Parents with Passion Series--Turning a hobby into a career: Johnna's story

November 19, 2:21 PMSt. Louis Family & Parenting ExaminerAngela Atkinson

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Portrait of Johnna's daughter Jade Lynn / Image Credit: Johnna Bowker

Have you ever considered turning your hobby into your career?

That’s exactly what Bethalto mom, Johnna Bowker, recently did when she opened her own photography business, JB Photography.

Johnna told me that following the birth of her daughter in March of 2005, she found that she loved photography and took it up as a hobby. She said that when her son was born a little more than a year later, she grew frustrated by the costs at commercial portrait studios. Plus, she says, she was never satisfied with the quality of the photos she got at commercial studios.

She decided then to start taking their portraits herself. A little more than a year later, Johnna says she was able to buy her first professional camera and start her business. She says she’s thrilled with her new trade, since it allows her to follow her passion for photography while still taking care of her two children.

Johnna told me that owning her own business has been a blessing for her family.

“My husband is a full time college student, and my children are too young for preschool,” Johnna says. “Owning my business gives me the flexibility to make my own hours and be my own boss. I love the fact that I can have time with my children and provide for them at the same time.”

She says that owning her own business offers her much more flexibility than working for another company since it allows her to work around her kids’ schedules.

When asked what she’d tell other parents considering starting their own business, Johnna said, “If it is something you love to do and you can make money doing it, great! But remember that you must have business knowledge and know how. You can have a wonderful skill, but if you don't know the basics of business, your business may not survive.”

Since Johnna started out as a studio customer, she has very strong beliefs about customer service. “My goal in my company is to keep my prices affordable,” she says. “As a mother of two on a tight income, I know how hard it can be out there in this world.”

Johnna says all of her prices are based on “what you need, rather than what you don’t.”  And, she says, she will do whatever she can to work within your budget.