-AInvest in training. I don't only mean technical training to level up product photography skills which is also important but also in yourself-Meditate, Be inspired, Read, Read and Read more.

Only in this way you will be connected with your mind and soul , they both will be aligned and you will be certain about which path you must follow.

For improving technically in product photography, I did many, quite a lot courses actually in Domestika: one of the best is the one from Weekend creative and the best I have done is from Amanda Campeau " Become a brand photographer" -Amanda is absolutely amazing and by accessing to her course you belong to a community where you raise question and build connections.

If I have to recommend a book-" A New Earth: Awakening to your life's purpose from Eckhart Tolle" is the book to have on your stand night and you always have to keep reading, it is the bible for me! And I would also add "how to Ikigai" to find your life purpose.

Would love to hear if you have read them or what your recommendations are.

I will never forget the first time I applied for a product photography assignment in The Netherlands-it was for an automotive brand, they asked me for a product shooting of all her merchandising line. 

At that time I was not even working with proper lighting but here it comes when I decided to answer a post on a Facebook group which would connect me with the decision maker.

I got very anxious because I was only for few months in the product photography business but I decided to leave my comfort zone and make a proposal and a quote in which need to attach some examples of my previous experience. My previous experience was zero so I asked the person from the brand I was in contact with, to send me some items of her merchandising line so I could make a shooting and she could have an idea how I work...

You should have seen me shooting a sweater, a pen and flashlight the first time ever without continuous lighting or a strobe.... 

The big learning was: " Sometime you've got to leave your comfort zone and say yes to a project even if you are not 100% you can manage" you can see yourself immersed in your dream project, get connections or you could get some take aways like I did- I realised what I did not like when it comes to product photography.

For those who wonder, I did not get the assignment...:)

Some examples that I attach to the brand proposal

Some people may think how lucky I am and I guess they are right-I kind of pinch myself when I see how my life has become, it is a life that I have always dreamed of.  I wake up early morning for practicing yoga, I get breakfast and coffee with my husband and at 7:30 am we wake the girls up and get them ready for the school. At 9:00 am my dream job starts and every day is different: Reshooting, shooting or post production time or if I am in between projects I allocate time for inspiration, reading and creating more social media content....but in general I have a beautiful work-life balance!

But it does not mean I have achieved this life because I am lucky-all it is a about sacrifice and hard work so please do yourself a favour don't believe everything you see out there, you only see the iceberg edge but you are missing all that there is underneath.

Product photography implies a lot of creativity and not everyday you are or fell a much as creative you would like to be. It can be frustrated when you don't feel you can deliver what you agree to deliver. Product photography is to run your own business and that is always hard and even harder when you are also a mum and want to be excel in all your life aspects: Marriage, family, professional, social...

The picture below is me editing in a parking slot while my 2 years old daughter decided not to nap in the crib ever again.


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I have many pictures of my beauties girls, the loves of my life!-together with my husband of course..:), 

Probably the one I like most which is linked to the title of this post is a picture of both of them sneaking into my studio and making their own set.  I was working on a project for a thermo tea maker and they even suggested 'Mum, why you don't make a picture with my doll and this beautiful purple cardboard, because mum, he is going to love it!.'

My four years older is very creative, she loves painting and crafting and create things. I feel a bit responsible of having awakened her some curiosity for colours and creating things which makes me very happy! 

Kids have an enormous sense of creativity and I promised myself that I would exploit that in my kids doing everything I can from my side. I spend a lot of time painting and crafting with her and even from time to time we go up to my studio and I let her decide the sets and make some shootings together. She says that she would like to become product photographer! well together with a painter, cyclist, climber, unicorn, veterinarian,  and so on and on hahaha.

Decision was taken and it was time to start but how?
Right after investing in a camera equipment, I installed myself in the guess bedroom-after 10 years living abroad, guests are not eager to come that often, they are used to the fact that you are gone, that you are not in their lives.

So getting straight to the point, I was so excited and felt lucky to have a photography studio near to Amsterdam-the city of the design and creativity, without ruining myself paying a ridiculous monthly fee.

I kept a couch-bed in which papers, props , and all kind of stuff is lying on it. I kept a cabinet where I can use in the top to place more props and important items for the shooting: fishing line, flexible arms, blu tack, tape, scissors...

I also kept a couple of ikea tables and particle boards for creating the set and the background for the shooting and that was all- everything was ready to get it started. So no more excuses to yourself, you don't need a big budget to become a product photography. In another post, I will write and share some calculations of my initial investment in this business of product photography.

BEFORE: guest room and myself pregnant of my first child

AFTER: My photography studio in the attic of my house and with a beautiful light that day 

I gave birth to my second child, had a burn out working in the corporate, feeling completely lost and with no idea how to switch the direction of my life.

Fears, doubts, sleepless nights, difficult to think straight. However I needed to move, to try, try again, fail. I was doing what I was supposed to be doing but I did not become the woman I wanted to be.
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A new initiative was born called Catalinda, inspired by my two daughters. Oh my God, I had a strong desire to raise them, to take care of them, to be there for them but how to conserve a space outside the motherhood!

Catalinda was a jewellery and handbag brand and I had to do everything by myself- supplies, pricing, collection, networking, web design, content social media and who was going to tell me that I was close to find my passion.

A lot of struggles, difficult, money invested... all worthy in exchange of a complete new life. A new life full of possibilities, hope, creativity, development, own of my time, stress free...thanks to the product photography!

Product photography is a hobby, a business, a way of living, an expression of values and feelings, where your creativity can fly and you are the creator. Still life/commercial photography has awakened me and showed me that there is a place of each of us out there-you just need to be still and present to see it.

Using any time for shooting and practising. Myself here in my backyard while spending quality time with my family.

Product photography Amsterdam.