twenty-two and family photography [wisconsin family photographer]
I am twenty-two. Yup that's right, I am a twenty-two year old family photographer. I don't just want to be a family photographer on the side either. I want to only photograph kids and their fabulous families. Call me weird for hoping that in the future I would be fine with spending (almost) everyday of my life tricking toddlers, tweens, and teens to smile for the camera. If you've ever done so, you know its tough. I feel as though I am so rare (or I'm just not looking hard enough.) Often times, I feel like I'm not taken seriously as a family and child photographer because of my age. Guess what people, twenty-two year olds can love hanging out with kids! I would proudly spend a day with 5 year olds before hanging out with anyone my age! Maybe it's being young at heart, something I learned from my dad, or the fact that I have spent almost every summer since Freshman year of High School taking care of my younger cousins. Kids are so exciting. You are always on the go and they see the world so differently. They seem to have brighter eyes and greater belly laughs. They find humor in little things and are willing to learn.
me with my cousins, who I nanny during the summer, during one of our outings at a nature preserve in town. also, a fabulous place for family pictures ;)
At twenty-two I fear that people learn my age and don't trust me with their children. It's almost like I will only get it unless I have kids. I have found it so hard to find outlets for family photographers that don't have to do with being a mom-photog. I have nothing wrong with click-in moms, heck I follow them on social media. But I feel weird doing it. Is it strange that I'm following a mom photographer site when I'm not a mom? You may laugh at me saying all of this but it's true! It's hard connecting with other young family photographers going through what I do because they aren't out there! Nothing against you moms, I get why people go to you. Your fabulous mothers who have such an understanding of children so why not hire them! I applaud those who deal with children all day everyday and still choose family photographer as a career. Heck I hope to be you one day.
It's frustrating to me that there aren't as many outlets for young and learning family/child photographers. I look at all the wedding photographer organizations, events, and magazines. They are bursting at the seems with workshops to go to, blogs to submit to, parties to attend, etc. What happened to us family photographers. Like I said before, maybe I'm not looking hard enough. I know of a few out there. I follow The Bloom Forum, Childhood Unplugged, Let the Kids, and Lemonade and Lenses. There are also so many amazing family photographers out there who are very inspirational, but once again, most are moms. Most times it's hard for me to connect with these amazing photographers because we are going through different struggles in life. I'm still recovering from being a poor college student (which I've now been out of college for almost a year, how?) and building a portfolio. I don't have subjects running around me all day. I am not a mom. Not even close to being one, I'm not even dating. Parenting is not on my list right now. Give me 5 years. I do have some young cousins running around who, when in the right mood, will let me photograph them.
It's been tough learning the whole family photography thing on my own. I look to others work for guidance. I get guidance from others my age but most are wedding photographers. It's nice to hear their tips and tricks but they don't have that one joke that gets a laugh out of a 12 year old or how to get that 2 year old to not just sit there and pout. I don't have that someone my age whose going through the same struggles and trying to be a professional family photographer. I sometimes struggle with posing older families or coming up with new games to play to get a great picture. It's tough but I'm learning. So give me a shout if you are a young family photographer who seems to be going through the same struggle or if you know any great resources to help me out!
So I don't know about you, but I'm feeling twenty-two (you were waiting for that one weren't you.) I'm ready to be taken seriously as a family and child photographer.