MWAC = Mom With A Camera
Baby on Board, and a Photography Business, too
Yep, that’s me.
There are oh, so many things to take offense at in this article, but one point they make is true. There has been a huge trend of people get a low-end prosumer DSLR camera and hanging out their shingle as a photographer. I have even seen a few websites of people that have their camera for a few months and declare themselves a professional photographer. They charge people for taking photographs and don’t know how to work their expensive toy. I’m all for learning how to be a photographer, but charging people for snapshots just ain’t right!
I do a lot of research, studying and practice trying to figure out my camera, how to shoot in different lighting situations, how to shoot busy toddlers, etc. There is so much more to photography than picking up an expensive camera and starting a business. For myself, I know I am no where near ready to actually charge someone for my services. I’m not sure that I will ever start a photography business, but I do want to be good at it nevertheless.
Believe it or not…it isn’t just the camera that you need to take great pictures, as this article seems to suggest. The whole gist of it is that bored moms want a hobby, so they beg their hubbies to let them buy a high-end camera and then VOILA!! they are photographers. The other take is that moms that are photographers aren’t really professional photographers. Apparently having had a baby on your hip bars you from being a professional and doing a great job. Nice.
To add insult to injury it was a female that wrote the article. Way to further sexism, sista! I give you two thumbs up!
I guess the one thing that tends to irritate me a might bit is when I show people my photographs and get, “Wow! What kind of camera do have??” Because, obviously, it had nothing to do with any skill of mine that would create such images. Yes, DSLR’s can take great, clear photographs, but without some knowledge behind the lens they are little more than snapshots. To get those great, professional looking images, you need to know how to wield that camera to make truly lasting memories.
It is a constant learning process, but if you appreciate the art inherent in good photography then it is all worthwhile.
Rawk on, sista! A friend of mine sent me this article and I was very bothered by it. I decided to google the MWAC and found your blog. Thanks for writing this, it’s EXACTLY how I feel! I could not have said it better! I’m very upset that I’m now a stereotype because I have kids. I have been working my butt of for the past 4.5 years learning this craft! It’s NOT the camera! Its the mommy behind it who’s spend countless dollars and time on training. Thanks for speaking your mind.
~Amber~
Great post. Chris from In the Trenches of Motherhood just wrote about photography and pointed out that she has a point and shoot camera, not a DSLR. http://inthetrenchesofmotherhood.com/?p=84 She talks about how techniques are what makes a great picture, not the camera. It’s a great article to read if you have a minute.
Amber – thanks for stopping by and commenting. I know I wasn’t the only one where this hit a nerve. 🙂
Divrchk – Thanks for the link over there. She does do a great job on her photos with her P&S and she had some great tips.
Yeah, I know that you don’t need the tips but I thought it was the perfect example of how someone can take great photos with a p&s with a little bit of thought. I love my DSLR but photography is not just about the camera.
Awhile back, I took some of my photographs in to work to show my co-workers, because there were some I was really proud of and since I am (well, I WAS) always talking about my photography I thought I’d share. One girl took a glance and said “Wow, you must have a GREAT camera. I never get pictures like these!”. I was annoyed, but let it slide. Several other people were very complimentary. The next day, that same girl brought in muffins to share for breakfast. A good friend of mine (one that I’d told about that comment) took a bite of one and then grinned at me. Then she said “Wow, Marleen! These muffins are awesome. You must have a GREAT oven.”
*grin*
I completely agree, and have just lately realized even more that great pictures are a product of skill, along with practice, reading materials, learning from those with the knowledge and more practice. It takes a lot of dedicated effort.
I’ve been getting some compliments on some pictures lately because I started a blog and I too have been faced with the camera question, although once they find out I have a Canon Powershot and (although I dream of having the Canon Xti daily, and may break into my piggy bank soon) – I get some comments on my skill and natural eye too.
I have asked the camera question too – but only because I’m really interested in knowing what equipment people are partial too…I’ll watch how I word it from now on and choose a good time to ask! 😉
I agree too that it can take a long time before one is comfortable calling themselves a professional, as it should – I feel like photography is such a complex ‘art’ or ‘hobbie’, whichever your fancy, and you can spend years learning new things about it, years mastering it. I am a part of photography club and there is an 85 year old man who has studied with greats (Anzel Adams I think he said) and is still learning. This is something I find extremely exciting.
GREAT review of that article! A camera is only as good as the photographer behind it. I dream of a DSLR one day, but I know I’m not ready for it yet. I’m still learning with my PAS. It’s limitations frustrate me, but I don’t yet have the knowledge and ability to put a SLR to good use. I don’t understand why people rush to buy the fancy camera when they don’t have the most basic grasp of the fundamentals of photography. I’ve had people say “oh, you take good pictures, you should be a photographer” but it’s not as simple as that.
Alissa, I love that your friend gave that comment back! It is really annoying to get those comments.
LLD, I think when asking the camera question, it is always good to word it as, “You take great photographs. What is your equipment?” instead of just going into their camera. Isn’t that what we want to hear?? 🙂 Keep learning, and that is really great you are in a photography club. I would love to join one, but I am already stretched thin for time!
Christina, hopefully one day you can get that DSLR, but just keep at it until then. My PAS camera frustrated me to no end so that is why I finally gave into the interest-free financing and got my DSLR. I was/am SO HAPPY I took the plunge! The DSLR is hard at first, but just like anything…it pays off once you put in the time.
Hi there. I’m late to commenting on this, but I just wanted to say that I read the article because someone in my photography class provided the link. It also really bothered me that it suggested that some MsWAC could never be considered pro photographers. I certainly am far from considering myself a pro photographer, but my hope is that I can learn enough to take really nice photographs. The article highlighted the backlash from pro (especially studio) photographers, and to them I say, everyone has a right to learn a skill/art and become good at it. They don’t have more of a right that anyone else. The digital age just makes it easier (and cheaper) to experiment and really become good. It also takes a bit of natural talent and an “eye” as well, so it also irritates me when people ask what kind of camera I have or make a comment about how photoshop makes my photos look really good. I don’t even use photoshop that much at this point! Grrrrrrr. Anyway, thanks for opening up this dialogue, Stacy 😉 I love coming to your site and seeing all your fabulous photos!!
Oh, yeah, and if anyone is interested, I am taking Amber Ludlow’s online 6-week class right now. It’s called “Photographing the Everyday,” and it’s fabulous, so I want to promote it if anyone is looking to take a class. It’s $155 for 6-weeks, and I feel it is well worth the $$. Because it is online, I am able to do it at my leisure, which is important since I have a little one. In addition to her lessons, which feature her low-tech explanations of sometimes complex stuff and GREAT explanatory photos, she sets up a message board so that you can communicate with others in the class. There are about 40 students in the class from all over the US and even Belgium. It’s a great, great learning community. E-mail me at mommyjenn@gmail.com if you want some more info! 😉
Thanks Jen, and I totally agree! Have fun with the photography class…it sounds like great experience. I wish I had a few more hours in the day, but I don’t think I can manage that right now. I probably should do some more formal training on my camera, but I also don’t want to waste money that I could use for a new lens LOL! I have some books to read on photography, so I think I will just focus on that right now.
Oh, andn Jen, whilst I LOVE Photoshop for the different artistic things that I can do to my pictures…it can’t fix a crappy shot. You have to have a good capture to make it work. So, you are so right to get annoyed with that comment.
On this subject, yesterday an online friend showed me some photographs that she adored that were taken by a “pro”. I feel bad because she was upset when I kinda told her that the photographer wasn’t fantastic (far from it!) BUT I did tell her that her daughter was adorable, which she is! I guess I just get a little worked up when people that shouldn’t be charging for taking pictures go out and offer cheaper rates to get customers. It is unfortunate that most people don’t see the problems, but if they put that photography next to one take by an experienced photographer they would definitely see the difference.
At this point I take pictures for my friends that are local for experience for ME and for FREE. My payment is having them as models…and a bottle of wine if they really like them. I’m pretty cheap. 🙂
You and all the ladies have expressed my opinions. I am such a novice and would never charge for photos. But if someone offers a bottle of wine, Stacy, I’m all over it.
It’s not about a camera. It’s not even all about skill. It’s more about the love of the art. As Ansel Adams said “A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.”
So true, Melody, Stacy and others.
I remember reading this when it came out in the Times and feeling offended, but brushed it off since I didn’t and don’t have a business.
Maybe someday, but I know being a professional is more than a several hundred dollar camera, really!