When I Grow Up: Becoming a Photographer

I was delighted to meet Mariah Rockwell at a Being Boss event earlier this year. She's an awesome photographer, and it was a joy talking to her! I was so glad when she agreed to tell her story. So let's get into it!

As a child, I wanted to be a ­­­____ when I grew up. I knew from a young age that I either wanted to something where I could help the helpless, work with animals or do something art-related.

How close (or far) is your current career from that dream? I have a degree in Special Education and I am a photographer, so two out of three!

What is your official job title? Oh, I am a wearer of many hats, but my official job titles are Mild/Moderate Special Education Teacher and Photographer.

Ok, now what does that really mean? It means this year (which is my last year of teaching before going solo-preneur full-time) I will teach the entire school of second and third graders who need extra support in the classroom. As for photography, it means that I shoot portraits, styled photography and I will be branching out in to personal branding photography where I will help other small business owners obtain tailored photos that match their personality and their brand.

What is a typical day like? Let me tell you that trying to run a business with a small baby and two older kiddos is no joke! This summer,  I am usually awake by 6 or 7 after 2-3 night feedings and I am searching for a large cup of coffee. I try to get as much completed in the morning as possible. This is when my brain works the best and when the girls are occupied with waking up, breakfast, etc. I will try to write blog posts, schedule social media, etc. at this time. The baby doesn’t usually nap when the older girls nap, so I don’t get much completed then. During the afternoon I will try to clean or shoot some styled stock. Evenings are for dinners, baths, etc. and then when the girls go to sleep I will edit and try not to be enticed by the Netflix queue.

How did you end up in this career? And what kind of education or training did you complete for this career? Besides being a mom, I’ve always known that I wanted to either be photographer or work with kids with special needs. I first started college at the University of Central Oklahoma studying photography. The photography department there was severely outdated, so I decided to go to the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland. I loved it there. However, I knew that pursuing a career in photography would take time to build and I missed my momma, so I went back to the University of Central Oklahoma to get my degree in Special Education. This way, I could have an income and insurance while building the photography business up.

What advice would you give to someone who wants a similar career? There are so many things to share about becoming a photographer. I am in the process of creating some e-books on this topic, so I can help others get to where they want to be by taking a less bumpy path than I did.

First, I would say to really, truly figure out your ideal client. This will determine your branding, editing style, etc. You won’t be happy when you attract clients you necessarily didn’t want, because you were putting out vibes that weren’t truly authentic.

Stop being jealous. Instead of feeling crappy about yourself or your art, figure out specifically what you would like to “have” of theirs and then create a plan to get there. (Without stealing ideas. Don’t be that guy.)

Listen to your gut. You will know when you hit the “sweet spot” on your pricing and when you find a brand look or editing style that is right for you. Don’t try to force it because everyone can tell.

Do you have any other career dreams? What do you want to be when you grow up? Being a Gemini with self-diagnosed adult ADHD ensures that I always have 1,000 ideas and projects going or being dreamt of. Right now I am building a website for Boss Stock Photos (launching end of July). I heard from a lot of entrepreneurs about needing specific styled stock, but usually finding only one kind of style or photos that aren’t related to their niche. I’ll also be offering custom branding photography as mentioned above.

Another goal by the end of this year is to have a studio. I’m just waiting to find the right space I’ve been dreaming of and not settling!

When I grow up, I want to be able to travel frequently with my family. I want to be present and in the moment and I want to be fulfilled by helping support my family by being able to create things for a living.

Any last thoughts or encouragement for others trying to decide what they want to do “when they grow up”? Do want you want to do. Don’t listen to your momma, don’t listen to the haters, don’t conform to societal norms. If you want to work the 9-5, do it. If you don’t want to go to college, don’t. If you want to work for yourself, freaking do it. Just be prepared to work your ass off. I love quotes, so I’ll leave you with a recent favorite: 

“Be the Leslie Knope of whatever you do." -Katie Thierjung

Thank you for sharing your story Mariah! If you're local to OKC you should definitely bookmark her website for your future photography needs. You can also find her on various social media feeds like Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. 

PS - Interested in some unique stock photography? Check out Mariah's project, Boss Stock Photos.

Previously on Mrs Robbins Sparkles...

When I Grow Up: Hayley of Three Feathers Design

Hey friends! Today I'd like to introduce you to Hayley of Three Feathers Design. I see her around the Being Boss Facebook group often, and I was excited that she agreed to be a part of this series. 

As a child, I wanted to be a ___ when I grew up. Veterinarian was at the top of my list but once I started talking art and design classes in high school I knew that was my path. If you had asked me in high school I would have said photographer. 

 How close (or far) is your current career from that dream? Fairly close, photography is a completely different career than graphic design but they overlap and I get to be creative, which was the ultimate dream. 

What is your official job title? Owner and Principal Designer at Three Feathers Design

 Ok, now what does that really mean? It means I do every job there is in order to run a small business. Book keeper, marketer, public relations, office manager if there’s a hat I wear it. It can be a little overwhelming! 

What is a typical day like? I have a newborn and a three-year-old at home so my days are a little hectic at the moment! Once the dust settles a typical day will begin after dropping my son off at preschool, baby in tow getting to the office around 8:30am. I usually answer emails for the first hour, check social media and look at my list of tasks for the day. 

Around 9:30am I turn my Spotify on and get stuck into designing for an hour or two. I try to get at least two solid hours of design time in the morning, it doesn’t always happen though. 

Then around 11:30 I send another round of emails or return phone calls before lunch. If I have meetings I try to schedule them in the morning, in my office. 

I usually head home for lunch and work from home for the afternoon. With my little one, it’s nice to be able to bring her into the office but I am also more comfortable with her at home so I split my time. 

Occasionally I will answer emails and do a little work after the kids go to bed but I have been trying to leave it until the morning. 

How did you end up in this career? Like I said, I wanted to be a photographer or at least be in a creative field. After high school I applied for a photography program but didn’t get in. That kind of derailed my plans so I set off to travel for a little while. Once I was ready to start back at school I bounced around majors. Thinking that pursuing a career in a creative field was pointless and I would never make any money. During that time of getting back into school and figuring out what I wanted to do I landed a job as a chalk artist for Trader Joe’s. I absolutely loved it and had a realization that I can actually make a career as a creative. That is when I decided to move to San Francisco and get my degree in Graphic Design.

What kind of education or training did you complete for this career? I have my Bachelor's of Art in Industrial Design. I also interned at a design studio just after graduating. I will have to say though, the most valuable skills I have learned have been since I have been working in the industry and teaching myself things I need to learn on the spot. Google and Lynda.com are amazing for that. 

What advice would you give to someone who wants a similar career? Go for it! There are lots of job opportunities in graphic design and the flexibility of working for yourself or freelancing is great. Personally, I believe a design education is important but if you’re motivated enough, you can also teach yourself the skills you need. There are plenty of amazing designers that do not have a formal education. 

Do you have any other career dreams? What do you want to be when you grow up? I would love to continue to grow by business and eventually hire other designers. My dream is to have my own full service marketing and design studio, that’s a while down the road though. 

Any last thoughts or encouragement for others trying to decide what they want to do “when they grow up”? Stop thinking about it and do it. It is possible to make a career out of your dreams but you have to put in the work. I always knew what I wanted to do but was too scared, just take the leap and make it happen. You will never look back. 

Thank you Hayley! If you want to find out more about her, check out her website or her blog. 

Previously on Mrs Robbins Sparkles...

When I Grow Up: Becoming a Shop Owner & Florist

Hey there! I'm super excited to be sharing Jessica McEwen's story with you today. I especially love her answer to the first question! Find out more about her now:

As a child, I wanted to be a ­______ when I grew up. I grew up in rural England and I desperately wanted to be a British version of Laura Ingalls Wilder!  I wanted to be an author and write amazing stories for young girls, filled with adventure and curiosity.  I was certain I would spend my adult life living in a remote cottage in the English hills composing novels on my trusty hunter green manual typewriter and taking long brooding walks across the moors.

How close (or far) is your current career from that dream? Well, there is still a fair bit of brooding and typing, but I now live in a large city and spend my days working as a florist, which wasn't at all on my radar as a child.

 What is your official job title? I am sole proprietor of Periwinkle Flowers.

Ok, now what does that really mean? It means I am two things at once- I am a shop owner and I am a florist within that shop.  Because I own a retail shop rather than a floral studio, I have to wear many hats, not just my floral one. 

What is a typical day like? Twice a week I am up extra early to buy flowers remotely from the growers market.  Luckily technology has evolved since I began the shop, and now I don't have to physically be at market in the wee hours, I can sit in my pajamas with a hot mug of coffee and use my laptop to make my live auction bids, which is fantastic. Once my son Patrick is off to school I'll either head out to market to pick the flowers up or head straight to the shop. Mornings are spent in a mad dash getting orders made and out the door. Afternoons I try to fit in planning, paperwork, social media etc in between serving customers by phone or in person. Often I'll have an event to deliver, in which case my part time designer will work the shop while I drive across town and do the set up, which is always an adventure. No two days are alike.

How did you end up in this career? My childhood dreams changed a little, as my family moved to Canada when I was a teenager, which widened my world view a fair bit.  In high school I decided that writing for a newspaper was far more serious and grown up than literature.  I was accepted into University for Journalism but promptly flunked out two months in. Then followed a year of floundering, with lots of angst and lack of direction.  I ended up picking a year of floral school at a college in Toronto because my boyfriend (now my husband) was training there as an urban aboriculturist for a year and I didn't want to get stuck in a program if we ended up moving for his career. Considering I chose the course with very little thought as to whether I would want to do the career it was training me for, I'm pretty lucky that I ended up completely besotted with flowers and the florist life.

What kind of education or training did you complete for this career? I took a full year long course in Retail Floristry at college.  The course was great, really in depth not just about floral design and mechanics but also design history, plant propagation and care, and we studied the business side of things too.  I even had to learn the Latin names of all the flowers and plants.  As part of the course I had to complete a work placement in a flower shop. I was lucky enough to get placement at a very high-end shop and they hired me straight out of the program. I then worked for several different florists as well as spending a couple of years freelancing as a designer with some event studios which was great exposure to that side of the business.

What advice would you give to someone who wants a similar career? If you can find a floral school that includes a work placement, take it. The biggest issue is not having on site experience and that is the easiest way to get it in a good supportive environment. There is a lot you need to learn, it isn't just making pretty flower designs all day- you need to have the background training to make sure what you are making is going to last as expected and not fall apart. And to complicate things even more, working in a flower shop you add in the extra skills of dealing with customers and running a business as well.  Work as many places as you can, meet people and expose yourself to different styles and environments. Make sure you get experience in all aspects of floristry, not just making arrangements- you'll need to know how to deal with the retail side too.

Do you have any other career dreams? What do you want to be when you grow up? I've owned my own flower shop for almost 14 years now, but last year I moved the space to a very different neighborhood.  It honestly feels like starting over and I'm in this wonderful phase of falling in love with the business all over again.  Suddenly everything is a new adventure and I feel like there is so much more to learn.  I can't imagine being anything but a flower shop owner for the rest of my working life, but I am really enjoying rethinking all parts of what that means to me and how I go about being that.

 Any last thoughts or encouragement for others trying to decide what they want to do “when they grow up”? Try not to get caught up in a funnel.  I did really well in school and looking back I can see I was getting pushed towards certain schooling by my teachers.  If I had been able to see outside of that I might have discovered so many other things that I loved to do and wouldn't have felt so lost when I realized I had no interest in university.  Find other things outside of the traditional education to pursue, find something that makes you feel happy and then don't discount it as a hobby or pastime.  If you are like I was in my early adulthood, and you realize you don't feel any passion for the career you thought you wanted to pursue it only means you need to look for something else.  Follow your passion, but be ok if that passion changes.

Thanks for your wise words, Jessica! If you want a peek into her flower filled world, check out her Instagram account or Facebook page. Or you can visit her website for more info!

Previously on Mrs Robbins Sparkles...