What Is The Professional Child Photographer Website?
The PROFESSIONAL CHILD PHOTOGRAPHER resource site was created by Marianne Drenthe of Marmalade Photography for two audiences: families seeking guidance in choosing a photographer, and professional photographers looking to elevate their craft and business.
The Genesis of This Resource
In early 2007, a series of misguided articles geared toward public consumption sparked frustration among professional photographers. These pieces oversimplified our craft, reducing professional photography to a casual “anyone with a camera can do it” narrative.
At the time, professional wedding photographers were facing similar challenges, with media discussions romanticizing DIY photography. Fully epitomized by “that Uncle with a good camera” who believed he could capture a wedding couple’s most crucial, once-in-a-lifetime moments. Drawing inspiration from the then-popular Digital Wedding Forum (RIP), I set out to create this FAQ for professional (child and family) photographers. As a dedicated professional, I knew these articles fundamentally misrepresented the depth, skill, and artistry of our profession.
Here is the Professional Child Photographer Content Usage Policy
You’re encouraged to share any and all excerpts from this site with proper attribution.
Please credit any excerpts you use on your site or blog by copying and pasting the following on your site or social media page (with appropriate links enabled):
” This article was written by Marianne Drenthe of Marmalade Photography www.marmaladephotography.com and can be found at the Professional Child Photography site at www.professionalchildphotographer.com “
PCP’s Mission
This site is a guide and was initially created with two primary goals:
- CONSUMER EDUCATION:
- The artistry behind each image
- The technical skill required
- The emotional intelligence necessary to create meaningful, lasting photographic memories
- PROFESSIONAL SOLIDARITY
- To illuminate and validate the profound depth and complexity of professional child photography.
- Support fellow professional photographers in communicating their value
- Helping professional photographers demonstrate their unique expertise
- Help to educate clients looking for a photographer about the true value of professional image creation
Continued Impact
In the years since launching this site, it unexpectedly became something bigger than I’d imagined. Hundreds of inbound links poured in as photographers and industry professionals found a voice that cut through the noise. What started as my (and other photographers) frustrated response to those oversimplified articles evolved completely into a resource that said what so many of us were thinking: professional photography is a serious craft, not a casual hobby.
What Professional Photography Really Means
Photography is far more than just “taking pretty pictures.” It’s a complex craft that requires:
Technical Mastery: A deep understanding of ones’ equipment and the technical principles of photography and the physics of light
Artistic Vision: The ability to assess and manipulate light, choose optimal shooting locations, and skillfully elicit authentic expressions. This goes beyond mere point-and-shoot…it’s about creating visual narratives that capture the essence of human emotion and connection.
Interpersonal Skills: A genuine ability to connect with subjects, requiring:
• The skill in creating comfortable, genuine interactions
• A nuanced understanding of family dynamics
• A fundamental knowledge of child psychology
Business Acumen: A commitment to professional excellence that balances artistic passion with sustainable business practices. The goal is to create a thriving business that:
• Supports long-term career sustainability
• Generates profit
• Preserves creative energy
• Maintains professional boundaries
The Digital Revolution’s Impact
For good or bad, the proliferation of digital SLRs has transformed our industry. The proliferation of digital SLRs is now giving way to the next iteration of the digital professional camera: mirrorless camera systems; once again fundamentally shifting our industry. This technological innovation has not only increased competition but pushed professional photographers to continuously elevate their craft. The result is a marketplace where true talent and dedication will naturally rise to the top.
An Invitation to Collaborate
We welcome:
- Excerpt sharing : SPREAD THE WORD about the value of professional photography
- Client referrals : Help connect families with skilled photography professionals
- Feedback and article suggestions : If you have an idea for an article – share it! Would love to have idea contribution to our collective knowledge for future articles to be written by Marianne.
- Collaborative dialogue about our profession : Would love to engage in meaningful ideas about our shared profession.
About the Founder
Marianne Drenthe (known affectionately as Mare) founded Professional Child Photographer in 2007 after building Marmalade Photography in 2005: specializing in maternity, babies, children, and family photography.
Throughout her twenty+ year career, her work has been featured on the cover of Rangefinder Magazine, in Professional Photographer Magazine, and in National Geographic Traveler. Beyond creating images for clients, Mare has dedicated herself to elevating industry standards through education – serving as a published reviewer and webinar presenter for professional photography organizations.
She’s resurrecting PCP with renewed focus: helping families choose qualified photographers and helping photographers build businesses that actually last.
Read Mare’s full bio and see the contributing photographers →
Professional photography is a serious craft, not a casual hobby.
For Families:
Looking for a photographer? Start here:
• What is Custom Photography?
• Why Choose Custom Photography?
• Questions to Ask Your Photographer [there is a pdf download for you print up at this link]
• Photographer Evaluation Checklist
For Photographers:
Ready to level up your business? Dive in:
• The Business Reality Check Quiz
• The Hard Realities of Running a Photography Business
• Time Cost Checklist [this is a pdf download]
• Photographer Self-Evaluation
Some Closing Thoughts
Professional photographers provide more than just a service. They are storytellers that possess a solid commitment to preserving memories via the creation of lasting visual legacies for families.
Thank you for visiting this site. I hope you find that this resource represents a productive dialogue about our craft, our very real value, and our dedication to excellence.