A little over two years ago, I sat my pregnant booty down and joined Clickin’ Moms.
My membership was an early anniversary present from my husband. I had heard of Clickin’ Moms for several years. My friends liked their Facebook page, my favorite bloggers mentioned them in several of their blog posts, and I’d heard their name dropped in conversations with a few girls I knew that were also interested in photography.
I didn’t join the forum right away.
I had lots of reasons not to- the biggest being that it cost money and the second that I thought I would be too young for the forum. Sure, I was a mom but I wasn’t, like, a mom. Y’know? I was a very young mom and, truthfully, was scared to join. So, I didn’t join. I just thought about joining instead.
I am a completely self taught photographer. I learned everything from trial and error, from reading books and online tutorials, and making really stupid mistakes like buying an 85mm lens, being frustrated when I realized I couldn’t use it in my home, and still attempting to use it to photograph an extended family photograph at my very first wedding. And that wasn’t even close to my most laughable mistake. I am grateful for this time period I went through- the agonizing “What do I do?” questions and late night Googling but, truthfully, I do not recommend this route. At all. I absolutely recommend joining a forum instead.
When I joined Clickin’ Moms, I was pretty exhausted. I knew the basics. I knew what I wanted to photograph. My business ducks were in a row. I was a stronger photographer than I had ever been before. But! I didn’t know any photographers. I had a few friends that dabbled in photography but they were spread throughout the country and, out of all of them, I had been doing photography the longest. So, because of this, I had no one to ask when I had questions and, after two years of figuring things out on my own, I was just really ready to communicate with other photographers.
Enter Clickin’ Moms.
Joining Clickin’ Moms opened up all kinds of doors for me. I stayed up late for weeks when I joined the forum, pouring over the information listed- not just the tutorials and the advice but just looking at photographs and feeling so amazed that there were other photographers out there that, like me, loved photography with their whole heart. It was such a wonderful experience and, instead of lurking on the forum, I jumped right in and got chatty.
It was one of my best decisions ever.
Less than a year after joining the forum, I joined CMPro, a smaller, application-based community that is full of absolutely splendid photographers. Immediately after being accepted, I started sharing on the CMPro Daily Project and I loved it. Then, in January, I joined the CM Team as a Mentor. And in February? I was able to publish my Breakout- The Hue of You – through their online store. Then in March? I was published in Clickin’ Moms award-winning (and gorgeous) magazine, Click, and also was able to meet several of the members of the CM Team at WPPI, a photography convention in Vegas. And in September? I will be teaching at their photography conference Click Away in Salt Lake City (which I am so excited about for so many reasons!).
I don’t say all of this to brag or to convince you that I am awesome. I say this because, if I had never taken a chance and joined the forum, I never would have had the opportunities I have had and, more importantly, I would not be the photographer I now am. I have learned so much from Clickin’ Moms and have been able to make some absolutely amazing friendships simply because I took a chance, signed up, and got involved. The community on Clickin’ Moms is so wonderful, uplifting, and supportive.
So, should you join a photography forum? YES! Absolutely! And, if you’re looking, Clickin’ Moms is an awesome place to be.
PS. This blog post was not sponsored by Clickin’ Moms in any way.
I just really, really love the community and have been wanting to share this post for a long time!
Weddings | Engagements | Seniors | Families | Personal
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* Lissa Chandler is a creative portrait and wedding photographer in Northwest Arkansas who specializes in senior portrait and wedding photography. Lissa is known for creative, emotive, and unique wedding photography and currently lives in Fayetteville with her family: a husband who is crazy supportive (and amazing!), a three-year old who currently loves to play house, and a one year old who thinks spilling water on the carpet is, like, the most fun anyone could ever have. Lissa is currently booking 2015 Seniors and 2015 weddings in Fayetteville, Bentonville, Siloam Springs, Rogers, Springdale, and all of NWA. She is available for wedding work nationwide. *
That is awesome, Annmarie! And you should definitely talk more- it’s so fun!