From passion to photographer: How the dream of Momint Fotografie came true

From Passion to Full-Time Photographer

Hilde from Momint Fotografie discovered her love for photography after the birth of her first daughter. “I had owned a camera for years, but it mostly stayed in the closet,” Hilde shares. When she started capturing moments of her daughter, her passion quickly grew. Soon, she also began photographing children around her, and things started to take off. This was the beginning of her photography career. “I took a leap of faith and started an Instagram account,” says Hilde. Now, more than four years later, she has been able to quit her job and do what she loves most: creating beautiful images!

The Magic of Newborn Photography

Hilde photographs pregnancies, newborns, families, portraits, and weddings. She loves the variety, but her heart belongs to the tiniest subjects. “Those first weeks with a newborn are so special,” she says. “I know from experience how that period feels, and I love being a small part of it.” The purity of these moments and the intimate bond between parents and their child(ren) make newborn photography extra special for Hilde.

The distinctive style of Momint Fotografie is warm, light, and pure. From the very beginning, warmth felt like an essential part of her editing process. However, Hilde remains critical and continues to take workshops regularly to further develop her style and knowledge.

To stay fresh and innovative, Hilde is always looking for inspiration. “I try to see things differently on purpose so that I don’t work on autopilot. Sometimes I dive into Pinterest, experiment with lighting, or simply try something new.”

Big steps for Momint Fotografie

One of Hilde’s biggest milestones was photographing weddings. “Last year was my first full wedding season, and this year my schedule filled up quickly again!” However, the moment she quit her job might be her greatest achievement. “I dreamed of becoming a full-time photographer, but I never dared to hope it would happen this fast. The fact that I made this a reality makes me incredibly proud!”

Work-life balance

One of the biggest challenges in her career was finding a good work-life balance. “With a family, a 24 hour per week job, and an average of three shoots per week, it became too much.” The decision to quit her job gave her the peace and freedom to fully enjoy both her work and family again. “Now my schedule is well organized, and everything feels in balance.”

Tips for beginner photographers from Momint Fotografie

Hilde advises aspiring photographers to stay true to themselves. “Don’t let others make you feel insecure. Of course, there are many photographers, but don’t see them as competition.” She also struggled with insecurities in the beginning. “I saw others with more shoots or a better edit and sometimes felt inadequate. But investing in yourself is the key to growth and overcoming self-doubt. Take a course if you’re unsure about your editing or do portfolio shoots to discover what truly suits you and which clients you want to attract.”

Many of Hilde’s clients come through Instagram and word of mouth. “I live in Leeuwarden (small city in the Netherlands) and notice that a lot of new inquiries come in because people see my photos through friends. They get inspired, and then I receive a new booking!” Social media plays a major role in this for Momint Fotografie.

Efficient workflow of Momint Fotografie with Shootstack

Hilde switched from Pixieset to Shootstack last year. She quickly got used to Shootstack and is now very happy with her workflow. “I create a collection for my photoshoot with a watermark gallery, where clients can choose their favorite images. I edit the selected photos in Lightroom, remove the watermark gallery, and deliver the final images without a watermark,” says Hilde. “My clients can download their photos directly, and I never get questions about the process because it always works perfectly!”

Future plans and dreams for Momint Fotografie

Hilde continues to challenge herself and take on new projects. Her ultimate dream is to capture a wedding abroad. “That would be truly amazing!”

Additionally, Hilde organized a styled shoot last year with four photographers, models, and accessories, which she thoroughly enjoyed. The only thing she missed was the one-on-one contact. This year, she is organizing a ‘Work with Me’ session for other photographers. “I will create a beautiful setting with a newborn baby and parents, and we will photograph together. All questions are welcome, and I will also include a bit of editing in the session,” Hilde explains enthusiastically.