{"id":1714,"date":"2025-10-04T18:54:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T23:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/?page_id=1714"},"modified":"2025-12-10T12:57:06","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T18:57:06","slug":"about-professional-child-photographer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/","title":{"rendered":"About Professional Child Photographer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is The Professional Child Photographer Website?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-theme-palette-4-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7e93581815f9d1fec7f9bfcfa37342a5\">The PROFESSIONAL CHILD PHOTOGRAPHER resource site was created by <a href=\"#marianne-drenthe-founder\">Marianne Drenthe of Marmalade Photography<\/a> for two audiences: families seeking guidance in choosing a photographer, and professional photographers looking to elevate their craft and business.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Genesis of This Resource<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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 &#8220;anyone with a camera can do it&#8221; narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the time, professional wedding photographers were facing similar challenges, with media discussions romanticizing DIY photography.  Fully epitomized by &#8220;that Uncle with a good camera&#8221; who believed he could capture a wedding couple&#8217;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.<br><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-dir-horizontal > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{max-width:unset;}.kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-top-left-radius:30px;border-top-right-radius:30px;border-bottom-right-radius:30px;border-bottom-left-radius:30px;background:#ffffff;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kadence-info-box-icon-container .kt-info-svg-icon, .kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kt-info-svg-icon-flip, .kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kt-blocks-info-box-number{font-size:50px;}.kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kt-blocks-info-box-media{border-color:var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-radius:200px;overflow:hidden;border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;padding-top:20px;padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:20px;margin-top:0px;margin-right:20px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}.kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kt-blocks-info-box-media .kadence-info-box-image-intrisic img{border-radius:200px;}.kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kt-infobox-textcontent h4.kt-blocks-info-box-title{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-infobox.kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kt-blocks-info-box-text{padding-top:19px;padding-right:19px;padding-bottom:19px;padding-left:19px;}.kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kt-blocks-info-box-text{min-height:176px;}.kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore{background:transparent;border-width:0px 0px 0px 0px;padding-top:4px;padding-right:8px;padding-bottom:4px;padding-left:8px;margin-top:10px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-infobox kt-info-box1714_ebb93d-cc\"><span class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap info-box-link kt-blocks-info-box-media-align-left kt-info-halign-left\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-media-container\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-media kt-info-media-animate-none\"><div class=\"kadence-info-box-icon-container kt-info-icon-animate-none\"><div class=\"kadence-info-box-icon-inner-container\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_aperture kt-info-svg-icon\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><circle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"10\"\/><line x1=\"14.31\" y1=\"8\" x2=\"20.05\" y2=\"17.94\"\/><line x1=\"9.69\" y1=\"8\" x2=\"21.17\" y2=\"8\"\/><line x1=\"7.38\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"13.12\" y2=\"2.06\"\/><line x1=\"9.69\" y1=\"16\" x2=\"3.95\" y2=\"6.06\"\/><line x1=\"14.31\" y1=\"16\" x2=\"2.83\" y2=\"16\"\/><line x1=\"16.62\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"10.88\" y2=\"21.94\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kt-infobox-textcontent\"><h4 class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-title\">Here is the Professional Child Photographer Content Usage Policy<\/h4><p class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-text\">You&#8217;re encouraged to share any and all excerpts from this site <strong>with<\/strong> proper attribution.<br><br>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): <br><br> &#8221; This article was written by Marianne Drenthe of Marmalade Photography <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marmaladephotography.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.marmaladephotography.com<\/a> and can be found at the Professional Child Photography site at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.professionalchildphotographer.com<\/a> &#8220;<\/p><\/div><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image1714_8c267f-aa.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image1714_8c267f-aa .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:397px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image1714_8c267f-aa.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image1714_8c267f-aa .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image1714_8c267f-aa figure{max-width:397px;}.kb-image1714_8c267f-aa .image-is-svg, .kb-image1714_8c267f-aa .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image1714_8c267f-aa:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image1714_8c267f-aa.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);}.kb-image1714_8c267f-aa .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1714_8c267f-aa\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1800\" src=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-2405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1-600x900.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PCP&#8217;s Mission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This site is a guide and was initially created with two primary goals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>CONSUMER EDUCATION: <\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The artistry behind each image<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The technical skill required<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The emotional intelligence necessary to create meaningful, lasting photographic memories<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PROFESSIONAL SOLIDARITY<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To illuminate and validate the profound depth and complexity of professional child photography. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support fellow professional photographers in communicating their value<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helping professional photographers demonstrate their unique expertise<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Help to educate clients looking for a photographer about the true value of professional image creation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0\">Continued Impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In the years since launching this site, it unexpectedly became something bigger than I&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Professional Photography Really Means<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Photography is far more than just &#8220;taking pretty pictures.&#8221; It&#8217;s a complex craft that requires:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Technical Mastery<\/span><\/strong>:  A deep understanding of ones&#8217; equipment and the technical principles of photography and the physics of light<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Artistic Vision<\/span><\/strong>:  The ability to assess and manipulate light, choose optimal shooting locations, and skillfully elicit authentic expressions. This goes beyond mere point-and-shoot\u2026it&#8217;s about creating visual narratives that capture the essence of human emotion and connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Interpersonal Skills<\/span><\/strong>:  A genuine ability to connect with subjects, requiring:<br>   \u2022&nbsp; The skill in creating comfortable, genuine interactions<br>   \u2022&nbsp; A nuanced understanding of family dynamics<br>   \u2022&nbsp; A fundamental knowledge of child psychology<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Business Acumen<\/span><\/strong>:  A commitment to professional excellence that balances artistic passion with sustainable business practices. The goal is to create a thriving business that:<br>   \u2022  Supports long-term career sustainability<br>   \u2022  Generates profit<br>   \u2022  Preserves creative energy<br>   \u2022  Maintains professional boundaries<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Digital Revolution&#8217;s Impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An Invitation to Collaborate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We welcome:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Excerpt sharing : SPREAD THE WORD about the value of professional photography<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Client referrals : Help connect families with skilled photography professionals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feedback and article suggestions : If you have an idea for an article &#8211; share it! Would love to have idea contribution to our collective knowledge for future articles to be written by Marianne.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collaborative dialogue about our profession : Would love to engage in meaningful ideas about our shared profession.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image1714_d76817-7e.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image1714_d76817-7e .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:402px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image1714_d76817-7e.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image1714_d76817-7e .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image1714_d76817-7e figure{max-width:402px;}.kb-image1714_d76817-7e .image-is-svg, .kb-image1714_d76817-7e .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image1714_d76817-7e .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1714_d76817-7e\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"535\" height=\"812\" src=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ProfilePicMare-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-2153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ProfilePicMare-edited.jpg 535w, https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ProfilePicMare-edited-198x300.jpg 198w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-theme-palette-7-background-color has-background\" id=\"marianne-drenthe-founder\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">About the Founder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5a3522f1 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 &#8211; serving as a published reviewer and webinar presenter for professional photography organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>She&#8217;s resurrecting PCP with renewed focus: helping families choose qualified photographers and helping photographers build businesses that actually last.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-4-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c56b97fcf131f65220a96ec3e8badba4\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/contributing-photographers\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/contributing-photographers\/\">Read Mare&#8217;s full bio and see the contributing photographers \u2192<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-right:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\"><blockquote><p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-theme-palette-4-color\">Professional photography is a serious craft, not a casual hobby.<\/mark><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-theme-palette-4-color has-theme-palette-7-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-d8b361ada4db29d667cae615a45adebc is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">For Families<\/span>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for a photographer? Start here:<br><br>\u2022&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/what-is-custom-photography\/\">What is Custom Photography?<\/a><br><br>\u2022&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/what-is-custom-photography\/why-choose-custom-photography\/\">Why Choose Custom Photography?<\/a><br><br>\u2022&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/client-faq-section\/\">Questions to Ask Your Photographer<\/a> [there is a pdf download for you print up at this link]<br><br>\u2022&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/professional-photographer-evaluation-checklist\/\">Photographer Evaluation Checklist<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><style>.kb-image1714_82dc35-52 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1714_82dc35-52 size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1874\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1.png 500w, https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">For Photographers<\/span>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ready to level up your business? Dive in: <br><br>\u2022 The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/professional-photography-reality-check-quiz\/\">Business Reality Check Quiz<\/a> <br><br>\u2022&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/hard-realities-article\/\">The Hard Realities of Running a Photography Business<\/a><br><br>\u2022 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TimeCostChecklist2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Time Cost Checklist<\/a> [this is a pdf download] <br><br>\u2022 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/photographer-self-evaluation-checklist\/\">Photographer Self-Evaluation<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Some Closing Thoughts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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. <br><br>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-column.kb-section-dir-horizontal > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kt-info-box1714_428c61-34 .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{max-width:unset;}.kt-info-box1714_428c61-34 .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-top-left-radius:30px;border-top-right-radius:30px;border-bottom-right-radius:30px;border-bottom-left-radius:30px;background:#ffffff;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.kt-info-box1714_428c61-34 .kadence-info-box-icon-container .kt-info-svg-icon, .kt-info-box1714_428c61-34 .kt-info-svg-icon-flip, .kt-info-box1714_428c61-34 .kt-blocks-info-box-number{font-size:50px;}.kt-info-box1714_428c61-34 .kt-blocks-info-box-media{border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;padding-top:20px;padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:20px;margin-top:0px;margin-right:20px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}.kt-info-box1714_428c61-34 .kt-blocks-info-box-media .kadence-info-box-image-intrisic img{border-radius:12px;}.kt-info-box1714_428c61-34 .kt-infobox-textcontent h4.kt-blocks-info-box-title{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;}.kt-info-box1714_428c61-34 .kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore{background:transparent;border-width:0px 0px 0px 0px;padding-top:4px;padding-right:8px;padding-bottom:4px;padding-left:8px;margin-top:10px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-info-box1714_428c61-34 .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-info-box1714_428c61-34 .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap{border-top:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-right:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-bottom:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);border-left:5px solid var(--global-palette7, #eeeeee);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-infobox kt-info-box1714_428c61-34\"><a class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap info-box-link kt-blocks-info-box-media-align-left kt-info-halign-left\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ForPhotographers.pdf\" aria-label=\"For Pro Photographers\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-media-container\"><div class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-media kt-info-media-animate-none\"><div class=\"kadence-info-box-icon-container kt-info-icon-animate-none\"><div class=\"kadence-info-box-icon-inner-container\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-svg-icon-fe_arrowRight kt-info-svg-icon\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"  fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.3\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><line x1=\"5\" y1=\"12\" x2=\"19\" y2=\"12\"\/><polyline points=\"12 5 19 12 12 19\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"kt-infobox-textcontent\"><h4 class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-title\"><strong>This article has been updated in 2025<\/strong><\/h4><p class=\"kt-blocks-info-box-text\">In response to evolving industry practices and discussions with fellow photographers this update aims to clarify and enhance PCP&#8217;s insights into the choices consumers face in the current market along with costs and value of custom photography. <br><br>PCP&#8217;s goal is and always has been to provide timeless and accurate information for families in choosing the right photographer to capture their cherished moments.<br><br>A pdf of this page from the older version of the Professional Child Photographer website can be found HERE<br><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Person\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/#mariannedrenthe\",\n      \"name\": \"Marianne Drenthe\",\n      \"alternateName\": [\"Mare\", \"Marmalade\"],\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/\",\n      \"image\": \"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ProfilePicMare-edited.jpg\",\n      \"jobTitle\": \"Professional Photographer, Educator, and Industry Advocate\",\n      \"description\": \"Founder of Professional Child Photographer (2007) and Marmalade Photography (2005). 20+ year photography career specializing in maternity, babies, children, and family photography. Published in Rangefinder Magazine, Professional Photographer Magazine, and National Geographic Traveler.\",\n      \"knowsAbout\": [\n        \"Professional Photography\",\n        \"Child Photography\",\n        \"Family Photography\",\n        \"Photography Business Education\",\n        \"Photography Industry Standards\",\n        \"Photoshop\",\n        \"Professional photography reviewer\"\n      ],\n      \"hasCredential\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"EducationalOccupationalCredential\",\n          \"credentialCategory\": \"Professional Publication\",\n          \"recognizedBy\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n            \"name\": \"Rangefinder Magazine\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"EducationalOccupationalCredential\",\n          \"credentialCategory\": \"Professional Publication\",\n          \"recognizedBy\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n            \"name\": \"Professional Photographer Magazine\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"EducationalOccupationalCredential\",\n          \"credentialCategory\": \"Professional Publication\",\n          \"recognizedBy\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n            \"name\": \"National Geographic Traveler\"\n          }\n        }\n      ],\n      \"worksFor\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n          \"@id\": \"https:\/\/marmaladephotography.com\/#organization\",\n          \"name\": \"Marmalade Photography\",\n          \"url\": \"https:\/\/marmaladephotography.com\"\n        }\n      ],\n      \"founder\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n          \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/#organization\",\n          \"name\": \"Professional Child Photographer\"\n        }\n      ],\n      \"sameAs\": [\n        \"https:\/\/marmaladephotography.com\",\n        \"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/chicagochildrensphotographer\",\n        \"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/marmaladephotography\/\",\n        \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mariannedrenthe\/\"\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/#organization\",\n      \"name\": \"Professional Child Photographer\",\n      \"alternateName\": \"PCP\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\",\n      \"logo\": \"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/Professional-Child-Photographer-logo.png\",\n      \"description\": \"Educational resource platform founded in 2007 to help families choose qualified photographers and help photographers build sustainable businesses. Created by professional photographer Marianne Drenthe.\",\n      \"foundingDate\": \"2007\",\n      \"founder\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Person\",\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/#mariannedrenthe\"\n      },\n      \"areaServed\": \"Worldwide\",\n      \"knowsAbout\": [\n        \"Professional Photography Education\",\n        \"Photography Business Development\",\n        \"Consumer Photography Education\",\n        \"Photography Industry Standards\"\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1714","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Professional Photography: Craft, Value &amp; Mission | PCP<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Professional photography: craft, skill, and artistry explained. Learn what defines the profession and PCP&#039;s mission since 2007.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Professional Photography: Craft, Value &amp; Mission | PCP\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Professional photography: craft, skill, and artistry explained. Learn what defines the profession and PCP&#039;s mission since 2007.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Professional Child Photographer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-10T18:57:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"AboutPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/\",\"name\":\"Professional Photography: Craft, Value & Mission | PCP\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-04T23:54:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-10T18:57:06+00:00\",\"description\":\"Professional photography: craft, skill, and artistry explained. Learn what defines the profession and PCP's mission since 2007.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":1800},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"About Professional Child Photographer\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/\",\"name\":\"Professional Child Photographer\",\"description\":\"Refining how families find their trusted and true professional photographers.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Professional Child Photographer\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1.png\",\"width\":500,\"height\":500,\"caption\":\"Professional Child Photographer\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Professional Photography: Craft, Value & Mission | PCP","description":"Professional photography: craft, skill, and artistry explained. Learn what defines the profession and PCP's mission since 2007.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Professional Photography: Craft, Value & Mission | PCP","og_description":"Professional photography: craft, skill, and artistry explained. Learn what defines the profession and PCP's mission since 2007.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/","og_site_name":"Professional Child Photographer","article_modified_time":"2025-12-10T18:57:06+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":1800,"url":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":["WebPage","AboutPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/","url":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/","name":"Professional Photography: Craft, Value & Mission | PCP","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1.jpg","datePublished":"2025-10-04T23:54:09+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-10T18:57:06+00:00","description":"Professional photography: craft, skill, and artistry explained. Learn what defines the profession and PCP's mission since 2007.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/suburban-chicago-tween-photography-1.jpg","width":1200,"height":1800},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/about-professional-child-photographer\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"About Professional Child Photographer"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/","name":"Professional Child Photographer","description":"Refining how families find their trusted and true professional photographers.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/#organization","name":"Professional Child Photographer","url":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1.png","contentUrl":"http:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1.png","width":500,"height":500,"caption":"Professional Child Photographer"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1714"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2815,"href":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1714\/revisions\/2815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.professionalchildphotographer.com\/information\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}