Check Out Molly Peters’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Peters.

Hi Molly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I fell in love with photography as a child. I began studying it officially as a freshman in high school and never stopped. For my undergraduate education, I double-majored, graduating from Bard College with a dual degree in photography & Italian studies in 2010. I spent years first in New York City, then in Los Angeles, working as a studio manager for prominent commercial and documentary photographers, where I was able to learn the business side of being a freelance photographer.

When I left my last full-time job for graduate school, I also transitioned into my own freelance career. I completed my master’s degree from Hartford Art School in 2018, and I have been working as a freelance photographer ever since. In the last few years, most of my work has been in the form of long-term documentary stories or personal art projects.

My recent work includes an ongoing documentary project with the Apache Stronghold and a personal project, “Landfall,” which was exhibited by the UCR California Museum of Photography. My photographs have been published by Bloomberg Businessweek, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, High Country News, HuffPost, the Apache Messenger, and others. A selection of images from these commissioned stories is shared here.

Community building is another important aspect of my work, as I spent six years on the board of ASMP Los Angeles, including four years as the chapter President, where we brought the LA photo community together through educational events, networking opportunities, and group exhibitions. I also spent nearly a decade running the operations of the Palm Springs Photo Festival’s portfolio review program.

After finishing graduate school, I taught as a professor of photography at Unity College and continue to mentor photographers with their photobook projects through the Image Threads mentorship program. I’m a member of Women Photograph and the Journal Collective. After relocating from Los Angeles to Tucson in 2022, I’ve been enjoying exploring Arizona further and am looking forward to developing new projects here!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As anyone navigating a freelance career knows, there are constant challenges, roadblocks, and curveballs thrown your way. Learning to get through the inevitable struggles is part of the process though, and the freedom afforded by controlling your own work and life path is priceless. I’ve found that dedication, determination, and persistence can get you through anything, particularly when you have others in the community to lean on for support and guidance.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My background is primarily in fine art photography, though I’ve mostly transitioned to long-form documentary storytelling and editorial assignments over the last four years. My personal projects focus on memory, spirituality, environmental conservation, and Indigenous rights.

I’ve also photographed stories recently specifically about the drought plaguing the southwest USA and the election season last fall in Arizona. In all my work, I aim to give agency to those I photograph so they have a say in how they are portrayed because it’s a huge responsibility to tell other people’s stories in a respectful, compelling, and accurate way.

I love exploring new stories photographically and welcome inquiries and assignments. Additionally, I’ve recently begun accepting creative consulting and mentorship clients. Photographers interested in one-time or ongoing personalized guidance with their work can learn more on my website.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love exploring the hiking trails in and around Tucson and going on road trips to explore the area.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mollypetersphoto.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/hazardpeters