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In DEFENSE of Momtographers Everywhere…

Debate about momtographers the Improve Photography Facebook page
The momtographer debate. I liked these and other comments on the Facebook page. Many people had valid points.

For years, I've heard well-known photographers on the web (I'm resisting a strong urge to name names here) bash people–often young moms–who begin a photography business without the training and experience of seasoned professionals.  Today, on the Improve Photography Facebook Page, a mini-debate broke out about so-called “momtographers” and their place in the photography business.

Emily Straw, Erika Darcy, Mary Vogt, Erin LaSorsa, Mindy Woodford, Alexandria Wilcox, and other members of our community made valid comments on the topic which I appreciated.  But in this debate, I feel like I have to speak out a bit too.

Momtographer in action
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What I'm NOT Saying…

I am not advocating that someone pick up a camera, call themselves a photographer, and then advertise that they shoot weddings.  That is a fantastic way to ruin someone's wedding, and for the photographer to get sued.  I understand how important family photos are, so the thought of once-in-a-lifetime events being treated carelessly isn't a winning proposition to me.

If I were a beginner who eventually wanted to do photography as a business, I would take my time.  Take courses (I happen to know someone who teaches online photography classes….), practice like crazy, shoot casual family events to learn the ropes, get critiques, and then slowly dip your toe into the market.  It is possible to make a great living as long as you have good business sense.

Oh, and the last thing is that I'm using the word “momtographer” only because that was the word thrown around in the mini-debate on our Facebook page.  My wife is a stay-at-home mother of two young children, so please don't get the wrong idea–no one in our society deserves more respect than mothers.

What I AM Saying…

First of all, business means competition.  Photographers have watched competition in action as point-and-shoot camera sales have plummeted over the last few years.  Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Kodak, and other camera manufacturers have watched as consumers have chosen to use their camera phones as a substitute for point-and-shoots.  Consumers have decided that a camera phone is “good enough” because they don't want to pay for an additional device.  The manufacturers could certainly complain that camera phones don't capture good quality and consumers are idiots, but that wouldn't get them more business, would it?

A similar thing is occurring with momtographers (and dadtographers as Curtis Isaak pointed out on Facebook).  Inexperienced photographers, who flatly cannot deliver the quality of a seasoned pro, are offering cheaper prices.  Customers–hundreds of thousands of them–are choosing to purchase a $100 session with a new momtographer rather than spending many hundreds (sometimes thousands) more to hire an experienced professional photographer.

It is frustrating to be undercut.  As an entrepreneur and professional photographer, I can sympathize.  I support my family through photography, so the thought that someone would have the audacity to undercut me with virtually no experience is frightening to say the least.  HOWEVER, it's business.  And not just any business.  In this business, the customer looks through the photographer's portfolio, sees the price, and then signs up.  These startup photographers may not offer the quality of a seasoned pro, but for the most part, the customers know what type of quality to expect.

When I first started in professional photography, I advertised $50 for a one-hour shoot of any type.  It was completely unsustainable as a business, but we had recently moved to Florida, had a newborn, and I couldn't find a job anywhere.  There is no shame in doing the best you can to support your family.  I think that's what most momtographers are trying to do.  I didn't produce 5-star photos, but I was honest about my lack of experience as I advertised to potential customers and I showed my photos to potential clients so they knew what they could expect to get.

With time, I improved.  I worked extremely hard to learn the craft and my prices increased to match my skills.  Eventually, I was charging several thousand dollars for weddings and several hundred for portrait shoots.  I came to the point that I supported my family 100% through my photography.  I'm grateful for the success I had, and I'm also grateful for the lower-end of the market that allowed me to gain experience and build up my gear to be able to create a sustainable business.

If you're a professional photographer who likes to whine and gripe about momtographers–you need to face the facts.  Not every client is willing to pay $500 for a senior portrait.  If you don't like that, then offer a service to the clients that is so good that they won't be willing to accept the newer photographers.

2 Things Professionals Have Done to Groom the Market for Momtographers

  1. Hanging on to the digitals.  I completely understand why professional photographers refuse to hand over the digital files.  In fact, I rarely sell anyone a digital file of my landscapes.  I want to control the original and makes prints for the customers so I can make money off the prints and assure they are printed properly.  HOWEVER, it's a digital world.  When my wife and I were engaged, we hired a professional photographer to shoot our engagements.  The photos were beautiful (I have it hanging on my office wall), but we were too poor to purchase more than one photo, and now the other photos are gone forever.  That once-in-a-lifetime photo shoot is gone forever, and I am MAD that I don't have the pictures of it.  It's frustrating.  Does that make me more likely to choose a newer photographer who would give me the digital files?  Absolutely.  This is one example of a practice by professionals that is driving away customers, even though it makes us money.
  2. Refusing to mentor newer photographers.  I often hear well-known photographers online advocating that new photographers “shoot second” for a while or assist pros before taking on a wedding; however, I hear from the newer photographers every day who would love that opportunity, but can't find mentors who are willing to help newer photographers.  In a way, that's the mission for ImprovePhotography.com–to be that online mentor for photographers everywhere.

So what's my point?

There's no shame in being a momtographer, who spends every ounce of energy she has to learn a new skill in order to provide for her family.  Everyone gets their start somewhere, and as long as they are honest about the service they can offer clients, they ought to be applauded rather than criticized.

What do YOU think?  Leave a comment below and tell me your thoughts.
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186 thoughts on “In DEFENSE of Momtographers Everywhere…”

  1. Such a wonderful article! And so well put especially given that it’s such a hot topic right now. Thank you for having the courage to address it. And for the record…I agree with you 100%

  2. You know… Everyone has to get their start somewhere… I bought a DSLR back in 2008… It wasn’t until my daughter was born in 2011 that I made the effort to “take the training wheels off” (AKA – auto and scenes mode!). I took an online course offered through the college I work at… And then I found this site. This site reinforce what I had learned about aperture, shutter, and manual modes. I was so impressed with the wealth of information I found, I decided to take the beginners course.

    If the other momtogrophers out there are like me… They finally found something they enjoy doing and wanted to share it with others and learn more about a field that brings them joy!

    As far as “pros” complaining about momtographers undercutting their prices… Not everyone can afford to pay top dollar for portraits. Perhaps it’d be a better business move to come up with a lower priced package to attract clients that want photos, but don’t want to break the bank to get them! Face it, business is business! Complaining about the competition (regardless of how good it is) won’t get you more clients!

  3. I love this article! I started photography as a small business a few years ago. I love doing it and enjoy meeting with clients and editing photos. For our family, paying someone hundreds just isn’t in the budget, so I love to give people that chance to get them if it’s not in the budget, since everyone deserves family/senior/baby… photos. I don’t call myself a professional. I did graduate with a fine arts degree and I believe that helps tremendously in my photography. I know that there are photographers out there that have spent way longer than me learning and shooting and respect that! I love learning more and more, and always seek advice. I don’t advertise, just word of mouth so that I don’t “hurt” the market. My family is a single income, but we don’t rely on the photography to pay the bills, so it is enjoyable, relaxing and fun since I don’t have to stress about bringing in more clients. My family and kids come first. I have been asked to do weddings, and I am not ashamed to tell people that I simply do not have the equipment or knowledge, and suggest great photographers I know of. Weddings take up so much time that I want to spend with my family, and I know there are other amazing photographers that use weddings as their income. Thank you again for this article and hope that I am showing respect in many ways to professional photographers

  4. I always thought momtographer was a term for people who have only taken pictures of their family members and have little experience. Maybe it has different connotations to different people?

  5. I think this article is well put. And in addition, in most circumstances, the momtographers are not stealing anyone’s business. Because the people who they do take pictures for are obviously not willing to spend the money, or do not have the money to spend, on higher priced professionals. Whether the professional photographer’s pricing is justified or not, those people would not have ever been a potential client for them anyway. So I hardly see it as a loss for them. I wish I had the money to spend on beautiful professional pictures. Photography is very important to me. But being a stay at home mom, with my husband in school and about to enter an masters program, I cannot justify that kind of money while living on food stamps. 🙂 Bare essentials only.

  6. I have to agree with Lyndee. I cannot afford to go to a ‘proffessional’ photographer. I just don’t have that kind of money to dish out on pictures. It’s just not a priority. So if a ‘momtographer’ comes along and can still give me decent pictures for an affordable price of course I’ll go with her. I don’t see how she could have ‘stole’ me away from the proffessional though, when he never had me in the first place. Perhaps instead of hating on us, they should become more affordable for the average person.

  7. Samantha Piersol

    Thank you! Although I am not a momtographer, I am a poor college student who offers portrait sessions for cheap in order to help pay for my bills during school. Sometimes I feel like professional photographers look down on me, but I just let it go and know that although I am not professional, offering cheap portrait sessions allows me to learn more and gain experience and I ALWAYS let my clients know that it is a learning process for me. And they are fine with that, especially since they usually don’t have the money to afford to pay a professional thousands of dollars!

  8. I never even realized this term existed until I read this article. In the past I always had pictures done by “professionals” at high dollar studios and paid for prints I didn’t even like. And then about 3 years ago, a friend of mine offered to do our family pictures for free so she could get some practice, and did an amazing job! I LOVED her photos. She is truly talented, and we booked her the following year. The difference was that she took natural pictures of my kids the way I saw them! Some people just have a natural talent and ability to do this. You could go to school and learn all kinds of technical terms and be certified, that works for some people. But somebody else can just learn on their own if they have a love and desire to do so, and still achieve the same level of greatness. And that is OK!

  9. Everyone has to start somewhere so don’t be so quick to judge. Photography is an art. It’s addictive and fun. Can you blame the mom with a shutter bug who has a passion for photography. That mom is also trying to help support her family with the flexibility of being a photographer, and the added bonus that fulfills her need to be creative. She will learn the craft and perfect it as YOU did, through time, on her time.

    “Every artist was first an amateur.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Just don’t be so blinded by greed that you cannot find the fellow artist in that momtographer.

  10. My husband and I are wedding cinematographers but we have many photographer friends and have witnessed this silly debate many times.

    Photography and cinematography aren’t any different than any other businesses. If I’m shopping for a new tv, and both Best Buy and Walmart carry the SAME tv but it’s cheaper at Walmart where do you think I’m going to buy the tv? The only reason I might – for any reason – but the tv from Best Buy instead of Walmart is because Best Buy might give me a better customer service experience and offer other extras that Walmart doesn’t. But it’s not going to be because the CEO of Best Buy whines to me about how Walmart is ruining his business.

    If the TVs at Best Buy and Walmart are DIFFERENT, than I have a choice to make. Do I spend more for the better quality TV at Best Buy? or Do I take the ‘not-so-fancy’ tv and save myself some money? If I have the money and I want something that’s going to last, I’m going to buy the more expensive tv. But if I just really need a tv but I’m on a tight budget, than I may have to go with the less expensive tv . . .even though I like the one at Best Buy better.

    What makes photography or cinematography any different? We all deal hunt. Sometimes I shop at Whole Foods if I have the money – I like their produce better. But sometimes our budget is low and I have to settle for our local grocery store. Does that make me evil? Does that make the local grocery store evil for being cheaper, even if their broccoli doesn’t look as nice? And why should I expect consumer behavior to be any different for my own personal business?

    If you work on wowing your customers with the total experience, not JUST the final product, you don’t need to worry all the time about what new people are picking up a camera and popping up. And you know what – good for them for trying to pursue something they love. They may succeed, they may fail – but at least they tried. And if they satisfy their customers, then that is all that really matters.

  11. I’m a self taught dadtographer. Went to a few professional photography sessions that I purchased as a package for my newborn son. The session fees were always reasonable, but the prints were outrageous. After the 3rd session and almost $1000 spent on prints and the digital files, I bought a 60D with a nifty fifty. Taught myself with the help of this site and others. Now I’m getting keepers all the time and not spending a fortune on prints.

  12. The problem is the consumer is getting taken. If you are a professional service then you can be sued. I think the time has come for state regulations. Just like other professions have standards before hanging out their shingle (lawyers, doctors,therapists) so should photographers now. If you are not a CPP photographer and can’t pass the basic written and portfolio review then honestly should be offering your services to the general public.

    Anyone can earn from me but not steal from me. If you want to learn from someone offer them a non-compete contract and be a paid assistant. Then you’ll get a job. Otherwise, it’s a business. Or offer a professional photographer money for the lessons they are teaching you. Don’t expect to be taught for free.

  13. I have to disagree with Tricia. I am a “momtographer” just starting out. I have only done 2 actual paying sessions, but I made both parties well aware of the fact that I had very little experience and no official training at all. Both customers have been very happy with their pictures and I did not charge anything until I knew they were happy with the quality.

    I am a stay at home mom that discovered I truly enjoyed all things photography while taking pictures of my 2 small children. I have spent 3 years just taking pictures of my family and searching online for better ways of doing just that. Being a single income family means we have to give up on some of the extras most people take for granted, one of those things is the “professional” family pictures that are just too expensive for us to justify at this time. I know many other families in this economic market that have given up on family pictures as well, because of the price. So, I have offered my services at a much lower cost and filled a gap in the market that I can just about guarantee the “professionals” aren’t even trying to fill. I am by no means saying you should lower your prices because of this either. I am saying the “momtogropher” offers a service that may compete with the “professional” but it is filling a place that has been empty. Some families just cannot afford the cost and thus go without. I offer a solution and I am very honest about my ability and the quality the customer will be getting.

  14. I agree with Daphne. Jim, thank you for writing this post. Anyone who frequents your site or has taken your classes knows that you are a world-class photographer, so lending your name to this is a great boost for amatuer photographers!

    I wouldn’t say I’m a “Momtographer” since I’ve been doing photography for about 6 years before I became a mom, but it is my only job outside the home now and I do my absolute best to improve my sills every day. I agree that not everyone with a DSLR should be out there shooting portraits, but those of us who have some talent, a desire to get better, and the means to shoot a decent portrait shouldn’t be shunned by the rest of the community.

    Tricia, no one is being “taken” (unless low-end photographers are really misrepresenting themselves and, say, stealing other photos for their portfolios or something…) Consumers can view the work and its quality before purchase, so no one is expecting a hi-end wedding portrait and getting a family snapshot unless they’re choosing to bury their heads in the sand.

    As far as government regulations go, photography may be a business for us, but its an art form. There’s no life hanging in the balance, there’s no livelihood that will be affected by someone taking a bad photo, so comparing to a psychiatrist, doctor, or lawyer is a little unrealistic. At best, complaints can be taken to the BBB.

    The point is, there’s room for everyone in this business, whether you’re a hi-priced pro or an “economical” newbie. If you’re the former and can’t deal with the latter, you are in for a lot of frustration. Every business has competition: if you’re an incredible artist, but not savvy enough to compete, that’s on you, not “Momtographers.”

  15. I just love photographing the world around me. I am a “Momtographers”. As a matter of fact, my facebook page “Just A Hobby” is literally just that. It started out as my personal hobby. But others saw photos I had taken and entrusted me to photograph their events.

  16. I am a “newbie” as well. I have been taking classes local and online. I am very encouraged by this article and Tricia seems to feels threatened & has a chip on her shoulder concerning this issue of “momtographers”. Everyone has to start somewhere… certainly you didn’t start at the top. Everyone has to find their way. My clients as well as other “momtographers” clients know what they’re getting before they choose to photo with us. When is it considered someone has “enough” experience to be called “professional”? There is no one who can make that line in the sand. I recently saw a very popular photographer’s work in an add on the back of a local magazine. There work was awful…the children looked like plastic dolls. It all depends on what a client is looking for. Our family has only one set of professional photos, which makes me sad. But there’s no way my husband or I would be willing/able to pay $1,000+ for a session. Improve Photography, thank you for your hard work in helping newer “professionals”!!

  17. Fellow Momtographer here, (actually my kids call me the Mom-arazzi) … I have had conversations with a few teachers at the local Elementary School, who where ‘given’ a free session for Teacher Appreciation, from a local ‘Professional’ Photographer…. Once the session was over and the images were ready to be previewed and printed, The photographer was asking $1500 for prints. One teacher said to me “I hardly make that amount in one month” , so all of the images were deleted. She was so upset and told me how excited she was to hear that I was starting to offer sessions. She said she cried when the photographer wouldn’t even let her see the images before they were deleted…. I have only been practicing for a year, and for now I only charge $50…. I have plenty of ‘teacher’ clients, who get all of the images that I have edited, I also inform them that I would prefer that they only get future prints from the photo service that I use. I don’t want them printing poor quality images…. Here is my point…. The Professional that gives out free sittings to the teachers at the school, and then charges them amounts that they can’t afford, lost a good bit of her clientele to a Mom-arazzi…. Not because I undercut her fees, but because she gave out ‘gifts’ and then charged a high amount for the finished project. The teachers are thrilled with the photos that I have done for them and it’s at a price that they can afford, and it puts a little bit of money in my pocket so that I can continue to learn this profession. The Professional has made comments to a few teachers about “Well if you are will to go with lesser quality” . She feels, I’m sure, that I came in and undercut her prices…. but is that really the case? The one teacher was extremely hurt that she wasn’t even willing to show her the images of her toddler and new born…. It’s business and sometimes you have to be willing to bend a little to keep up in the marketplace. My work is not even close to the professional photographers, however my work is a higher quality than the teachers can do, and at a price that they can afford.

  18. I have been a professional photographer for five years, working for a national company that specializes in hospital newborn photography. In the coming months I am branching out into doing infant, children, and family portraits on my own. I’ve researched pricing, packaging, printers, websites, etc., before deciding what exactly I’ll be offering to prospective clients. I wouldn’t consider myself a “momtographer”, however, I am only starting to build an portfolio of my own images (the company I work for maintains the copyright, of course.) I can see both points of view. Seasoned professionals believe amateurs are diluting the pool, lowering the perceived value by charging next to nothing. And amateurs, thinking they’re doing people a favor, produce decent work for next to nothing, even if only to start. I would encourage those just starting to really think about pricing. Don’t sell yourself short. Photography is much more work than people think, and you are an artist with a valued skill.

    In response to the comments about regulations, I am particularly sensitive when I hear of (very new) amateurs attempting certain newborn poses commonly seen online. What many people don’t realize is that many of these are composites, and if one isn’t careful they could seriously injure a newborn. With my experience I feel more than comfortable around infants, but perhaps a new photographer starting out may want to mentor under a newborn professional before attempting a solo shoot. Maybe this is one area where a specialty certification would be helpful for both photographer and client.

  19. There is an ugly part of the photography business that I am coming to loathe. Pro photographers who are snobs, unwilling to share their expertise for the sake of ART and who are turf defenders. Of course some of this can be understandable to a degree, for all involved trying to make money out of their photography, but the attitude steaming from some of these ‘pro’s’ is really off.
    Agree with what has been said above, there is a gap in the market and there are photographers willing to fill it. They may not be as experienced but (hopefully) have the skills to capture great images and provide clients with wonderful memories. What are these snob pro’s worried about when they are not even catering to this gap in the market? These clients would not even consider your services if they can’t afford it.
    As to the mentoring side of things.. It’s been very hard for me personally to find a mentor to critique my work without having to pay a $1000 or more for a mentor workshop. So online I go. It really is a ‘community’ of individuals out for themselves sometimes. And that said, I’ve met some generous people who are willing to offer quick snippets of advice without being hung up on whether I am taking their business away.
    Thanks for this insightful post.

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