools that helped me go full-time as a photographer, and I swear by them. No sketchy suggestions here—just tried-and-tested resources to help you on your own journey. ?
If you decide to use any of these links, thank you! You’re supporting my business while investing in yours, and that’s a total win-win. Now, let’s dive in! ?
Lesson #1: Save Before You Quit—But Make a Plan
What I Did:
As part of my quit cushion, I saved a little more than six months of expenses (roughly $23K) before quitting, which felt like a solid amount for our needs. I wanted to make sure I was holding up my end of the household bills without putting any burden on my husband.
What I Wish I Had Done Differently:
But a few months before I quit, I made a very knee-jerk decision to buy a $45K car that I really didn’t need (hello, $720 monthly payment ?)—and most importantly, I didn’t account for it in my savings plan. Oops.
Takeaway: If you’re preparing to quit, avoid major financial decisions (like buying a new car) right before you leave or at least accounting for them in your savings plan.
? Action Step:
- Figure out exactly how much you need saved before quitting (use my Quit Calculator to do the math for you).
- Plan how you’ll use your savings & plan for large purchases so you don’t make impulsive financial decisions that eat into your emergency fund.
✅ Not sure how much to save? Get my Quit Calculator to do the math for you!
Lesson #2: Create an Exit Strategy That You’re Proud Of
What I Did:
The hardest part of leaving corporate was knowing I was leaving my team hanging. I loved my team, and I felt like my departure was letting them down.
So before I left, I spent months creating training materials, guides, walkthrough videos, and PowerPoints to make sure they had everything they needed. To this day, those trainings are still used for new hires, and my team was so grateful I created them.
What I Wish I Had Done Differently:
I didn’t start early enough, so I didn’t finish everything before my last day.
Takeaway: If you care about your team, prepare them well before your last day.
? Action Step:
- Start your exit strategy at least 3-6 months before handing in your notice (depending on your role).
- Make sure your team has everything they need so you’re not their go-to for help after you leave. I used Loom to screen record trainings for my team!
Lesson #3: “Pay” Yourself Before You Quit
What I Did:
I started using the Profit First method late in my quit journey. Instead of just taking my business income and paying expenses randomly, I set up sub-accounts for things like:
✅ Expenses
✅ Payroll
✅ Taxes
✅ Business emergency savings
What I Wish I Had Done Differently:
I just wish I had started earlier. This made my transition seamless because I had a system in place for paying myself consistently. Butttt while I was working corporate, I wasn’t actually paying myself. Instead, I was building up my payroll account so that by the time I left, I had a surplus of money saved—giving me a consistent paycheck from day one.
Takeaway: Start managing your money like a CEO NOW, not after you quit.
? Action Step:
- Open multiple business accounts following the Profit First method (I use BlueVine for this).
- Start cushioning your payroll account as soon as possible.
Lesson #4: Keep A Routine
What I Did:
After years of balancing a job and a business, I was used to being intentional with my time. I had a routine, and I knew exactly what I needed to get done to keep the balance (and my sanity).
I was so excited about my newfound time freedom that I went completely feral—no schedule, no structure, just waking up whenever and doing whatever I felt like.
What I Wish I Had Done Differently:
Turns out, reading the entire Sarah J. Maas universe instead of working on my marketing strategy isn’t a sustainable business plan (who knew?!). Without structure, my productivity tanked, and I struggled to stay consistent.
Takeaway: Once you quit, keep a routine. It doesn’t have to be rigid, but set work hours for yourself so you keep making progress.
? Action Step:
- Set work hours for yourself and keep a working routine.
- Use time-blocking to balance client work, admin tasks, and personal time.
Lesson #5: Build Your Community Before You Quit
What I Did:
One of my biggest fears about leaving corporate was losing my work friends. Even in a job I hated, I loved having coworkers to bond with over the shared chaos. That corporate-trauma bonding was real.
I was so worried I’d feel lonely as an entrepreneur—so many business owners say that happens once they go full-time.
But something unexpected happened…
I had already built a new kind of community.
What Actually Happened:
Before I quit, I made friends in my industry through masterminds and mutual connections. These were people who had similar work schedules, understood what I was going through, and filled the social gap I thought I would miss.
Now, I talk to some of them every single day. My fears of loneliness never became a reality because I had intentionally built relationships with people who got it.
Looking back, this was one of the biggest things that set me up for success—creating a circle of friend-preneurs and business besties who supported me through the transition.
Takeaway: Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be lonely—build your community BEFORE you quit. Join masterminds, group coaching (like the Elopement Photographer Laboratory), networking groups, or even find biz friends on Instagram. Your future self will thank you.
? Action Step:
- Join masterminds, group coaching programs, or networking groups.
- Find biz besties on Instagram (DM people you vibe with and start conversations!).
- Surround yourself with people who get it so you don’t feel alone.
- Follow me on Instagram and TikTok if you need someone in your corner!
Thinking About Quitting? Here’s Your Checklist
If you’re dreaming about quitting but want to make sure you’re actually prepared, here’s what I recommend:
✅ Save at least 6 months of expenses (See exactly how much with the Quit Calculator)
✅ Start fake paying yourself now with a structured system like Profit First
✅ Start your exit strategy NOW if you want to leave your team strong
✅ Keep a routine after you quit so you don’t end up like me and binge reading
✅ Start building a community so you don’t feel isolated when you leave corporate like the Elopement Photographer Laboratory
If you’ve made it this far, you’re my kinda person. My goal is to help those a few steps behind me learn from both my mistakes and my successes.
?Ready to go full-time in your photography business? Learn how the Elopement Photographer Laboratory is the first step towards growing a thriving and sustainable photography business while you work full time.
Final Thoughts: What’s Holding You Back?
Quitting corporate is a huge leap, and no amount of preparation makes it completely stress-free. But if you start planning now, you can make sure that when you do quit, it’s on your terms—without panic, burnout, or regrets.
So tell me—what’s the biggest thing holding you back from quitting? Drop a comment below or send me a DM on Instagram @annaholdennn. I’d love to connect!
