Each week A Bit on the Side features an inspirational women, who manages to juggle a ‘day job’ as well as A Bit on the Side. This week we’ve been talking to Ana from Ana Bohane Photography:
Tell us a bit about yourself
Hello I’m Ana, originally from Portugal. Moved to London when I was 21 pursuing an acting career. I moved to film production when I realised acting wasn’t for me and worked with some inspiring creative people. I was a career person and love it! Then I met my husband and my life turned upside down, for the better 🙂
I now have three boys in my life, two of them are little people aged four and two. I love simple things: walks by the sea, finding little treasures and going on adventures. When at home I listen to vinyls as my little ones play with Lego, we bake Portuguese custard tarts and dance barefoot in the garden.
Tell us about your day job and your bit on the side (and do you keep it a secret?!)
My day job, well I’m a full time mummy. Job description includes 24hrs hour shifts, no holidays or sick days 🙂 But I wouldn’t changed it for the world. My two gorgeous boys make me laugh and cry (sometimes at the same time). My bit on the side happens on the weekends, I leave the little bubbas with daddy and go off shooting gorgeous families throughout West Sussex and Surrey. I’m a candid family and event photographer, natural light and no set poses is my thing.
How did your bit on the side come about?
Photography has been an integral part of my life, well… forever, my mum was a medical photographer. She got me into taking pictures and capturing little moments but I didn’t pursue it as a profession until 2010. I started in fashion photography; catwalks and studio photography and then when my first child was born, I was no longer interested in clothes, instead i was captivated by this little being, so I grabbed the camera and started to capturing him as he is, naturally.
I was made redundant from my day job in 2016 just after my second child was born which was a bit of a shock but it pushed me to say ‘the time is NOW’. We moved to Worthing and I relaunched my business.
What’s the best part of having a bit on the side?
To me meeting new clients, getting to know them and capturing their special moment, is definitely the best part of my job. I feel very lucky to finally be doing a job that constantly inspires me.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
Moving to Worthing a year and a half ago, I had a client base in London where I stayed for 17 years. Starting again in a very different town wasn’t easy but I have met so many great people here that I have no regrets.
What’s your advice for others looking for a bit on the side?
‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’. You only live once. If you can take the leap and believe in it, then you can do it. Be prepared: do your market research, know yourself and what you have to offer that’s new and unique. Join groups on facebook, work on a website; Wix is free to get started on, learn as much as you can about social media. Be seen! Join instagram, twitter, facebook and more. Canva is a app that’s super for creating social media content.
What are your hopes for the next 12 months?
My eldest is starting school in September so in terms of family life it will be a huge change for him and me. In terms of work; keeping busy, meeting new people and getting more involved in our beautiful community. Continue to be seen and known for my candid friendly style.