Happy International Women’s Day

I work in a profession that has been very male dominated in the past. Fortunately for me, this has changed over the years. Many photographers work for themselves so are able to determine what wage they want based on how much they charge and earn. After attending an International Women’s Day event this week, I learnt that women are more inclined to charge less for the services they provide compared to what men charge for the same service. I also learnt that women sometimes feel guilty when leaving young children at home to pursue a career.

When my children were young, I studied photography and then started a business, a stressful and unrelenting period in my life that took a lot of my time. I often felt guilty and worried that I wasn’t spending enough time with my children to teach them and help them grow and develop. The guilt that a lot of women feel when pursuing a career. That guilt still rattles me from time to time now when I have work and my children need me. Fortunately for me, my husband has been been very supportive, sharing the domestic roles to allow enough time for me to build my business.

Through my work, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph many events that promote and celebrate women. Some events are to raise awareness to causes that affect women such as Share the Dignity and Voice of Change and some are to celebrate women in business such as Business Chicks, HIA Building Women, Corporate Executive Women, Victorian Women Lawyers, 10 Women, Women in Leadership, National Women in Transport and Scale and some events are celebrating the achievements of women such as Women in Law awards and Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards. Recently I had the opportunity to photograph the head shots and photography for a new radio program called Broad Radio, ‘By women For women’. It is always a privilege to photograph these events and support my sisters in business.

This week I also received a lovely letter from my son after celebrating International Women’s Day at school, which read “Dear Mum, I chose you as my inspirational woman in my life because you’re a successful business-woman, mother and person. You push me to be the best person I can be”

I love that I have made a difference in my son’s life. I certainly believe that the more we talk about women in business, and generate opportunities for women to create meaningful connections in business, the more we will see successful businesses run by women.

Happy International Women’s Day!