Aspiring Photographer: Photography Advice and Inspiration

Starting a Baby and Kids Photography Business: Video Welcome!

Just a little video welcome from me to you. I've had my blog for a couple years now, but am just now starting to add video! Thanks for visiting my blog for new baby and children photographers. I hope I can help you!

Mary Lynne Ashley

Become a Fan on Facebook

 I have a Facebook fan page for my studio, Ashley Photography. Please check it out and become a fan! I update it frequently with images from recent sessions, info about upcoming specials, etc. I also post about upcoming classes, etc.

Moms with Cameras

There has been a huge shift in the photography profession in the past several years, and many photographers are struggling. Digital photography has changed the field in unprecedented ways. As a result, two things have happened. Many people are meeting their photography needs themselves rather than hiring a photographer, and countless people are entering the profession with little or no experience. Quite honestly, it has many photographers scared to death. The main purpose of my blog is to address those people  who are starting out or who want to start out in children’s photography while upholding the standards of our profession.

People who might have previously gone to a professional photographer are now choosing to take the photos themselves. This applies to just about every type of photography.  I have had clients proudly show me their fancy new digital SLR camera, and then never heard from them again. People are taking their own photos for high-school yearbooks, their friends are photographing their weddings and giving them a disk.

Many people are “hanging a shingle” and calling themselves a photographer, even though they have no photography training.  They may have taken some good photos, and someone told them they should start doing it for a little money on the side.  The barriers to entry have become fewer, as people can purchase a decent camera at a reasonable price and can produce what they consider to be decent photos without needing photography training.  Create a cheap website, print up a few business cards, and they’re “in business.” But many of these people are not qualified to present themselves as a professional photographer, and it reflects poorly on all of us who are.

Derogatory terms for these new photographers abound. “Soccer Moms” is the one I hear the most. “Moms with Cameras” is one I hear a lot, too, and I’ve also heard “Digital Debbies.” Notice something in common about these terms? They all refer to women! Are people just disguising their disdain for women entering the field, or are they just fed up with poorly qualified “photographers”? I know that when I started as a photographer I was a mom with a soccer-playing kid. So I was the stereotypical soccer mom deciding to start a photography business because I enjoyed taking photos of my own kids.

If you are a mom who is just starting out in this field, or anyone just starting out for that matter, my goal is to provide some initial guidance so that you can prove them wrong. Let’s show them that “moms with cameras” are just as capable of creating great portraits and building a business as the next person!

Welcome to My New Blog

Welcome to my new blog! I recently became fascinated with blogging and have wanted to create a blog that people would return to with anticipation. In looking for ideas I finally realized that I need to write about the thing I know the most about -- photographing babies and children! I've had a photography business for 6 years and have photographed many children, and have learned LOTS along the way. Lots of things to avoid, and lots of things to strive for. I receive numerous requests for information from those aspiring to become professional photographers. My hope is to be able to refer those people to this site to help them get started off on the right foot.

When I made the decision to become a professional children's photographer I quickly found out that everyone has advice, and that you simply can't take every person's word as truth. Just because someone owns a nice camera does not make them qualified to tell you how to run a photography business. And even just because someone has a photography business doesn't necessarily mean that they're going to give you the information that is best for you.

I tell you this to say that I am just one person with my own opinion based on my experience, and it's always wise to get opinions from more than one person. I'll tell you what has worked for me. You can take what works for you and you can leave the rest.

After photographing many, many children for 6 years, I am still constantly learning new things about both the artistic, the technical and the management aspects of this business. I will share what I know, but encourage you to go out and explore and get ideas and advice from lots of people before deciding what's going to work best for you.

If you are just starting to explore baby and kid photography as a possible profession, you're in for a very exciting journey. Enjoy!