Today we’d like to introduce you to Alina Mohr.
Hi Alina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have loved photography since I was a kid. I remember getting my first camera when I was maybe 10 or 12 years old. It was a small film camera and I was very excited about it.
Since then, I kept photographing as a hobby, and I enjoyed capturing moments and documenting experiences. For me, it was a way of saving memories.
My journey was a little different. I’m was born in Romania and moved to the US I’m my late 20’s. In college, back in Romania, I studied economics, which was not really my interest. Immediately after I finished college, I started working in arts administration, which I was much more passionate about. I worked with amazing people and wonderful organizations, including audio visual and music events and a human rights documentary film festival. Looking back now, I realize they all have a visual component in some way.
I moved to the US in 2011. At first, I was in New York City, which I loved, then we moved to California, and since 2018 we call Oregon our home.
After having my first son in 2014, I really wanted to document him growing up, so I upgraded to a nicer camera, watched photography classes online, read articles about photography and I practiced a lot, photographing almost every day. I started getting compliments about my photos, though I did not plan on doing photography as a career, I was very focused on documenting my two little boys now growing up and capturing memories of our family.
When a mom asked on a local Facebook group if any hobby photographer would be interested on photographing her family for a quick photo shoot, I said yes. That is what I consider the beginning of my career in photography. At that time, I was still seeing it as a hobby.
My husband was very supportive of me and knowledgeable with the technical aspects, so over the next two years, I invested in professional equipment, did more online classes and photographed many families.
I was interested in doing more than family photography, so I’ve also done a few other projects like Uniquely Alike, where I interviewed and photographed immigrant women from my local community.
Another special project to me was documenting the first year of our elementary school after it was rebuilt. That one took a lot of work and a lot of learning new styles and techniques, which was a great growing experience.
I have also photographed a few events for Make-A-Wish Oregon, which felt very intense and rewarding at the same time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Blending and balancing my life as a mom, a part time office job and professional photography is my main challenge. Promoting myself is another one as it’s not something that comes naturally to me. Also, weather in Oregon can be pretty unpredictable, and I am generally doing outdoor, natural light photo shoots. Despite that, we make it work with the sun, clouds and even some rainy days.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Now I’m doing a variety of styles and subjects and offering services in different areas, from families, high school senior portraits, graduates, head shots and branding, to wedding and private and public events, and even some architecture. I’m loving photography more and more. I’ve also created valuable friendships through photo shoots, and I enjoy connecting with people and helping them feel comfortable and get the most out of their session.
I feel fortunate to be able to do something I love and tell stories. It’s also teaching me to observe more and pay attention to details and surroundings, while also capturing special moments that otherwise are often forgotten.
In some ways, photography helped me find a new purpose and identity for myself.
It’s also important to me to be able to offer a great experience to my clients, and to capture memories that will keep growing in value over time, memories and images that hopefully will bring joy for many years and be treasured by generations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alinamohr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alinamohr_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086188887482
