Ageism in the Industry? | Wellesley Family Filmmaker and Photographer

I first met this little lady in the hospital a day after she was born and have filmed and photographed her many times since. She has five siblings, but a Moving Portrait session features one child, and this was her special day.

Editing her session caused me to reflect on all the years I’ve known her and all the years I’ve been photographing children. There’s a quiet fear in the heart of every family photographer (at least the ones I’ve talked to) that we will age out of the industry. We perceive that clients with young children only want to book photographers with young children. (Pair that with the known fact that parents with older children book family photographers less and less, and our fears start to feel pretty valid.)

If our perception is true about young parents, can we just talk about how ludicrous that is? (Mini-rant to follow…)

As my oldest prepares to graduate next year, my heart has NEVER been so tender as it is RIGHT NOW. When I am photographing little ones, I am channeling all the longing in the heart of every mother to slow time. I know how fast these years will fly for young parents. I know that they won’t remember the last time their child asked to be held or to play trains/dolls. I know what it feels like to desperately calibrate your heart for the college years ahead. I know because I’ve lived it, and all that life experience has furrowed my heart for the moments playing out in front of my camera…I can see a family’s future.

My life is also calm and quiet…my kids are studious and self-sufficient, which leaves me beautiful margins for reflection. I used to fly into sessions harried and rush home to put littles to bed. That’s not my story in this season…work is my play.

Sure, I may not be herding toddlers or relating to littles in my every day, but I have made them my creative play for thirteen years. I know how to tap into them. Ok, ok…admittedly I can’t do potty humor, and this is a moral failing with 4–7-year-old boys, but we always find workarounds. 😉

If you are a professional photographer or filmmaker, what are your thoughts? Is ageism in the industry a fear of yours? If you are a client, are we crazy or right to be concerned? Is ageism in the industry a myth, or a dark truth that haunts us?

love amy xo

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