Becoming a family photographer in Indianapolis wasn’t something I planned—it happened naturally, through late nights, a lot of trial and error, and, of course, a toddler with a penchant for turning every meal into performance art. What started as a way to capture my own children’s chaotic moments soon blossomed into a passion for capturing family life.
In this blog, I’ll share the journey of how naptime turned me into a family photographer —capturing priceless moments for families just like yours!
How I Became a Family Photographer
- Starting as a Mom-tog
- Taking Photos for Friends
- Upgrading Equipment
- Studying During Naptime
- Becoming a Family Photographer
Starting as a Mom-tog
In a world brimming with Cheerios and the ever-elusive clean sippy cup, I found myself venturing into the wilds of mom-tography. That’s right, my journey began as one of those moms who think that their kid’s every drool and giggle needs to be immortalised.
Armed with my trusty phone and a determination fueled by lack of sleep and caffeine, I became the paparazzi to my own child. Who needs professional models when you’ve got a toddler whose idea of high art is smashing spaghetti on their face?
I mean, let’s be real, babies are the ultimate unpaid Instagram influencers. No filters needed—just pure, unadulterated baby chub and those ridiculously cute gummy smiles. And don’t even get me started on the outfits.
The early days were a blur—quite literally, because toddlers don’t exactly sit still. My initial photos could best be described as “abstract art,” featuring a lot of motion blur and questionable focus. But hey, everyone starts somewhere, right? It was all part of the journey, learning how to hit the capture button at the exact right moment.
Over time, my skills improved. I learned that natural light is a mom-tog’s best friend and that bribing a toddler with snacks is perfectly acceptable for getting that perfect shot. And let’s not forget the props—oh, the props! Stuffed animals, building blocks, and anything else that could make a scene look Pinterest-worthy.
So there I was, in the trenches of parenthood, discovering a passion I didn’t even know I had. Little did I know, this chaotic, sippy-cup-laden world would lay the foundation for a career as a family photographer that’s brought me so much joy, a bit of insanity, and countless precious moments captured forever!
Taking Photos for Friends
The golden era when my friends figured out I could take photos that didn’t look like a toddler finger-painted over them. Suddenly, I became the go-to person for capturing every birthday, family gathering, and impromptu backyard playdate.
You know you’ve made it when your friends start treating you like a rock star, demanding mini photo shoots every time you hang out. “Oh, you brought your camera, right?” they’d ask innocently, knowing darn well I never left home without it. And who could resist those puppy eyes—or should I say, baby eyes—pleading for one more picture?
Honestly, there’s nothing quite like the chaos of trying to get a group of children to look in the same direction for more than a nanosecond. It’s like herding cats, only louder and stickier. I learned pretty quickly that kids have their own agenda and it rarely involves sitting still and looking cute on command. So, I became a master at candid shots, capturing those precious moments between the meltdowns and snack attacks.
Let’s not forget the occasional “creative direction” from parents. Everyone’s got an opinion, and apparently, a Pinterest board full of “inspiration” photos. So there I was, a family photographer and part-time peacekeeper, navigating the delicate art of pleasing both the parents and the mini models.
Despite the challenges, those photo sessions with friends were invaluable. They helped me refine my skills, learn the ropes, and figure out how to capture those fleeting moments of joy!
Upgrading Equipment
Picture me, scouring online reviews at 3 AM, with a credit card in one hand and a baby monitor in the other. Because who needs sleep when you can obsess over aperture and ISO levels, am I right?
Gone were the days of blurry phone pics and missed shots. Enter: the era of DSLRs and lenses that could probably double as telescope equipment. The first time I unboxed my shiny new camera, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, only with less wrapping paper and more bubble wrap to pop.
But let’s get real—fancy equipment isn’t just about looking cool (although, yes, it totally does). It’s about capturing those fleeting moments with clarity that makes you question if you’ve accidentally stumbled into an HD commercial. The difference was night and day. My kids’ spaghetti faces were now captured in all their gooey glory, and those tiny, fleeting baby giggles? Crisp enough to make your heart melt.
Of course, with great power comes great responsibility—or in this case, a significant learning curve. I spent hours fumbling with settings, diving into manual modes, and accidentally taking 200 photos of my feet. But oh, the joy of nailing that perfect shot! It was like unlocking a secret level in a video game, only without the celebratory confetti.
And let’s not forget the sheer physicality of it all. Lugging around a camera bag that weighs more than my toddler? Instant bicep workout. Who needs a gym membership when you’ve got a camera bag and a dream?
So, there I was, armed with my upgraded gear and a renewed sense of purpose, ready to conquer the world as a family photographer!
Studying During Naptime
Naptime: the holy grail of parenthood, where you have a brief window to either power nap yourself or, if you’re like me, dive headfirst into the magical world of photography education.
While my little ones were dreaming of sugarplums or whatever it is toddlers dream about, I was deep into tutorials, blogs, and, yes, even the occasional “Photography for Dummies” book. Trust me, there’s nothing like the thrill of learning the rule of thirds while simultaneously watching a baby monitor.
It was like cramming for finals, but instead of memorizing useless dates from history class, I was learning how to manipulate light, frame shots, and maybe—just maybe—figure out what the heck aperture is. And let’s not forget the YouTube rabbit holes. One minute you’re watching a basic tutorial, the next you’re five videos deep into off-camera flash techniques with some guy named Bob who lives in his basement.
If you’ve never tried to grasp the intricacies of shutter speed while folding laundry and making sure the baby doesn’t suddenly decide to stage a crib jailbreak, let me tell you, it’s an Olympic sport. But those quiet, chaos-free moments were pure gold. They gave me the space to turn what was essentially a hobby into something much more skillful and refined.
If you ever want to test your multitasking limits, try adjusting camera settings while holding a
So, while my kids recharged their tiny batteries, I was busy charging up my brain to become a family photographer, ready to apply everything I learned the moment they woke up.
Becoming a Family Photographer
Who would’ve thought that a passion project born out of sheer exhaustion and too many diaper changes could evolve into a full-fledged career? I sure didn’t. But here I am, trading in my sweatpants for slightly nicer sweatpants, and making a living out of capturing the beautiful chaos that is family life!
Stepping up from mom-tog to full-on family photographer wasn’t exactly a smooth transition. Think of it more as a series of stumbles, faceplants, and occasional high-fives. Building a business around the unpredictability of kids is like setting up a lemonade stand in a hurricane, but hey, who doesn’t love a good challenge?
Trying to convince people that paying you to photograph their children is a good idea? It’s a skill all on its own. Cue the endless social media posts, the SEO deep dives, and the networking events where you have to pretend you know what “synergy” means.
Despite the ups and downs, there’s nothing quite like turning a passion into a career. Every gig is a new adventure, and every family has a unique story waiting to be told. So, here’s to capturing the giggles, the messes, and everything in between—one family photo at a time!
Book Your Family Photoshoot in Indianapolis or Beyond!
Now you know how naptime turned me into a family photographer!
So, if you’re ready to capture the beautiful chaos of your own family, let’s chat! Whether it’s a playful photoshoot or a quiet moment of connection, I’d love to help you preserve those memories. Here’s to making memories that are as timeless as they are fun!
Get in touch with me for your family photography in Indianapolis or beyond. I can’t wait to hear from you.
