Our goal is to celebrate the passions and achievements of women every day of the year, but on March 8th, the world community comes together to recognize all the incredible women everywhere working, fighting, hustling, striving for equality and equity.

And so we happily celebrate the 110th International Women’s Day with the rest of the world and start by honoring the amazing, talented, and brave women photographers in our very own Shoot My Travel community.

We asked the following questions to a group of these women, from Panama Beach City to Rio de Janeiro to Dubai, and share their responses with you here.

♀️What do you love about being a woman? And a woman photographer?

♀️How does photography empower women? 

♀️Who are the women who have most influenced you in your life? Why? 

♀️What message do you want to share with women in the world? 

♀️How will you mark International Women's Day?

Ana Carolina in Rio de Janeiro

Once I became a mom I started to truly value the power of being a woman: carrying a child and being able to give a human being life. This is the most amazing thing Mother Nature could ever give us. And as for being a woman photographer, I try to bring a sensitive touch to my photography, especially when it comes to couples and families with kids. I think being a woman makes me relate more to the sensitive side of the job. 

Photography empowers women by letting us feel its power when we put ourselves into a scene, a moment, a memory that will last forever in someone’s life because we make those special moments become history.

The women in my family are definitely the strongest people I know, even though they don’t really believe that about themselves. My great-grandmother showed me how to be strong, to be who I am, and to believe I’m capable of doing anything and everything. My grandmother supported me with my studies. And my mom showed me the way to go through life, different than hers, but with love and courage along the way. 

The message I would share with women is to be yourself, no matter what. Be whatever you want to be. You are capable of doing anything and everything you want. 

This International Women’s Day, I’ll be toasting myself with a good glass of wine. Cheers!

Fernanda in Paris

Being a woman means we are one. Or a huge “WE,” if you prefer. It is being part of a global family of individuals that have the same goals: respect, recognition, equality, freedom… In this group, no matter who you are or where you come from, you will find an understanding smile, open arms ready to embrace and support you, and attentive ears. We, women, have this talent of getting together no matter our differences. Because we have a common story, an experience to share, something that creates connection. 

Being a woman photographer is the cherry on the cake. It’s like being the eyes of this huge sisterhood I just described. Someone authorized to see, register, and witness it closely. 

And by registering, witnessing, listening, sharing our stories and interpretations of the world from our points of view, as women, we transform single stories into multiple stories and reduce the impact of stereotypes and prejudices.

The women of my family are my first heroes. But my friends also have a big role in my life. They are my examples of beauty, talent, intelligence, perseverance. Then, of course, there is Simone de Beauvoir!

On this March 8th, I will probably do what I try to do every day: embrace feminism, deconstruct the prejudices in myself and the ones surrounding me, and fight against Patriarchy!

Samantha in Florence

I’ve never felt special just because I’m a woman. I live focused on what I want to do in terms of what makes me feel good and what interests me, never thinking in terms of gender.

I remember having various role models through the course of my life, according to the particular moment I was living, but among these the figure that most influenced me was that of the American photographer, Vivian Maier. She was an artist who infused her feminine condition into her work more than others I’ve seen and whom I felt close to because, like her, I too started as a babysitter and by taking photos of the children I looked after.

The message I would like to share with other women in the world is: do what makes you feel good and “Carpe diem,” because life is short and there is so much to do! I think this is the most useful way to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Barbara in Dubai

Photography empowers me as a woman as it gives me a tool to be independent, gives me something of my own, something to put my ideas and sensibility into and share with the world.

Family is the most important thing for me, so it’s natural that my mom and my sister were always the two women who most influenced my life. They are both strong, positive, caring, intelligent, honest, and have always inspired me deeply.

On this International Women’s Day I would like to tell all the women in the world to believe in themselves, in their strength, and to always look towards and fight for their dreams.

Tess in New York

There are lots of things which I love about being a woman, but probably the most is the ability to create a new, human life in our body and bring it into the world. That feels special and it’s both an honor and big responsibility to have this ability; a mixed feeling, but the brightest feeling that I feel and love about being a woman.

Being a woman photographer I feel privileged, especially photographing other women because I understand very well what a woman wants to light up and show through the photography, and what she wants to hide. Only another woman understands that. And in certain religions, it’s not allowed for men to photograph women, so I’m honored I can.

It is important for every single woman in the world to experience at least one photoshoot. Photoshoots give you an idea about yourself. You can see yourself from another side, from another point of view, how other people see you. What you see in the mirror is absolutely different than how people see you in real life. And an experienced photographer can show who you are, your beauty, and your weaknesses. 

The woman who has influenced me most is my mom because she was the first person I saw, who gave me her love and her wise thoughts. She taught me how to survive in this world.

My message to women in the world is: be a queen. Not by thinking you’re more special or entitled, but by being respectful and respected, being wise and forgiving.

Beks in Paris

I love being a woman because we are strong, courageous, and hardworking. Being a woman photographer is quite special because we understand how women suffer and how they have to deal with discrimination, objectification, sexualization, and false representation. I think we have a different understanding and perspective when photographing another woman.

Photography can be a positive mirror, not only for the physical but also for women’s personalities and social behaviors.

It would be too hard to pick all the women who have influenced me but the message I would share with women in the world is: Don't be afraid! Be brave! Be you!

How will I mark International Women’s Day? Probably doing a self-portrait!

Shanna in Panama Beach City

I love that as a woman I get to bring the feminine and soft pieces of me into my personal and business life while also cultivating my bold, strong, and adventurous parts. And as a photographer, I think I bring this out in my clients too, show their vulnerability and then show their strength too.

Photography helps empower women in such an impactful way when we allow ourselves to really be seen in a different way when we feel comfortable with that photographer.  And the parts we tend to hide and shy away from are then shown and in doing so it brings out that light in us.

The number one woman who’s influenced me in my life is my mom. She’s taught me through the confidence of her actions, her kindness, her empathy, her vulnerability, and her acceptance of people and of herself. She’s taught me about this amazing quiet strength that all women have, a capacity to find the light that’s within us and to shine. I really want to encourage women to find their passions because we all have them.

I will be celebrating women today by photographing them, sharing their businesses and their passions, and also by reaching out to the women I love to let them know I appreciate them.

Honor the women in your life this International Women’s Day by treating them to one of our Gift Cards and an empowering photoshoot. 

If you’re a woman, celebrate yourself by booking a personal photoshoot with one of our amazing women photographers who will help your light and passions shine!
And if you want to hear more from international women on this International Women’s Day, read the personal interview with our very own CEO and co-founder, Valerie Lopez.