Mompreneur: Child Photographer Nancy Alcott

Child photographer Nancy Alcott didn't start out taking pictures of children, but discovered that is was her true love after giving birth to her daughter. Now, she's an award winning photographer recording memories for families throughout Marin and the Bay Area. We asked Nancy a few questions about her and her work. Learn more about her and see more of her photos at www.nancyalcott.com.

Please tell us about you and your background.

I am a mother of two amazing children, Amstel, 4 and Zealand, 2, and we live in Mill Valley. I am originally from Michigan, but have made California my home for nearly eight years now.

How did you get started with photography?

I fell into photography quite by accident nearly four years ago, beginning as a travel photographer. Upon giving birth to my daughter, I realized my true love was photographing babies and children, and my calling was found.

What do you like best about photographing families and children?

I love children and their youthful attack on the world. I consider it an honor to be welcomed into a family's home, to get to know them individually and as a whole. I'm often greeted for the first time with a hug rather than a handshake, because I take the time to talk with my new clients on the phone first, allowing them to get to know me, and me them.

What inspires you and your work?

Creativity and beauty inspires my newborn work, and capturing the core essence of a child inspires the rest.

What are some of your favorite places to take photos?

I adore photographing inside the home, to capture a little bit of their childhood sanctuary to forever cement it in a photo, but there's nothing like a baby nestled in the middle of a forest, a toddler running through fields in Napa, a pair of siblings walking hand in hand on the beach... There is beauty to be found anywhere, you just need to have the eye to find it.

What do you like best about living and working in Marin?

The weather is amazing in Marin, as is the natural beauty around. There is a never ending supply of parks for my kids to explore!

What do you and your family do for fun in the Bay Area?

We love taking the kids to the beach where they can get lost exploring for hours and hours, taking a ferry ride to the city for farmers market, and eating ice cream pretty much anywhere.