Loss of a Legend

I roll my eyes at the term “Moms with a Camera” (aka MWAC). It sounds like a fairly harmless expression but, in case you’ve never heard of it, it is a term to describe the growing group of amateur DSLR-owning Moms who start part-time photography businesses, and can often undercut experienced or formally-trained pros, on account of their low overheads etc.

Whilst, to a large degree, I understand some of their frustrations (helped by way-too-frequent evidence from many that the camera does NOT make the photograph!), I have an interesting consideration for them, and one to encourage any good aspiring Photographer battling the prejudice as they start out – the late, great Eve Arnold,who passed away last week at the grand age of 99, was a suburban housewife when she first started her career!

Yup… that’s right, the inspirational pioneer who became the first female member of Magnum, the woman behind so many iconic and powerful images (varying from statements of social injustice to classic Hollywood royalty), the holder of many accolades including an OBE for services to Photography, the woman who broke the mould and defied prejudice was… once upon a time… a Mom with a Camera... in it's literal sense! Ironic.

Many a lesson can be learned from this legend - I just hope I can be a good student.