Industry
Mar 2024

Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

19 min read

It’s International Women’s Day, and we’re celebrating women photographers everywhere for their tenacity, creativity, compassion, and moxy. We get why you chose this path. We’re on it with you.

#FocusOnWhatMattersMost
– ShootProof


“The camera is just a tool for connection.” – CARLA TEN EYCK

Carla’s dark eyes focused intently on her webcam as she spoke, as if she could see us watching her from the future, from our ergonomic desk chairs, from the corner conference room bathed in smoggy sunlight.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photo by: CARLA TEN EYCK

As women photographers have outnumbered men in most photography genres, they’ve also faced derision and outright blame for shifts in the industry itself.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photo by: LESLIE KERSHAW

“Mom-tographers are ruining the market,” we hear. “The barrier to entry is just so low now,” some say. “Owning a camera doesn’t make you a professional,” others point out.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photo by: KALEEN ENKE

And it’s true: competition is stiff, and many emerging photographers don’t yet know how to run a business, let alone operate their newly-acquired DSLRs.

But here at ShootProof, we see the bigger picture. We see women photographers embraced by a world hungry for their perspectives, eager for their voices, and inspired by their stories.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photo by: HEATHER DAVIDSON-MEYN

As International Women’s Day drew close on our calendars, we knew we wanted to celebrate the women photographers who motivate us, day in and day out.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

The women pursuing photography on weekends, and working in cubicles on weekdays. The women watching how-to videos and reading tutorials. The women asking questions. The women trying, and failing, and trying again. The women who aren’t satisfied to sit on their sofas and watch other people’s stories unfold. The women who want to create their own stories.

“I think it’s important, as women, that we stand with each other…” – TOMAYIA COLVIN

So here we are, the women of ShootProof, standing with you, and women photographers everywhere. You are the makers and the marketers, the storytellers and the sellers, the creatives and the curators, the doers and the dreamers.


You Are Them. And You Rock.

Maybe you aren’t feeling especially amazing or inspiring or even particularly fulfilled by what you’re doing right now. Maybe you’re in Ira Glass’ Gap right now, trying so hard to make what you see in your head, yet repeatedly falling short.

It’s okay. What matters is that you’re making.

If you still don’t believe us, read Jen Sincero’s book, You Are A Badass. And eat some Skittles.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

Homework: Get Photographed. Feel the Love.

If all you ever do is make your own photographs, you’ll become disconnected from the sheer joy of photography. Before that happens, hire a photographer. Pull your favorite people in close. And get photographed. Be reminded of why you chose photography. Be reminded of what you’re working so hard to give the world.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photo by: HEATHER DAVIDSON-MEYN


Way Up North: Like You Need An Excuse To Go To Europe…

If you already live in Europe, YAY YOU!

The rest of us are looking at Instagram photos of London and Paris and Venice, sighing and checking our bank accounts one last time just in case some extra money magically appeared while we were Netflix-bingeing.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Website: WAY UP NORTH

If you do happen to have a budget for education, Way Up North is a brilliant excuse to travel to Europe. ShootProof has sent someone to WUN for the past several years, and we all pretend it’s no big deal, but honestly it’s a phenomenal experience.

True Story: at WUN Stockholm, 2018, their speaker lineup was all women photographers. How cool is that?


International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photos by: TOMAYIA COLVIN


International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

Homework: Go Looking For Magic

What does magic mean to you? Maybe you think of Harry Potter or David Blaine’s card tricks on street curbs.

If you’re like me, you think of hazy summer nights on a porch swing, or the smell of coffee brewing on a rainy weekend morning.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photo by: TOMAYIA COLVIN

Whatever the word magic conjures for you, set aside time to find it and photograph it.

Whether it’s a place, a person, or a feeling, you’ll know it when you find it.


Sophia Barrett: The Power of Print


International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photos by: SOPHIA BARRETT


International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

Real Life Photography Conference: For Women

We just had the wise and lovely Courtney Z. from Homeroom here in the ShootProof studio teaching one of her Study Hours courses – and she’ll be speaking at Real Life this year, too!

That’s the caliber of Real Life’s education: they’re offering real info you really need to really succeed in the real world. You should go. (Really.)

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Website: REAL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY CONFERENCE


Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photo by: ALICE PARK


Brené Brown: Find Your Tribe

Is tribe an overused word? Probably. But it’s the best way we know to describe Brené Brown’s book Braving the Wilderness – a guide to finding yourself and finding your tribe.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

Any form of “solo-preneurship” can feel isolating and lonely, but women photographers in particular experience an intense longing for community and connection as they navigate the rough waters of small business ownership. Read Braving the Wilderness, and you’ll find your way to a new “family” of likeminded creatives who will support and inspire you.


Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photos by: JENNY PERRY


ONA: Tracy Foster’s Beautiful Bag Line

If you want to see women photographers and women entrepreneurs thriving, give them your business.

Bag maker Tracy Foster is the beautiful mind behind ONA‘s stunning line of camera bags and accessories.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
ONA Bags

The entire ShootProof squad are suckers for all things handmade, so ONA speaks directly to our souls… (Personally, that doughnut speaks to my soul.)


International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

Homework: Make Every Moment Count

This darling little girl’s “Aunt D” passed away from a rare genetic disorder only weeks after Jane Ammon made these photos.

“This is why I do what I do.” – JANE AMMON

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photos by: JANE AMMON


At your next session, don’t put the camera down so quickly in-between shots. Linger after each frame. Wait for the unexpected to happen. Give the moment a chance to arrive, and be ready for it when it comes.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photo by: JANE AMMON


Meet Jennifer Loeber: She Tells the Stories No One Else Is Telling

***Fair warning: some of Jennifer Loeber‘s photographs contain nudity, so don’t click through to her work unless you’re comfortable with the human form au naturale.

In Left Behind, Jennifer shares the story of her mom’s death, and the objects that remained, reminding Jennifer of her.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Website: JENNIFER LOEBER

In her project Gyrle***, Jennifer shares teenage images of herself alongside photographs of a trans woman going about her daily routines.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photos by: JENNIFER LOEBER

We were mesmerized by the way Jennifer so intimately captures the everyday and makes it… well… magical.


Homework: Start A Project That Scares You

You don’t need to spend years photographing a single subject like Jennifer Loeber did, or tackle the emotionally-heavy task of documenting a deceased loved one’s belongings.

Simply choose one concept that is new to you, and get to work.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photo by: ELIZABETH BLANK

Try underwater photography like Elizabeth Blank, or pursue a self-portrait project like Jane Ammon‘s. Whatever you choose, don’t take the easy way out. Push yourself to connect; push yourself to grow; and push yourself to say yes.


YES. (For When “No” Is A No-Go.)

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

When Shonda Rhimes isn’t producing, showrunning, and screenwriting, she writes books. We imagine her with a waterproof pad of paper, writing in the shower, because when else would she have time to write a book?

Read Year of Yes, and maybe you’ll be writing a book, too! Or at least saying “yes” to coffee with your next new photographer-friend.


International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photo by: KALEEN ENKE


International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

{un}convention: If You’re More Rebel Than Routine…

The folks behind the beautifully inclusive Catalyst Wedding Co. bring diversity training (and so much more) to wedding photographers and other wedding industry pros. They haven’t scheduled their 2018 conference yet, but previous events have sold out!

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Website: {un}convention

If you’re looking to expand your client base and broaden your portfolio, {un}convention is your home-away-from-home.


International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photo by: LESLIE KERSHAW


Meet Sara Macel: She’s A Time-Traveler

Sara lends new meaning to the word “legacy” as she gives story to the photographs and artifacts owned during WWII by her now-deceased grandmother.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Website: SARA MACEL

What artifacts are in your possession? What stories can you tell?

Are you ready to explore them?


Alice Park: Leaving A Legacy


National Association of Professional Child Photographers

Alice Park does more than photograph families. She also cultivates a community of primarily women photographers who specialize in child and family photography. Their thriving online gatherings are fueled by regular image competitions and educational opportunities for their members.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Website: NAPCP

I’ve been honored to participate in a handful of NAPCP events, and I have to say: their community is unlike any other I’ve seen. If you’re looking for unwavering support from a circle of dedicated professionals, NAPCP could be your tribe.


Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Photo by: ALICE PARK


International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

For Women, By Women

This is us, your tiny ShootProof team of women photographers who created the videos and graphics, and curated the contributors and collaborators.

International Women's Day: Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time
Written & Produced by: ANNE SIMONE | Filmed & Edited by: CASSIA REYNOLDS | Produced by: RACHEL LACOUR NIESEN

And here are all the other women of ShootProof: the programmers and designers, the managers and developers, the support specialists and the product planners.

Women Photographers Are Changing the World, One Connection At A Time

We’re all in this together, committed and cooperating. Together we’re thriving.

Together we’re changing the world.


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Contributor

  • Screenshot 2024 12 06 at 7.07.57 AM

    Anne is chronically curious. She loves al fresco dining, anthology podcasts, and getting tattooed when she travels. When her dog disappeared in 2022, she built a social media campaign to help find her; Anne got her back 101 days and 18k Instagram followers later!