Let’s be honest. Photographers are a dime a dozen, they seem to pop up faster than daisies! Some are veterans, they have figured it out and they have no intentions of telling you about it… Others are newbies trying to find the way and getting lost all the while. And than there are the few fabulous who share. It is they who make this industry better, it is by their influence that those selling themselves way to short will learn (that’s been on my mind a lot lately!) Of those few photographers making our industry better; Alice Park is a most favorite of mine! She along with her wonderful husband are the founders of NAPCP. Alice has a fabulous story telling style with a strong enviromental feel (just meaning she really captures the environment her subjects are in)! Her work speaks for itself and interviewing her was truly an honor for me! Alice inspires ME for a dozen different reasons!

Tell us a little about you.

I’m a girl with with a whole lot of heart & love for people! I love meeting new people, talking about what I love and do, and running around in circles to make kids laugh. I feel very blessed to be able to do what I do with the person I love the most (my hubby we say that everyday at lunch when we eat in the park together. 🙂

Yes. They really are this dang cute!! Jealous much?!?!!

How long have you been doing photography?

I picked up my first camera when my younger brother was born at 15. I saw & witnessed all of the joy and love that came with having a new baby in your life….and I decided then that all of that was meant to be documented. My father gave me his old Nikon, a standard lens, and some film, and I began shooting away. My hobby led to taking online courses, which led to joining online forums, which led to getting an internship with a local photographer in town. After all of that, I went to school at Georgia Tech to pursue a degree in Engineering… It didn’t take me long after starting my first job (about a year, to be exact), when I decided that this wasn’t the life I wanted to lead. My husband and I started a photography business soon after, and everything has been gravy (well, lumpy gravy) since then. It’s been 4 years, almost. 🙂

So you & your husband run the business together! Who plays what rolls?

He the business decision-maker, number cruncher, and financial planner. I am the photographer, designer and assist in implementing major projects. We are still finding that delicate fine line between business and life. Because we have such different rolls, it works. He’s the dork, and I’m the artist 🙂 At least, that’s how I like to think it works!

What’s in the bag?

My arsenal includes a canon 5d mk11 body, 85mm 1.2L, 35mm 1.4, 100mm 2.8 macro, 16-35 2.8L & lots of treats for the kids!

How many shoots do you like to schedule a week?

Six. I schedule one a day Tuesday through Friday, two on Saturdays. Sundays and Mondays are my “weekends.”

You have a unique storybook aproach that I’m sure your clients love! How did this start and how do you remember?

I’ve always been a scrap-booker. My brother’s first few years, my high school days… Piecing together family memories has always been a big part of my life, so naturally when I began this business with my husband, I knew I wanted to take this craft to another level. I call it professional scrap-booking… 🙂 It’s a way of telling a family’s story through a journalistic lens and pen & paper. I absolutely love it, and they do too… My husband and I are very blessed in that my uncle handcrafts our folios book line for us! Yes, he’s in the business of making books, and I’m not afraid to admit that we take every advantage of that for our clients!

What inspired you to start nacpp?

So many reasons! My husband and I are very passionate about our photographic community. We believe that setting high standards in our industry encourages us all to grow in ways we never dreamed of. When we began our business three years ago, there were so many things we had to learn the hard way… We yearned for a community of like-minded artists who were committed to pursuing their art professionally. It was an itch of ours that we talked about endlessly through the nights. What resources would have been beneficial to us when we began our business? What can help us grow, even after being in the business for years? This is what inspired us to start this organization…

Tell us a little about NAPCP and what you hope for it.

Our mission statement: The National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) is a member-based association representing and promoting the community of professional child photographers. The NAPCP provides a valuable platform for seasoned veterans and rising professionals alike to share their experiences, hone their craft and raise their professional visibility. That is exactly who we are and what we hope for our members. 🙂

What are some of your favorite products?

Anything Design Aglow! I also love WHCC press printed products, finding unique finds & props on etsy, Paper Source cards & craft pieces, beautiful business cards and stationary, and all things pretty.

Alice is in process of changing offices so our peak into the office is some well organized boxes! 😉

What do you wish you’d known when you were starting out?

I wish I knew that participating in online forums was THE best way to learn about the business, network and grow as an artist. I wish I had known of the best workshops, of the best inspirational blogs & websites, the best vendors. I wish I knew the importance of client referrals and client loyalty. I wish I knew a lot!

Thank you to Alice for your constant willingness to share, teach and inspire! I told you she was fantastic! If you want to learn more from Alice and other amazing photographers who have definitely made it, the NAPCP forums are seriously awesome! I’m very proud to be a member and love the vendor discounts, forums, networking and having the exposure in one more place! Make sure you go look for yourself.