Jodie Otte, Baltimore Maryland Child and Baby Photographer

I was interviewed by the New York Times about women who start their own photography businesses.  The article will be out in today’s Times.  While I was only mentioned briefly, I am very disappointed in the way my name was used.  I was under the impression that my name was brought into that article in order to take it out of the "mom with a camera" rut since I am a photographer who has a studio, and I conduct business as a professional and support my family as a business owner - I’m not a hobbiest.

The tone of the article is very disappointing.  I felt lumped into the category as mom with a camera.  I am a mother who has a camera, but I consider being a mother separate from being a professional business owner.  I was a portrait artist long before I even had children.  I was very very clear to the reporter that I have had very large startup costs and to maintain a studio is very expensive - no hobbiest could do this.

There are many "moms-with-cameras" who claim to be photographers out there that charge very cheaply for their work because they have started their business on a whim but those who do so, will not be able to remain in business and maintain a succesful business for years to come.   I have structured my business to be succesful and maintain for years to come - I’m in this for the long-haul.  I love producing high quality timeless pieces of art that mean so much to the families that I photograph.

So in a nutshell, to disclaimer, I am very very disappointed with the tone of the article, and if I was aware this was the road they were going down, I would have definitely declined the interview.

I guess any publicity is good publicity?  Ehh… I don’t know… we’ll see.