With Colorado Photographer Tyler Rebekah Wright
In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with my best friend and Colorado wedding photographer, Tyler Rebekah Wright, to discuss our shared experiences with burnout in the wedding industry. Our friendship began in 2021 when we were both experiencing severe burnout, though we didn’t recognize it as such at the time. What started as a simple coffee date turned into hours of vulnerability and ultimately a profound friendship.
Meet Tyler Rebekah Wright
Tyler Rebekah Wright is a Northern Colorado portrait and wedding photographer who has been capturing moments with her camera for the past 15 years. This year marks the 8th anniversary of her wedding photography business. Tyler’s passion lies in making people feel loved and comfortable in front of the camera, and she believes in creating authentic memories that will last a lifetime. In addition to her photography business, Tyler is also a dedicated real estate agent serving clients throughout Colorado, bringing her eye for detail and personal touch to help people find their perfect homes.
Tyler began her wedding photography journey in Houston, Texas, where she experienced the intense “hustle culture” before moving to Colorado, where she found a more balanced pace of life that includes a much-needed off-season.
Recognizing the Signs of Burnout as Photographers & Entrepreneurs
During our conversation, Tyler opened up about the warning signs of burnout that she experienced but didn’t immediately recognize:
- Complete lack of joy in her work
- Inability to sleep
- Getting sick more frequently
- Becoming short-tempered (which was out of character)
- Feeling constantly overwhelmed by her to-do list
- A pervasive sense of being stuck and hopeless
Tyler described a pivotal moment at what should have been a career highlight—photographing a wedding at a beautiful mountain ski resort—when she found herself weeping during a break. Despite achieving what she had dreamed of professionally, she realized she had sacrificed too much to get there, including her mental health and wellbeing.
The Root Causes of Burnout in the Wedding Industry
According to Tyler, one of the biggest drivers of burnout in the wedding industry is the constant pursuit of “more”—more bookings, more money, more success—without setting appropriate boundaries.
“The thing that I believe leads to burnout, especially in the wedding industry, is chasing money and success… I chased it. And then at the end of the year, you realize, did I have any bit of room for myself this year? Did I make any memories with my husband? Did I take care of myself? How’s my health?”
She emphasized that it’s important to chase dreams, but in a “smart way” that doesn’t run you into the ground.
The Physical and Mental Impact of Burnout on Creatives
The effects of burnout extended far beyond Tyler’s professional life:
- Mental health in “pure chaos,” constantly expecting worst-case scenarios
- Feeling completely overwhelmed by even small requests
- Damaged relationships due to inability to keep up
- Loss of creativity and operating on “autopilot”
- Seeing clients as items on a checklist rather than people
Tyler also shared a profound realization: “I think we create this image of what success is… high energy, big capacity, incredibly loving, dependable. And I couldn’t keep it up because at the end of the day, I’m not a high energy person.”
This mismatch between her perceived ideal self and her authentic self contributed significantly to her burnout.
Finding a Way Out: The First Steps Toward Recovering
For Tyler, the first step toward recovery came when she allowed herself to hit the reset button at the beginning of 2022. Though she doesn’t recommend such a dramatic approach for everyone, it was necessary for her at the time:
- She said no to almost everything, including taking things already on her plate
- Created space in some relationships that weren’t serving her
- Reclaimed her physical space to give herself mental breathing room
“Nothing was worse than feeling stuck. Nothing. And that was my why… This feels horrible, this feels terrible doing all this hard work and heart work that I’ve never done before. But nothing feels worse than how I’ve felt for the last year.”
Building a Sustainable Business and Life
After beginning the recovery process, Tyler implemented several practices to maintain her wellbeing and prevent future burnout:
- Literally writing “REST” on her calendar in spaces she wanted to protect
- Taking at least one weekend off per month, no matter what
- Limiting social commitments during busy weeks
- Not projecting dread into future busy periods
- Creating a smaller, more supportive social circle
“I live my life by my calendar… I literally started writing the words ‘rest’ in all the spaces on my calendar that I felt like I would need. If I don’t write anything in a box, I’m gonna fill it with something.”
Rekindling Creativity After Burnout
When asked how she gets her creative spark back during exhaustion, Tyler shared:
- Looking to Pinterest for inspiration when her own creativity feels depleted
- Leaning on industry friends and second shooters for fresh ideas
- Making lists of creative ideas to reference when her brain feels foggy
- Taking a few minutes during shoots to connect with clients on a personal level
Outside of photography, Tyler finds creativity and refreshment through:
- Intentionally moving slowly on her days off
- Spending time outdoors in the sunshine
- Puzzling (which forces her to slow down)
- Reading and writing
Supporting Each Other Through Burnout in the Wedding Industry
Both Tyler and I emphasized the importance of having at least one person who truly understands what you’re going through. For photographers and other wedding vendors experiencing burnout, having someone who can:
- Listen without judgment
- Provide perspective when you’re “in the weeds”
- Give you permission to rest or step back when needed
- Understand the unique challenges of the industry
Tyler recommends Lysa TerKeurst’s book “Good Boundaries and Goodbyes” as a helpful resource for those struggling to set boundaries.
Final Words of Wisdom and Encouragement
Tyler’s advice for anyone experiencing burnout:
“Don’t be afraid to talk about this. Find just one person… You get one life. You just get one. And you have to invest in yourself. You’ve got to make time for yourself. Investing in yourself is the best investment you’ll ever make.”
She reminded listeners that boundaries are not weaknesses—they’re protection. And while it takes hard work to navigate burnout and recovery, “on the other side, it’s so worth it. You have so much more freedom.”
Thank you for joining us for this deeply personal conversation about burnout and recovery. Remember that if you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone, and it’s okay to ask for help and to take a break. Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it’s necessary.
Connect with Tyler Rebekah Wright, Colorado Wedding Photographer and Real Estate Agent
- Website: tylerrebekahwright.com
- Photography Instagram: @tylerrebekahwright
- Real Estate Instagram: @homesbytrw
Check out Tyler’s recommended book: Good Boundaries and Goodbyes by Lysa TerKeurst
Connect with Logan of Mrs. Ferree Photography and host of The Sundae Best
For more photography business insights and resources:
- Learn about 1:1 mentorships with me, Logan Ferree, Colorado wedding photographer and mentor!
- Follow me on Instagram for more tips and interviews: @the.sundae.best
- Visit our show website for more episodes: thesundaebest.com
- Follow my photography work: @mrs.ferreephotography and mrsferreephotography.com
Thanks for joining me on The Sundae Best! New episodes drop every Sunday on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can join my email list if you’d like to receive these straight to your inbox!
