Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Snider.
Hi Sydney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My photography journey started in 2007 when I traveled to Europe with a student ambassador program and brought along a little 5MP point-and-shoot camera. When I got home, I was proudly showing off all the photos I had taken to my cousin when she told me I had an eye for photography. Apparently, that was all the encouragement I needed because I ran with it.
Over the next few years, I photographed everything I could, from friends and self portraits to local bands and eventually my first wedding in 2012. I spent years learning, experimenting, and building my business while working other jobs before finally taking the leap and becoming a full-time photographer in 2016.
Now, almost 20 years after picking up that first camera and 14 years after photographing my first wedding, I’ve photographed more than 300 weddings and built a career that takes me throughout Michigan, Chicago, and beyond. It’s pretty surreal to look back at that 15-year-old with her point-and-shoot camera and realize I actually turned that little spark into my dream job.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road by any means. One of the biggest struggles early on was having people close to me, especially my parents, question whether photography could actually become a sustainable career. I heard a lot of questions about my “Plan B,” how I was going to pay my bills, and whether I could really make a living doing this.
At the same time, I was building my photography business while working another full-time job. There were times I had to turn down bookings because of my work schedule, which was incredibly frustrating when photography was what I really wanted to be doing.
In 2016, I finally took the leap and left my full-time job to pursue photography full time. It was scary, but looking back, having people question whether I could make it as a full time wedding photographer only made me more determined to prove that I could.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in wedding photography with a focus on true-to-life imagery, genuine emotion, and all of the little moments happening in between. My approach is a mix of natural, candid storytelling and gentle direction, so my couples can feel comfortable in front of the camera while still having space to actually experience their wedding day.
I think what sets me apart is the experience I bring beyond simply taking beautiful photos. After more than 300 weddings, I know how quickly a wedding day moves and how important it is to be both adaptable and calm. I know when to step in and offer direction, and when to step back and let a moment unfold naturally.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my couples place in me. I get to document not only their relationship, but the people they love, their traditions, and moments they may not even realize are happening. At the end of the day, I want their photos to feel like their wedding actually felt, not just what it looked like.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the last 14 years is that communication and preparation can make all the difference. Before a wedding day, I want to have a solid plan, know the locations we’re working with, understand what’s most important to my couple, and make sure expectations are clear.
So much of creating a relaxed wedding day actually happens before I ever pick up my camera. Taking the time to work through timelines, logistics, and potential hiccups beforehand saves so much time and stress on the actual day. The more prepared I am, the more my couples can simply be present and enjoy their wedding, and I can focus on documenting it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sydneymariephotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydneymariephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sydneymariephoto
