http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/15/business...&ei=5087%0A


I know lots of the women on the boards are moms too. When did you become a photographer? Before or after children?

Bill

I totally posted this first

http://www.opensourcephoto.net/forum/index...c=10235&hl=

I'm not a mother, though I have been called that -- with a little addition at the end...

Well, I became a photographer after becoming a mother.

But I also earned my bachelors degree and my masters degree in education after becoming a mother and I taught school for 16 years after becoming a mother.

I'm not sure what one has to do with the other.

And how many became photographers after becoming a father? Not me.

Thanks. Did you take a look at the NY times article? It just got me thinking if becoming a mother was the motivation or not.
I started photography when I was 16 and I know I wasn't a father then.

Yes, I read the article.

Being a mother a motivation? Well, I seriously considered becoming a teacher when the teachers in our state were on strike and I knew that even at poverty level salaries, many of them were over paid. Then I thought about the advantages of being on the same schedule as my kids when they started school and decided to give it a try.

But what I found out was that I was a really good teacher.

There are lots of mothers that find work that fits their schedules and earns them a little extra money outside of photography. As someone mentioned in the other thread, many of the successful 'MWAC' have graphic design backgrounds. It's a natural progression to use their skills and talents. And I know lots of mothers who have no interest in becoming photographers and will never consider pursuing the photography business.

And though the camera is the tool I use now, I considered myself an artist long before I had children.

Before and after... I actually began school before and graduated after... But I did finish school and continue my education with PPA and KPPA. My motivation was not being Mom, it helped but it didn't start out that way. My motivation was the beautiful photos that my Grandfather took and then after my Mamaw died when I was 15, I decided right then that I would take photos that would be important someday to my grandkids... There are a lot of "Moms with Cameras" who are very good, I know many but then there are those that got a digital camera for Christmas and now they are shooting weddings for $100. I wouldn't step on anyone's toes because I just don't do that, I try to be good to everyone, but I do say that I am not happy about it. I have lost a lot of business because of this. But as I was talking with another professional photographer in my town, it is normal, it happens every 5 or ten years and quailty professional photography will always be sought after, it is our job to just keep sharpening our skills and offering the quality that only a professional can. *stepping off soapbox now*

My friend Natasha was featured in that article. Her work is great natashacuevas.com.
We added the photography end of our biz 3 months before our first child was born.