Thursday, July 17, 2008

A job that is "fun"...

Lately I've been thinking about starting a photography business with a good friend of mine...I get so excited thinking about it. I've been taking pictures of families and children about every weekend for the last 5 or so weeks. Right now I am not charging anything, as I see it important to build a portfolio. Taking pictures of other people's families has been SO MUCH FUN! I can't explain in words how it makes me feel to know what I have done for another family by capturing their children in a special way. And although I haven't been "paid" with cash, every family that I have taken has given me some special gift, which is really sweet.

My "job" before motherhood was teaching in special education. Although very rewarding, it was also very, very stressful. I taught children with severe autism for a couple of years and then moved on to teach children with learning disabilities and serve as Screening Chair for my school. High stress let me tell you! As I contemplate one day re-joining the workforce, I don't see myself going back to all of that stress, especially now that I am a parent. It just wouldn't allow me the flexibility I want to be with my children. Yes, I know we have the "summers off", but as every teacher knows, you truly never have any time off-as there are always lesson plans, themes, trainings, etc to attend to.

I really hope that my friend and I can get this photography business off the ground...if I can have a job that is as much fun as I have had taking pictures for these families....I would start tomorrow. Here are a few of some of the pictures I've taken. I'm only including the backs of the children for privacy.





11 comments:

Slacker Mama said...

Just gorgeous. Seriously, I'm begging you to take pictures of my girls when you come up here.

Or should I say *if* you come up here. Because I'm starting to doubt that you ever will!

Serah said...

I'd love for you to take pictures of our family! Those are gorgeous and so simple. Good luck!

I'd love to have a job that is fun. *smile*

Sweet Pea Chef said...

When can I schedule our Christmas photo shoot with you?

justme said...

those are exclellent

Jennifer said...

Beautiful pictures! If I lived near you I'd love you to capture my family in pics. :)

I'm a former teacher too.....middle school. So much stress, I often think about going back and then I remember all the discipline and red tape, then I say nope, sorry! LOL

marathon mom said...

I am with Slacker Mom- if you visit we will force you to take pictures! They are great!!!
I have been thinking about the return to the workforce someday as well- I know 100% it will not be to teaching- now I just need to find something to do- luckily I have many years to think about it!

Somewhere Between Pinot and Pacifiers said...

Your photos are beautiful, you are very talented! I will never go back to teaching either, though I am not sure what I will do when I do decide to rejoin the working world after raising kiddos.

A good friend of mine left teaching to stay at home with her kids and start her own photography business. She is doing extremely well and much less stressed out! Good luck!

Fishy Busyness said...

I feel the exact same way so many others on this site do about my former teaching job. I was good at it and loved it, but don't want to return to the public school setting. I spent more energy on the children of others than my own! Good luck with the photography business. E-mail me at fishybusyness@yahoo.com so I can give you a private link to a CU KAT website. I haven't seen you on there yet.

JerseyBaby said...

Another former teacher not interested in ever going back. The photos are simply gorgeous!

Shannon said...

If you've found something that makes you happy, is a service to others and you'd be willing to do it for $, then I think you have found your calling! Yeah, I'm thinking one more year in the school setting and then I'm outta there! I'd like to spend a few years with the kiddies.

One Little Brownie said...

WOW! I think you should TOTALLY go for it! My friend here did the same thing (far enough to not be competition!) and her business is going great. In fact, she just did my own kids and the pictures are amazing. I think professional photographers who are also moms take the best photos of kids! If you want to talk to her for advice or anything, let Marathon Mom know. It's always great to talk to someone who has walked in those shoes. Anyway, I LOVE your photos, you are very talented!