Today we’d like to introduce you to Urooj Alam.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Before discovering my passion for photography, I was a 4th-grade teacher for about five years. I loved my students and seeing them grow over the years despite the immense challenges educators face every day. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else since teaching was a life-long dream. Then when my son, my second child, was born in 2015, my husband at the time and I decided I’d stay home to raise the kids. Without a job and an income, with poor boundaries within my marriage, and the lack of self-care, my self-esteem took a nosedive.
I felt trapped and useless like I had no purpose. Being a mom is amazing, fulfilling, challenging, and an incredible gift. Sadly because of the condition of the toxic marriage and its effect on my mental health, I felt little joy and happiness in anything I did. I felt like a robot just going through the motions. In an attempt to fill the void, I tried some small hobby-type projects. I wrote, illustrated, and self-published a children’s book called How Will You Leave the World Better Than You Found It?
I tried selling paintings on Etsy and also applied for preschool teaching positions. Other than the book, none of it fit or felt right. Then one day, I decided to ask my then-husband if he wouldn’t mind watching the kids some time so I could go out and take pictures… He agreed.
I created a post on a Facebook garage sale group, wondering if anyone would be interested in having their pictures taken by a nobody with no professional experience. Much to my surprise, people were in fact, interested. I didn’t reveal that I was simply using my six-year-old Canon Rebel T1i and a $50 lens to take their pictures. I had learned the basics of shooting in manual mode, and I’d practiced photography with my own kids. I always enjoyed artistic pursuits and projects, so the idea of getting paid for doing something creative, even just $20, had a lot of appeal. “Worth a shot!” I remember thinking.
I was overwhelmed by how many people were interested in getting their pictures taken. One person that contacted me still stands out to this day- a mom with a terminal illness wanting pictures with her daughter. Despite some trial and error and my lack of experience, I captured plenty of special portraits of the mom and her daughter together. That was such a special session for me, and it truly helped me realize for the first time, early on in my journey, the impact that my photography can have on people’s lives.
With those early portrait sessions, I started to feel something inside me come alive. My heart started to race with the distant yet familiar feeling of excitement… Joy. Happiness. Photography started removing the years of “dirt” under which I had been buried. I finally found something that just clicked for me. I felt my confidence returning, and along with it, my self-worth and a modest income.
My clients loved their photographs and told their friends and families. My then husband saw the potential for income and encouraged me to purchase “the best” camera out there, so I did. With the earnings from photography, I was able to pay off the costs of more and more gear and equipment, and even my photography education. As my business grew, however, my marriage fell apart. After the divorce, I felt that I was finally free to be myself again. With a sense of purpose and a source of income to support myself, I realized I felt true joy for the first time with my own children.
When I see the same babies over the years become big brother or big sister… when the families I see feel like that friend you can go without seeing for months or even years then pick up right where you left off… when my clients care about me as much as I care about them… when I feel true fulfillment and satisfaction from the work I do, which in turn leads to being present with my own kids… That’s how I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to be doing…
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Everyone has struggles. My biggest challenge to overcome was fear. Fear of failure and fear of the unknown. Even now I worry in the back of my mind that the rug will get pulled out from underneath me. Early on, I had very little self-esteem and so I struggled to value myself and my work.
I had helped my parents run retail businesses in the past, so I had some ideas on how things work, but I absolutely hated the dry side of self-employment. Accounting? BLEH! Keeping track of expenses, miles, insurance, and filing taxes… all of those are relatively boring but must be done.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in the art of portrait photography. My most popular are the newborn and cake smash sessions, followed by families and seniors! So many clients first come to me for their newborn’s portraits, and I love seeing them return over the years with their baby turning six months, one year, then getting promoted to big brother or big sister status! Watching my clients’ families grow is truly rewarding.
Plano Moms has featured me twice in their lists for best or most recommended photographers, with the most recent one being “Best Newborn Photographers Around Plano.” It was such a pleasant surprise and an honor to be recognized for my newborn photography! I’m also very proud of the very diverse clients I photograph. I’ve had folks tell me they chose me specifically because of the diversity in my portfolio. That’s a huge compliment!
What matters most to you? Why?
If I had to narrow down what matters most to one word, it would be “Family.” I know that might sound cliche, but photography allows me to meet so many wonderful families and provide for my own. I treat my clients and their families the way I would want myself and my own family to be treated. My clients are some of the most kind-hearted, loving, and sweet people I’ve met! They value family, authenticity, embrace the chaos of everyday life, and trust me to capture all the love and craziness without obsessing over “perfection.” Your family is perfect just as it is- toddlers running and screaming as you chase after them, teenagers cringing at being kissed by their parents (I love those pictures), the truest unfiltered laughter you share, along with the best, snuggly hugs… all captured for posterity.
I have no pictures with my own grandparents, let alone multiple generations together, so multi-generational family portraits are especially dear to my heart.
Contact Info:
- Email: urooj@uroojphotography.com
- Website: www.uroojphotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/uroojphoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/uroojphoto
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTgqE-GBdOk-Ck6pLL_WU5w
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/urooj-photography-frisco
Image Credits
Urooj Photography
