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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. Business is Competition. The business climate has been shifting for as long as I can remember, and the trend today is “something for everyone and a price all can afford”, hence Target selling Missoni. What this means is that there is space for photographers of all price and experience levels. This is a good thing. Competition is healthy and anyone crying about it clearly needs to up their game and attract more clients instead of wasting time wringing their hands and wailing.

  2. I am an amateur shooter who has sold some fine-art prints and am trying to increase my skills. I may never shoot a pro portrait – that remains to be seen. So giving that as my background, I would like to say that this is by far the best written, most encouraging, balanced, helpful and realistic article on this subject that I have ever read. Thank you.

    As a potential new pro photographer someday maybe, it often seems to me that some pros view photography as an exclusive club that is no longer accepting new members. What a shame.

  3. I’m not sure this whole pick-up-a-camera-and-call-yourself-a-photog is new. I know two people personally (one who took my wedding photos) off the top of my head who happened upon film cameras and tried to hang a shingle and get wedding gigs. Neither had any particular talent. (I never even got any of my wedding photos printed… my fault, I know, but also my budget’s).
    Sure, the numbers are probably exponentially larger than they used to be because of the cost and ease of use of the new DSLR’s, but it’s not new.
    These guys (yes, men) wanted a side job that paid well and used their cameras to get it. Like I said, neither were particularly inspired.

    Another point I never see mentioned in the MWAC debates is that despite the industry rejecting them (or at the least calling them names), it must recognize that they filled a need/desire that obviously existed that wasn’t being met. Particularly, what we know as “lifestyle photography.” When my kids were young, a few short 10 or so years ago, if I wanted their photo taken, I’d (on the cheap end) take them to Picture People or JCPenney Studios (or some such) or if I had a bit more money (I never did) I’d go to a private studio, where not much was different except the backgrounds, and maybe the camera that was used? But, really, sit, pose, smile (matching shirts optional) was the name of the game.

    MWAC’s have given us the in-between moments, capturing the image of a toddler trying to climb on a chair. We now see window lighting and balloons in a park. Back-lighting is an option and at the extreme end, so are stylized sessions.
    None of this would have come about if moms hadn’t picked up their camera, read the manual and started shooting life the way they saw and felt it. What was once a simple portrait has evolved because of MWAC’s and regardless of what they’ve done to the industry’s profits or exclusivity, it can’t be denied what they’ve done for it as an artform.

  4. I bought my Canon 50D about 3 years ago. My husband bought me a point and shoot a year earlier and I was hooked. My friends loved my pictures, asked me to take pictures for them at family events, etc. It didn’t take long for me to realize I loved taking pictures and wanted an improved camera. A family friend was getting married and had no funds for pictures. They asked if I would take the pictures for them. Two days after buying my Canon 50D I was in the church taking their wedding pictures. Yes, I was shooting on auto…….had no clue what the other options meant. I fortunately got some great shots and they were extremely happy. The problem? I thought I was great! (I didn’t charge them). After several more shooting events I finally started to notice my pictures lacked……..something. I started taking some classes and learned what all the other creative modes were and now shoot manual most of the time. I’ve also joined a local photography clubs and do alot of reading to learn more. I’m better but by no means where I want to be. I still do shoots from time to time but everyone understands I am not a professional and that I am getting as much from them as they are from me……a win win situation. Many if the people I shoot for have limited funds and would probably not be able to document their event if I wasn’t able to. I’ve photographed several seniors, 3 weddings, family reunions and babies. I’m still not charging but I continue to get better and better. My husband is now really behind me and our based my first L lens for me this Christmas. I am now looking forward to my next L lens purchase……..maybe soon I will be able to afford one. I do let everyone that I do pictures for know that I am not a professional, am just learning. I would never promise what I couldn’t deliver. For the weddings I have shot I do tell them that if they can afford it they might consider a more seasoned photographer as it is a one time shot. I do hope to one day charge for my services and possibly have a studio one day. This is an awesome trade and I love the endless creative opportunities.

  5. Just my two cents: I’m a Mom, and I like to take photographs. I want to take good ones too. I have NO INTENTION of making it into a business. Its purely a hobby. So just cause we’re a Mom with a DSLR doesn’t mean we’re out to take away business from real professionals.

  6. I just want to thank you. I am sort of a momtographer except I have taken many photography classes before I officially started my business. I started out low on price and have upped my price to help my family and also take into account that I have spent money and time to take classes and gain knowledge on photography. It has been hard and I have taken it super slow. I am glad I have done so and gone through the “pains” of growing as a photographer. It is a tough business to get started in and the fact that many photogs are very stand offish to help or allow a new photog to learn from them. I try to be an open book to newer photogs that do not have the education and have started out just wanting to make more from an interest they have.

  7. Awesome discussion to have! I’ve been photographing for a little more than a year and I’m starting to get friends & family ask me if I would shoot family sessions for them cheaply. This is a bit different than this discussion, but it does make me wish I was getting opportunities more often. At this stage my photography isn’t 5 star but the rate at which I learn and improve is far greater than anything I’ve done in the past, so I think it’s important that I keep up small, cheap shoots like this. I do advertise that I will shoot on the cheap but only to people I already know.

    The issue of an amateur undercutting a professional has a long history and spills into many other industries. As a web designer I’ve heard countless potentials say “why would I pay you hundreds when Johnny next door will do it for $50?”. As a professional (or anything more than an amateur really) I think it is important to educate clients on the value of hiring a professional. It’s the best you can do really.

  8. I’m following your website everyday and this is my first post, because is something that intrigues me every single day about the market difference between different countries/regions around the world. I’m living in Romania (Europe) and this is a beutifull country but with relatively poor people. The difference between social classes is huge and, as ussually, the most is relatively poor.
    My note: with such a low market, here the most of the proffessional photographers (and I mean proffessionals – the skills and the gear have no border) can’t get a wedding job above 400-500 USD. If anyone tries to convince the bride/groom about the quality of the service provided, they just start mentioning about their cousins/brothers/uncles that have a DSLR and can EASILLY replace the proffesional. With such a mentality, the market is obvious very very low. I really don’t know ANY photographer that has photography as a primary business. With such small winnings none of my photgrapher friends can make a living. Just to make an example: the most active wedding proffessional in my region earned only around 8.000 USD for the entire 2011 year.
    Another point: I started small events photography by 3 years now (parties, baptisms, children parties) and, because none of the organisers had no intention in hiring a proffesional, the only things I gained were the skills and trainings. Just after 3 years I’ll have the first paid wedding. As much as I love photography, is just the wrong place to make a living from it.

  9. Fantastic article in my opinion and I fully agree with what you’re saying. If established professionals can’t compete with the newer, less experienced and, more importantly, cheaper photographers then they need to have a look at what they offer and how they are going to make themselves stand out.

    Hanging on to digital images is an interesting problem. Having recently got married I’m surprised at how few photographers were willing to offer a DVD of printable quality images at any price.

  10. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I started hobby photography about a month ago, for two reasons:

    1. A friend photographed my wedding, saving us a TON of money, and I’d like to do that for someone else one day.

    2. To take amazing shots of my (future) children that will make the rest of my friends jealous.

    After reading this article, I realized that while I’m not a mom (yet), I AM a momtographer.

  11. Thank you so much for this article and your point of view! Everyone has to start somewhere. And I’m sure some of the seasoned photographers started out under similar circumstances. Yes, classes and experience are key, but so is a love for the art. While I would love to have a professional shoot photos of my family, I simply cannot afford hundreds of dollars to do so. That’s just the simple truth for most families these days. I am proud to say I’m a momtographer and do hope to grow this into a business…someday. For now I’m content with the family and friends who are more than happy to be my guinea pigs!

  12. I understand what everyone is saying but let me put in a bit of the other side. I shoot youth sports photography and have for over 20 years. It took a long time to build my business to the point it is today. Like any business, I have overhead expenses. What I don’t care for about the parentographer is most don’t have a sales tax license so they don’t collect or pay sales tax. They don’t declare the money as income so they don’t pay taxes on that “part-time” money. I pay good amount every year for liability insurance,workman comp, etc.

    I understand everyone has to start somewhere just like I did many years ago. I just suggest they follow the rules like everyone else when starting a “business”.
    Just another side to the story.

  13. I appreciate the concept behind the post. And for the most part, I’m grateful for the comments defending moms with cameras. I’m a mom, I’ve been trained (though I hold no certificate) and I’m paying my taxes for sure. However, those who are defending charging lower prices because of their lack of experience is perhaps unwise for the ‘momtographer’ who wishes to actually build a lasting business. Consider this: If your experience for a wedding warrants only charging $600, what happens when your experience warrants $2,000 or $5,000? Bride Sara tells her engaged friend, Bonnie, that you’ll do her wedding for $600. Well, not anymore, because your work warrants WAY more than that. Clients don’t like seeing your prices rise. As a consumer, I don’t like it when Redbox and Netflix try and charge me more, and they’ve only gone up cents! Think about where you’d like to be in 3-5-10 years from now and what kind of client base you’d like to have. Also, DO THE MATH on the cost of running your business. Set your prices accordingly and then have ‘portfolio building sales’ where you can offer discounts. Set yourself up for success in the long run. Don’t sell yourself out for a $50, 1 hr portrait session. It’s NOT worth the time away from your family. It’s just NOT.

  14. I agree with you 100%. Especially about the hoarding of digital files. That’s a practice that needs to get with the times. I don’t print pictures. I don’t make photo albums. If I’m paying you top dollar to shoot something for me, hand over the digital copies because that’s how I’m going to want to look at them for the next 50 years.

  15. I don’t consider myself a “dadographer” as I did have a freelance business years ago. I put down the camera when darkroom/processing and organizing thousands of slides started costing too much time and money.

    Do the new digital technologies open up photography as a business to more people? Absolutely.

    The problem most pro photographers have is they are afraid of competition. They mock the mom with a camera because they say their customers think she can take as good a picture as they can.

    Get real- your customers think an iPhone takes a world class picture. They’re willing to settle for mediocre images based on convenience and cost. It will be very difficult to convince them that they should spend hundreds for a portrait.

    Just a note- I had foresight… when our wedding photographer offered to sell us our medium format negatives for $75 back in 1995, I jumped at the chance. He’s out of business now… I have my negs. One day, I’ll get them scanned. EVERY event photographer should offer to at least sell the digital files to their client at some point in time, even if it is one year after the event. It’s the right thing to do.

  16. I agree with Harry Briscoe about not setting up an actual business. There are a lot of folks who pick up photography as a hobby and charge people for it. Unfortunately there is a stereotype, with women who have husbands who can support their hobby.

    If your rates are not sustainable, you are doing yourself a disservice. I have a couple of friends who are excellent photographers, but they haven’t made the move from hobbyists to professional photographers – even though they are charging people for their services. And the rates they charge are not sustainable in the long term. Earning a few quick bucks is not running a business.

    Here’s a tough thing to consider: if you haven’t gone through the process of setting up a business legally and paying taxes like you should be, what’s the difference between you and an illegal alien? You’re both working illegally.

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