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 The photography department there was severely outdated, so I decided to go to the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland.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.