Photo Tips

Featuring an Amazing Mom! Meet San Diego, Portrait Photographer, Carey Schumacher of Barefoot Memories!

Me Ra Koh

If you’ve attended our CONFIDENCE workshops, you’ve probably heard me talk about Carey Schumacher. Without question, she is not only an AMAZING mom, but an AMAZING photographer and AMAZING friend. Her business is designed in such a way that fits her lifestyle of being wife, mom, photographer, beautiful woman.

Carey is bold and doesn’t let the industry push her around. She and her business don’t fit into a box. She is who she is–take it or leave it. Her clients jump at the chance to “take it”. Throughout our friendship, Carey has given me so much encouragement. Even though our personalities and businesses are different, I can’t tell you how much it means to know that I can pick up the phone and ask her to pray for me. I can cry into the phone, and she will have an encouraging word for me. Even though she teases me for being so deep at times, she encourages me to go for it. Her life alone is a symbol of “going for it”. And let’s not forget that Carey is also one of the BEST at outwitting and teasing Brian! That is saying SOMETHING! 🙂

Meet Carey Schumacher, San Diego Portrait Photographer, owner of the well known Barefoot Memories!

Carey Schumacher, Barefoot Memories

1. Carey, when did you start your business and what was the turning point of taking it from a hobby to a business of charging people and putting up a website?

I started in 2002. I’d been taking pictures for friends & family, but when my husband was laid off from his job, I needed to start charging for photography. I needed to help the family, so it was either 1) make a photography business profitable 2) get a job teaching college Math or 3) sell the house & move. A bunch of friends had been telling me, “you could totally charge money for your photography,” so it was time to find out if they were right!

Carey Schumacher, Barefoot Memories

2. What inspires your photography?

Carey Schumacher, Barefoot Memories

The people in front of my camera at the time (each family is so unique & beautifully made) AND the stories I hear back about how families have happily & proudly filled their homes with my photos — that’s awesome to me.

3. What inspires you as a person, artist?

Man, you get deep with these questions. I didn’t go to your touchee feely “find the artist within” workshop, so I’m neither qualified nor certified to answer this question. (There she goes, teasing me again. :))

I’ll take a crack at it anyway… I feel really inspired by my family.

Carey Schumacher, Barefoot Memories

Carey Schumacher, Barefoot Memories

They’re divine (made by God).

5. What are the classes/workshops/DVDs you’ve watched to teach yourself photography? Were they helpful?

I’ve never been to a photography class, and the first workshop I attended was the one I hosted with some spazzy chick from Seattle. (who is she talking about? :)) I LOVE attending WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) in Vegas. Spending a few days around other photographers is great for my photography & my business.

6. What was your first “paid” shoot like? How did you feel on the way, during and after?

I was VERY nervous. I felt nauseous. I prayed for peace, and I prayed that the family I was meeting would feel peace and joy as well. Then I prayed that I would get nervous on my way to my next shoot, so I’d remember to pray. Hundreds of shoots later, I still get nervous on the way to photoshoots. (Isn’t it nice to know that someone as talented as Carey still gets nervous before a shoot? Kind of freeing, huh.)

Carey Schumacher, Barefoot Memories

7. What is the best and toughest part about doing this while being a mom and wife at the same time?

The best is being able to make my own schedule.
The toughest is trying to NOT WORK when I should be focusing on MOM duties.

(I have to add something here because one of the things I admire most about Carey is her ability to be present as a mom and present as a business woman. And sometimes she is able to magically combine the two. For instance, she did the coolest soccer team photos I’ve ever seen for her son’s team. I mean this soccer image redefines “soccer team photos” for me. What about you? 🙂

Carey Schumacher, Barefoot Memories

That image won Matt’s soccer team a trip to the David Beckham Academy. And they ended up being in Soccer America magazine! Is she the coolest mom EVER or what!)

Carey Schumacher, Barefoot Memories

8. What is one piece of advice you’d give to newbies?


Don’t stay up til all hours of the night looking at other photographers’ websites convincing yourself that you suck. Give yourself a little bit of “I SUCK!” time, but not too much! And use that time to convince yourself to PRACTICE MORE and try harder instead of getting bogged down with “I Suck-itis”

9. What else would you like to add that I’m missing? Feel free, free, free!

I’m excited about two things coming up:

1) my trip to NYC in a few weeks, where I’m teaching a myFU
Ncamera
workshop in Central Park. I’ll also be in the Mpix booth at the PhotoPlus tradeshow if anyone wants to come by and say HI 🙂

2) WPPI should be opening up registration for next year’s Master’s Classes soon! They were supposed to be open at the beginning of October, but I don’t think they’ve opened up registration yet. Here are the details:

Program Title: Go BIG or go home? I’ll take HOME! Solutions and strategies for home-based photographers (that is my favorite title ever Carey!)
Program Day: Sunday 3/07 Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Program Room: Room #201
The folks from WPPI told me to give people this link to “stay tuned”
http://www.wppionline.com/lasvegas/intro.html

Carey Schumacher, Barefoot Memories

I had to end with this sweet image of her dog (otherwise, I’d be in BIG trouble!).

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Carey just revamped her whole blog, and it’s pretty cool! http://barefoot-memories.com/blog Go check it out and tell her what you think!

If you have any questions for her, feel free to post them up in today’s comments. Also, be sure to check out her Pocket Guides! They are awesome!

And if you want to read more about Carey, she recently did an interview with a friend of ours, Davina Fear. Davina is another beautiful woman in the industry. She has been doing these awesome “Women and Business” interviews on her blog. Carey had a ton of great (and funny) things to say. Check it our here! http://davina.squarespace.com/journal/2009/10/1/women-and-business-carey-schumacher.html I’ll be doing one for Davina this November. If you want to see Carey live and in action during a portrait shoot, check out her video on her main Barefoot Memories website!

p.s. Did you see the last four Amazing Mom features? If so, check them out here!

1. Interview w/ Leslie Webber from Indianapolis, Indiana!

2. Interview w/ Michelle Riddle from Santa Cruz, CA!

3. Interview w/Tracie Stier-Johnson from Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

4. Interview w/Lora Ayers from Atlanta, Georgia!

A new one to come next week!

p.s.s. AND, would you like to be featured on our blog too?

If you have attended our workshop, purchased one of our five 101 Kits , or watched our DVDs, and feel like your life has taken a new and wonderful turn for the better, then please send me an email at mera@fioria.us . I will send you directions on how to be featured. We can’t promise to feature everyone, but I want to do this type of blog post more and more. Hundreds of people have sent us the most amazing emails regarding our workshops and DVDs impacting their life, their before and after photos, their revived passion; I would love for all of you to hear those stories!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What about putting CONFIDENCE on your Christmas Wish List this year!!! We are down to THREE spots in the January Seattle CONFIDENCE Workshop! The November Seattle CONFIDENCE Workshop is already sold out! CLICK HERE to get one of the last spots!

Our Refuse to Say Cheese DVD series are now AWARD WINNING! Read the press release HERE ! If you haven’t ordered your own copy yet, check out our popular Instructional DVDs Refuse to Say Cheese and , and our 101 Kits for starting or expanding a business in photography, click on the titles of your choice!

Share:

  1. Michelle says:

    Carey! You rock! =)

    You were the first photographer to capture DJ in his natural (not constipated looking) smile! =) You are an awesome photographer, COOL mom, inspiring and I love seeing how far you have come!

    Oh how I miss running into you and the kids at Target! My trips here are just not the same without a “are you following us?” from Mat. I can’t help it if someone goes to Target as frequently as I do!

    Thanks Me Ra for sharing Carey! =)

  2. Melisa says:

    Carey is an amazing photographer! MeRa thanks for showing us a little more about Carey.

  3. michelle s. says:

    Hey Mera!! Carey is how I found YOU. Before I decided to pursue photography, I was totally freaking out trying to figure out what to wear to our family photo session. I started searching online for ideas and found this really cool blog called Barefoot Memories. I stopped looking at the outfits and started reading. She mentioned this lady from Seattle. So I followed the link to this ME-RA’s blog. And I fell in love with photography… ordered your dvd’s and have stalked both your blogs since then. 😉

    I’m so glad you interviewed her. What a perfect day for me. Two of my favorites on one blog!! Yay!! Thanks to you both for the COUNTLESS HOURS of inspiration!!

  4. shawna says:

    Carey’s definitely awesome. I love her comment on how she got into professional photography, since that’s where I’m at right now. It’s crazy to think that something I love could help support our family someday. I hope I can make the leap as successfully as she did, she’s such an inspiration!

  5. Me Ra Koh says:

    Carey is fantastic! I’m glad your liking her interview! Be sure to check her myriad of links! This girl has so much great stuff going on! (love you Carey!)

  6. Jennifer says:

    Thanks, Carey, for being such a great example of being a great mom AND businesswoman. And also for admitting to still getting nervous. What a relief that is to hear! I was just writing about how I have a small panic attack AFTER every shoot! I’m having fun, everyone’s all smiles, then I get in my car and freak out! Am I the only one? Me Ra and Carey you’re both such inspirations.

  7. Lora Ayers says:

    Carey thanks so much for sharing. You are inspiring! Don’t worry I was mushy enough in my interview for all of us!! 🙂 I enjoyed your sense of humor! I love your photography and your blog! 🙂

  8. Marcia says:

    Carey thank you for being you. Everyone that featured photographer provides me another shot of courage to be a better mom and photographer. However, Me Ra’s description of you is pretty much how I feel about myself and my up and coming photography business. Our stories are quite similar and I can’t wait to see where I am in 7 years with the guidance and encouragement I find here.

  9. Amanda says:

    Thank you Me Ra for sharing Carey’s story! Carey your work is gorgeous! Congratulations on so many wonderful things happening in your life…if I could I would be there with you in Central Park next week!!! I live close enough!!!

  10. Colleen says:

    Carey is one of the photographers that I sit up late at night and look at her pictures and do the “I Suck-its”…I totally agree….she’s phenomenal!!! thanks for sharing!!!

  11. Elizabeth says:

    Go back up to the comment from Michelle S. (the third one) and you’ll see that this is a triple treat for me today!

    I first heard of Carey when my friend in real life, Danielle (www.extraordinarymommy.com) showed me photos of her family that Carey took when they were back home in San Diego.

    Then I found Michelle S. through a local photographer’s blog (freshartphotography.com) and have fallen in love with her.

    I won a contest Michelle had on depth of field, and got my first taste of Me Ra Koh magic – the prize was a Me Ra DVD.

    So, now, with the comment above, I have three amazing photographers coming together on the SAME post. It is a small world, and there is such talent just in this one place!

  12. michelle s. says:

    Awww! I love you Elizabeth! (((hugs)))

  13. Carey says:

    Thanks so much everyone! You’re making me blush! I’m sitting here reading all of your comments in my kids’ homework room, typing this on my little netbook while Rory writes her spelling list & Mat works on his book report, and I’ve got Rory’s Halloween costume hat (looks like a pink shower cap) on my head (just because I’m a dork). It’s so awesome to know that there are so many awesome moms out there with similar journeys!

  14. Leslie W. says:

    Carey’s attitude is like a breath of fresh air! I’ve drooled over that unbelievable soccer picture since Me Ra initally posted it. So cool!!! Thanks for sharing your insight Carey!

  15. Carey, You are amazing! I love your images and would LOVE to hear some tips as to how you acheive those amazing beach photos! Thanks so much!
    Sara

  16. Dana says:

    She is an Amazing Mom! The title fits perfectly!

  17. Jen Sulak says:

    HAHAHAHAHAH i’m taking #8 for sure.
    i hate isuck-itis! hhahaahah

  18. Eleni says:

    Hello,

    I was wondering if Carey can share with us her settings and the lens she used to shoot the cool picture of her son kicking the soccerball?
    Thank you so much, Eleni

  19. denise karis says:

    ohgod, thanks for sharing carrie – im totally subscribed to the blog – i love it – and WORD to your number 2 answer – i think the person in front of me is hands down the most solid inspiration – thank you!

  20. […] up tomorrow? I’ve got a new Amazing Mom Feature to post. Your going to LOVE the transparency of this mom and be completely […]

  21. […] an AMAZING everything – mom, photographer, friend. You can read more about her from her interview a few months ago. Thank you Carey so much for stepping in with some on-the-spot […]

  22. anyone suffering panic attacks should try 5-htp and Tryptophan supplements, they may help a bit”.-

  23. i have panic attacks and my doctor reccomends relaxation exercise.~;

  24. my doctor recommends relaxation exercises do help my panic attack “”

  25. You have excellent website. I maintain a website that can teach you everything you need to know about yeast infection and pregnancy. This might be a good fit for your website content.

  26. Web Design says:

    Awesome article but no joke the sheer amount of adesense ads really make the readers experience much less.

  27. Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and everything. But just imagine if you added some great visuals or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this site could certainly be one of the most beneficial in its field. Fantastic blog!

  28. Billiard says:

    fabuloso atramos de onocos y sinjexa con dicavul porfitiza. ramos a osforal y ensumemor nciasismo con tribos trargiza!

  29. BG mail says:

    Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your website is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and simply couldn’t come across. What a perfect website.

  30. Its such as you read my thoughts! You seem to grasp so much about this, such as you wrote the ebook in it or something. I believe that you simply could do with a few % to drive the message home a bit, however instead of that, that is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.

  31. I’ll right away seize your rss feed as I can not in finding your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly allow me understand so that I may subscribe. Thanks.

  32. I located your weblog website on google and check a couple of of your early posts. Proceed to sustain up the superb operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN Details Reader. In search of forward to reading extra from you later on!?You wouldn’t feel it but I’re wasted all day digging for some articles about this. You might be a lifesaver, it was an exceptional read and has helped me out to no finish. Cheers!

  33. Featuring an Amazing Mom! Meet San Diego, Portrait Photographer, Carey Schumacher of Barefoot Memories! Me Ra Koh Photography Blog I’m typically to blogging and i actually respect your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and keep checking for brand spanking new information. Regards, Indoor Furniture Manufacturers

  34. Can I give you an opinion? Do you think you could add a couple more in the way of content in this article? I think youve got some fascinating points, but I am just not sold. Maybe you could add a couple more links to your site.

  35. Elisha Lenzo says:

    I was reading some of your articles on this internet site and I conceive this website is rattling instructive! Keep putting up.