My photography journey as a Maryland family photographer
You will find tidbits of my story on my About page but I thought I could talk a bit more about my journey as a photographer.
I take photos of everyone who’d let me for 2-3 years until eventually, I get a work permit!! I officially opened my business in 2015, published a website, and started charging ($250!). I was still on a crop sensor but saved enough to finally upgrade to a full-frame camera and a 50mm f/1,6. This cheap but amazing lens changed my life and I saw light differently. Those first years of practice forced me to better understand what I wanted to photograph, what I was drawn to, what I wanted to say. I eventually found my voice… with lots of trials and errors.
I think this is the coolest job in the world and I am truly grateful I get to do what makes me happy. I work hard to always evolve as a photographer and be a better entrepreneur that runs a sustainable business.
Although things got more serious after the birth of my daughter, photography has always been a part of my life. After all, I come from an artistic family where my dad used to be a photographer (in Paris, end of the 60s/ 70s), my mom Annette Fradin is a painter, and my brother has a master’s degree in Art. He works with metal. A kind of blacksmith but more artistic. He is also a very good street photographer (film/ slides).
My dad offered me my first film camera when I turned 18 and I started my journey with films and slides and a camera that was way too heavy but that I carried everywhere.
Fast forward. I am now in the U.S. and I need to find what to do here as I cannot do my old job. I have a master’s degree in Psychology and used to work as a Vocational psychologist with unemployed or disabled people and inmates.
Living in America and far from our families, I started to share our everyday. I even had a personal blog, it was all the rage back then. I loved photographing our mundane so our loved ones could see and feel what it’s like to live in the U.S.
Then Garance arrives in 2011.
And my husband surprises me with a DSLR camera (a Canon rebel with an 18-55mm kit lens!).
I become obsessed. I join photography forums (Clickin moms), read everything I can, start to meet other local photographers, participate in photo walks, post photos online for feedback… Of course, my daughter is my muse (still is) and I try to replicate the poses and techniques I see online. I ask all my mama friends if I can photograph their kids (they say yes).
I slowly realized that this hobby of mine could turn into a business. Family photography is something American people are very serious about. They hire way more photographers than in France or Europe (now it has changed!). They have careers and legit businesses. Families are interested and invest in photos. So maybe this could be my new path?
I have a documentary approach for photographing families so they can just slow down and enjoy the simple moment of being together. If you would like to see more of my recent family photography, head over to my Instagram account. I love to document the love (and tears) that go into family life, or managing a small business or a sweet reunion. Subscribe to my newsletter below and join other epic families. xx
