Where In Windsor meets Photography by Abi Moore

Between running her own successful photography business and being a mum of two boys, Abi has a busy daily life these days. I caught up with her somewhere between a training course and bath time to see how she copes with her work/life balance and making #workthatworks

So, how long have you had a love for photography?


My Nana and Grandpa gave me a camera at Christmas when I was 8 and it started there. That was thirty years ago now.
I studied it at college and then as part of my degree, then I started my business seven years ago.

What inspired you to make a career from it?

When I was expecting my first son, nearly nine years ago, I took voluntary severence from a very demanding PR job for a major airline. When my son was born I found myself taking more and more photos and decided it was something I wanted to turn into a career. I went back to college as everything I'd learned was on film and in the dark room, so I had to learn to photograph professionally in the digital age.

How do you find running your own business fits in with family life?

It's been fantastic for me; as my own boss I have the freedom to work the hours that suit me, so I can work school hours and can easily take time off for assemblies, etc.
I also find summer is naturally a quieter time for me so I can work part time during the holidays.
It occasionally has its challenges, if I have a lot of work on I can have less time for family; I also tend to work weekends, but overall it gives me the flexibility to enjoy a career I love and spend time with my family.

What's been your most memorable photoshoot?

It's really hard to pick a specific photoshoot. I get to meet lots of different people in this career and I love that everyone has different experiences and ideas to share. 
I've photographed 5-day-old babies, weddings and 95th birthday celebrations so I get to see the span of life.
Specific memorable moments include a fancy dress wedding, a wedding with an ice theme and an owl, baby twins who'd been wished and hoped for for more than five years, and the entire clothing catalogue for a company from baby to 7 years across autumn and winter ranges.
I can't say this job doesn't keep me busy!

It all sounds amazing! Being a part of people's lives for just that short time, yet it'll be a lasting memory for them for years to come. 

It's very rewarding - I love that my work is still on people's walls seven years later and something they will always treasure.

Do you have any exciting plans in the pipeline that you can share with us?

My business has been full-time for the last year or so, and I'm aiming to continue and grow on that success. I've recently completed training in more advanced skills for photographing newborns so I'm looking forward to photographing more babies. I'm also aiming to complete the next level of my qualification with my professional body, The Guild of Photographers, in the next year. I see photography as a continuous process of learning and improving my skills and my customers benefit from that.


Have you got a top camera phone tip that we can all use?

Think about changing the angle you're photographing from to give your photos more interest.
Particularly when photographing children, get down to their level rather than photographing from adult height.

Lastly, if there is a mum out there reading this who would love to start her own business, what advice would you give her?

Do it! It's great to have the flexibility of managing a business around a family.
But think carefully and do something you have a passion for, as it can be a juggle and can sometimes take your time away from family, so you need to love it!

You can find out more about Abi and contact her through her website or her facebook page.

(Also, if you're interested in learning more about flexible hours and finding work that works for family life search #workthatworks or #flexappeal on Instagram and Twitter!)