A Note Of Thanks to These Talented Professional Child Photographers
Since 2007, at the inception of the PCP site, I’ve showcased my words alongside work from photographers I like and admire in our industry. This revamp is no exception. We have featured the following photographers’ work, you can click each name to get to their bio:
– Marianne Drenthe
– Lori Morrow
– Corey Farrar
– Paula Swift
– With additional thank yous to those who inspire
A hearty thank you to these amazing and talented photographers who trusted me to feature their images throughout this site. Their work represents exactly what we’re talking about when we discuss professional, custom photography—beautiful imagery created by skilled business owners who take their craft seriously.
Each of these photographers has built a sustainable business, serves their clients with professionalism and heart, and contributes to elevating industry standards in their own way. They’re proof that you can run a photography business that’s both artistically excellent and financially viable.
I’m grateful to showcase their work alongside my words and some of my own images.
Paula Swift – Greater Boston, MA based in Sudbury, MA
Paula has been a professional photographer since 1995, starting her career in photojournalism. She’s earned nearly every credential the industry offers: Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, and Certified Professional Photographer (all endorsed by PPA). She’s an International Award-Winning Portrait Artist and the author of Storytelling Portrait Photography: How to Document the Lives of Children and Families – a guide for photographers looking to capture authentic and heartfelt moments.
Beyond her own artistry, Paula is a beloved photography mentor and educator who has guided countless photographers in developing their craft. She specializes in creating timeless images of children, families, pets, and the meaningful connections they share through her full-service studio serving the Metrowest Boston area.
You can see Paula’s extensive portfolio at her beautiful website catering to Boston area families and children at: www.paulaswift.com
Corey Farrar – West Atlanta, GA
Corey Farrar is a photographer of over 20 years having started her successful and muti-faceted photography business at the end of 2004 as as Corey Civetta Photography – in 2010 changing her business name to Simply Corey.
She specializes in everything family and motherhood: maternity, newborns, baby’s first year, children, high school seniors, and families.
Corey is an extremely versatile photography artist and does a beautiful job creating in-studio photography work (as you can see throughout this website) as well as gorgeous outdoor setting photography work.
You can view her stunning work as an Atlanta-based photographer of “everything family” at her site: www.simplycoreyphoto.com
Lori Morrow – Boston Metro Area, MA
Lori has been a professional photographer for twenty years, building her business on a foundation of client relationships and technical excellence.
Her versatility as a photographer sets her apart – she works seamlessly across multiple photography disciplines, serving families capturing milestone moments, marketing departments requiring polished brand imagery, and small business owners building their visual presence.
You can view Lori’s lovely and well executed work in the Greater Boston area here: https://www.lorimorrowphotography.com/
Marianne Drenthe (Mare) – Chicago and Suburban Chicago, IL
Marianne (aka Mare) has been a professional photographer for over twenty years, launching Marmalade Photography in 2005 with a focus on maternity, babies, children, families, high school seniors, and young adults. Her work has been recognized nationally and internationally – she has been featured on the cover of Rangefinder Magazine, interviewed and showcased in Professional Photographer Magazine and her images have appeared in National Geographic Traveler. Her work was also featured in Photographing Children Photo Workshop by Ginny Felch, 1st and 2nd editions.
Beyond creating images for clients, Mare has dedicated herself to elevating industry standards through education. She’s served as a published reviewer for Professional Photographer Magazine, has presented webinars for Professional Photographers of America on working with children using Developmental Stage theories, and has appeared on Rangefinder Radio discussing her work and photographic style. Her black and white work earned Special Mention in the Spider B&W Awards in the category of Advertising.
Mare has also worked extensively with photographers at all skill levels – from beginners to established professionals – as a workshop instructor and private mentor, helping them build sustainable, profitable businesses.
In 2007, Mare founded this site, Professional Child Photographer, as a resource dedicated to educating both consumers and photographers about what defines professional, sustainable photography. After several years of dormancy, she has completely resurrected PCP with a renewed focus and vision: helping families choose qualified photographers and helping photographers build businesses that actually last. Marianne is the primary voice heard throughout this website but the experiences she has drawn into these articles are scenarios many photographers and clients have experienced throughout her 20+ year career.
You can see Marianne’s photography work at: www.marmaladephotography.com and scattered throughout this site.
A note of thanks to the following…
…to the sources, resources, and community that shaped this site.
To the photography forums of the early digital era:
The now-extinct havens like Digital Wedding Forum, I Love Photography and all the various offshoots – these weren’t just websites – they were all-out photography-loving, business-driven communities. These were spaces where photographers gathered to share knowledge, celebrate wins, commiserate over challenges, and push each other toward excellence. Those forums shaped how thousands of photographers understood their craft and their profession during the critical transition from film to digital.
The camaraderie, tough love, and collective wisdom found in those spaces directly influenced the creation of this website: Professional Child Photographer. Without those communities and the thousands of photographers who participated in them, this site wouldn’t exist. You’ll find their influence scattered throughout these pages – in the philosophies, the approach, and the refusal to let photography be diminished to “anyone with a camera can do it.”
Thank you to the still-in-existence Pro4um forum and all the various Facebook groups that are better than the-usual-photographer-offerings.
To every photographer who ever posted, lurked, learned, or contributed to those forums: thank you. You helped build the foundation for what professional photography could become.
To CAUGHT ON FILM Photography:
Special thanks to this San Diego-based photography team whose work and approach inspired much of the discussion in “Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?” Their commitment to articulating the value of professional photography helped shape the conversation around sustainable business practices. I wish I could direct link to their www or their social media but I cannot find their online presence after extensive searching.
Other Contributors & Sources:
• The various creators of memes scattered throughout this site, many of which are anonymous due to lack credit to the original creator
• The owner of the Facebook Photographer’s Memes Page – if you see the credit on the meme? It’s theirs!
• To Kari of www.studiokportraits.com
• The owner of the Meme’s for Togs Facebook Page – if you see the credit on their meme? I took it from there.