She’s Just a Girl With a Phone…

Darina McCabe Author

A true story that will shift how you show up!

"Wedding Content Creator... She’s Just a Girl With a Phone"

That’s what they say. But we know better!

Prefer to watch or listen? I got you.

The Truth They Don’t See

They don’t see the 12-hour days.

They don’t see the clips edited until 2am.

They don’t see the uploading, the delivery platforms, the careful timeline planning.

They just see a girl with a phone—and they make assumptions.

And maybe… you’ve started to believe them too.

Maybe you’ve felt dismissed. Or doubted. Or treated like an “extra” instead of the storyteller you are.

So I want to tell you a story—one I’ve never forgotten.

When I Stepped Back From My Own Business

Years ago, I started my wedding videography business on my own. I went to film school, I studied editing, I worked hard. I got a few bookings at the start—from people I knew—but it was tough to break through.

Then, during the 2008–2009 recession, my husband Mark lost his job. I asked him to help me with the business. I taught him everything I knew—how to film, how to edit—and we started working together.

But something strange happened. People started enquiring… and addressing the emails to him. Even when I handled the onboarding, did all the pre-wedding calls, and clearly said I’d be filming… one bride emailed him the day after her wedding to say she was disappointed he hadn’t turned up.

He explained I was the videographer. That we were a team.

But her response? “I expected Mark to be there.”

That was the moment something changed in me.

I began to believe maybe the business would grow faster if he was the face of it.

So I stepped back. I let him take the lead at weddings.

And even though I was still doing most of the editing, the marketing, the social content—he got the credit.

My Biggest Regret

Here’s the thing. Mark turned out to be a brilliant videographer. I’m proud of him. But I regret stepping back from my own business. Not because of him—but because I felt I had to, just to be taken seriously.

I know I’m not the only woman who’s ever felt that way.

So if you’ve ever been made to feel “less than” because you’re a woman holding a phone instead of a guy holding a camera—

I want you to hear this from someone who’s lived it:

You Are Not Just a Girl With a Phone

You are the one who notices the tiny details the bride will care about later:

The double chin she didn’t know she had in one angle.

The unflattering shot of her arms.

The tear her mum wiped before anyone saw.

You know what a bride wants to remember.

And more importantly—what she doesn’t.

When I trained Mark to edit, I taught him all the little things only a woman would think of. And that’s how he got so good.

But you already know those things. You already see them.

You understand the energy of the bridesmaids.

You notice the emotional moments no one else catches.

You know how to anticipate the story—not just film it.

That’s not “just a girl with a phone.”

That’s someone with instincts, talent, and heart.

Your Tip This Week: Show Them What You Really Do

You don’t have to convince anyone.

You just have to show them.

Post one clip this week that no one else captured.

• The dad fixing his daughter’s veil.

• The groom crying at the altar.

• The best friends dancing with bare feet and champagne.

Then write a short caption about that moment.

Why you filmed it.

Why it mattered.

That’s what your next bride wants to see.

And that’s what sets you apart.

Let’s Build This – Together

This post is the start of something new:

A weekly series just for Wedding Content Creators like you—filled with stories, strategies, and real talk about what it takes to grow a business in this industry.

I’ve now stepped back from my own videography business so I can walk with you—side by side—as you build a business you’ll love.

One that pays well, feels right, and gives you the respect you deserve.

It’s called Let’s Build This. And it’s going to land here every week—with me, Darina, in your corner.

Let’s Stay Connected

If this resonated with you—even a little—I’d love to hear about it.

You can always drop me a DM over on Instagram— @weddingcontentcreatorcoach

that’s where I hang out and answer all my messages personally.

This isn’t just another blog to read, or a video to watch.

This is a space we’re building together.

Let’s build this.

Darina 💕