1. We ARE professional photographers

Being a photographer in Utah (the most over-saturated market in the US) telling people I am a photographer has them thinking I am just doing it to pay for groceries or to make a little side money. This is far from the truth. Yes, we have a lot of mom ‘togs, but to the surprise of many, some of us are professionals! We are licensed and insured and make a livable salary!

2. We like working

I love my kids. They give me life, just like I gave theirs. Yet, sometimes, I like to be away from them. Working gives me time to be myself and work on me!

3. We pay taxes

Once a year, I do my taxes just like anyone else. Between sales tax, federal and state, I pay the government 30% of my earnings.

4. We have two full-time jobs

My first full-time job is being a mom. No matter if I am working full-time on my photography, the hours for motherhood still come out to well above 80 hours a week. Between night time-feedings and early morning bathroom rushes, I am always on the clock. Balancing motherhood and photography is hard, but they are both my callings in life. Why shouldn’t I do both?

5. Not all our pictures are professional pictures

I take phone pictures just like anyone else. No, my composition and my lighting aren’t great. I just like to capture the moment. The amount of phone pictures surpasses my professional pictures. Not to say I don’t take professional pictures of my kids, because I very much think it’s necessary, but more to say I love capturing those imperfect shots as well.

The two images above are some of my favorites of my boys and they were taken with my phone!

I really wanted a smiling, excited picture for his new big brother status. Did. not. happen.

6. Our kids are difficult to take pictures of too! (We get it).

I’ll let you on a little secret. I totally bribe my kids. No, it doesn’t always work. Yes, there are lots of tears, but I still push through just as I would do for anyone’s child or family portraits. Being a child and family photographer I get the best of both worlds because I get to practice on my kids even when they are naughty!

My quaint home. I love it and no it’s not a mansion, but my salary from my photography helps pay for it!

7. Even though our prices are high, we are not rich (but so what if we are)

My average investment is over $1,500, but you know what? I am worth it! My craft has taken over 10 years to build and I proud of my work. People get beautiful artwork along with a great experience and sometimes a new friend (I’m very outgoing)! And even though you may spend hundreds of dollars on your session, that does not mean I am rich or that you are getting cheated out of your money. My pricing reflects not only the time we spend together during our session, but pre and post session work, hours of editing, self-education, cost of running a profitable business, and time spent away from my kids.

8. We hone our craft

It might seem like we are know-it-alls when it comes to photography, but all of us (well, I hope) are always trying to learn more. We pay thousands a year on workshops and tutorials. We spend hours learning on YouTube university. Photography is like a muscle, either you use it or you lose it.

9. It’s our passion, but still a job

I really dislike when I hear “well it’s my passion, that’s why I charge so little”. It might be your passion, just like it is mine, but that does not mean it’s not a job. And even though it’s my passion, somedays I have a hard time wanting to sit down and work instead of, for example, watching Gilmore Girls. Just like a job though, I don’t have a choice. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid.

10. It’s hard

Most importantly, I want you to know: It’s hard! It’s hard to spend time away from my babies and it’s hard to be a small business owner in a very saturated industry. It’s hard to feel like, no one values your trade. It’s taken a lot of work and discipline to get here and it’s still hard to not give up. But at the end of the day the reward of giving families lasting memories is worth all the headache.

Aralie Rae Photography specializes in bold, colorful, and timeless newborn, family, and child photography in Pleasant Grove, Utah and surrounding areas including but not limited to Provo, Alpine, Orem, Lehi, Cedar Hills, Highland and American Fork. Let me help you capture pictures that will be passed on for generations! Utah County kid Photographer | Alpine Family Photography | Utah County Kid Photographer | Utah Newborn Photographer | Utah Family Photographer | Utah County Family Photographer | Pleasant Grove Newborn Photographer | Best Child Photographer Utah County | Best Family Photographer Utah County | Utah County Child Photographer | Utah County Photography Studio | Lehi Child Photographer