She used to be a Math teacher and now, Carey Schumacher works barefoot. The roar of the ocean and the giggles of her favorite families are the music she hears while working.

A few days a week, Carey hops in her car, heads to the beach, slips off her flip flops, slings a camera over her shoulder, digs her toes in the sand and aims for the perfect shot. You’d be hard pressed to find a family who didn’t think Carey’s photographic skill is close to flawless.

In 2002 Carey began her career as a photographer, launching Barefoot Memories. Right away, she started capturing families and children in beautiful pictures. What had been a favorite hobby soon became a full time passion. Many times, friends had offered to pay her for a family photo shoot, but it wasn’t until her husband was laid off that she seriously began to consider photography as a career.

But how does this Extraordinary mommy of two balance a thriving career (and by thriving, I mean she is booked months in advance!) with her number one priority, her family? It starts with “House Rules’. These House Rules aren’t written down…but the whole family knows the Rules and they stick by them.

Rule number 1 for Mom: First thing in the morning: no computer, no emails, no voicemails….quite a task when she knows there are often 100+ emails waiting for her. Carey gets up and she works for her family…its breakfast, book bags and off to school. It’s only once this precious morning routine has taken place that Carey’s switches to work mode.

“I get to go to the beach for a few hours and then go home.” This is why Carey focuses on family and child portraits instead of the ever-popular wedding industry. It’s also how she has honed her craft to fit around her family. “I want clients who care about kids, not clients who will be mad about me going to a soccer game”. While a wedding requires a full day commitment on a weekend, Carey works for a few hours and then switches to her ‘Soccer Mom’ hat….a hat she proudly wears.

She shoots three days a week and does all of her print work when the kids are at school or sleeping (that’s rule number 2). When the kids are home, Carey is present for them. (Rule 3).

An organized home also helps….Carey has her computer set up on the main floor of the home, just outside the kitchen. This way, when the kids are engrossed in homework, she can steal away to answer a few emails. She refuses to be shut away in an office away from her family.

Humble and giving, Carey doesn’t always feel like a raging success. She figures most moms are like her….they work hard and have days where they just don’t want to do it. But, that’s why Carey is Extraordinary.

She is passionate about her family and her photography. So passionate, in fact, that she and a friend (photographer Me Ra Koh) have teamed up to help teach Mommys how to get the best pictures of their families. They will be holding a workshop in San Diego, California in May. Click here for details.

P.S. I have to admit...I am, personally, a big fan of Carey's. There are definitely a few pictures on this site that are hers.

Its easy to see why my family has used her to capture our favorite beach moments. And some of our best memories.

Thank you, Carey!

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