THE PREGNANCY...I'VE HAD THE EXPERIENCE TWICE IN MY LIFE.  BECOMING A MOTHER IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM IS A LIFE CHANGING EVENT.  IF YOU GET TO EXPERIENCE THE GIFT OF GROWING A BABY IN YOUR WOMB, IT'S SOMETHING PRECIOUS THAT NOT EVERYONE GETS TO EXPERIENCE THIS PART OF LIFE.  IT MAY NOT FEEL LIKE A GIFT EVERY DAY WITH THE SICKNESS IN THE BEGINNING, GROWING EACH DAY AND BY THE END PROBABLY HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING, HOWEVER, BRINGING A LIFE INTO THIS WORLD IS A BIG DEAL...YOU'RE MAKING A BRAND NEW PERSON...IT'S A CELEBRATION OF A NEW LIFE.  HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CELEBRATE?  PORTRAITS ARE A GREAT WAY TO CAPTURE THIS TEMPORARY TIME IN YOUR LIFE.  IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, EVEN IF YOU'RE PREGNANT SEVERAL TIMES, THAT BABY BELLY IS ONLY TEMPORARY.  IT'S A PART OF YOUR LIFE, IT BECOMES YOUR LIFE AND ONCE THE BABY IS HERE, THE BUMP STARTS TO GO AWAY AS IT'S ONLY THERE IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF YOUR MOTHERHOOD JOURNEY.  

I WENT TO SCHOOL FOR BIOLOGY (YEP, NOT FOR PHOTOGRAPHY), THE STUDY OF LIFE HAS ALWAYS FASCINATED ME SO PERHAPS IT'S PART OF THE REASON I'M IN AWE OF PREGNANCY.  I'M GRATEFUL THAT I GET TO CAPTURE THIS TIME IN A WOMAN'S LIFE; IN HER FAMILY'S LIFE.  THE PHOTOS FREEZE A MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE'S HISTORY AND YOU CAN LOOK AT THEM AND REMINISCE...

SO WHEN IS A GOOD TIME DURING THE PREGNANCY TO CAPTURE THESE PHOTOS?  MY FEELING IS ANY DAY AND EVERY DAY IS A GOOD DAY FOR PICTURES.  WELL, HOW IS MAMA LOOKING AND FEELING?  TRADITIONALLY, THE MATERNITY PORTRAITS ARE TAKEN DURING THE END OF THE SECOND TRIMESTER BECAUSE THE BABY BELLY IS SHOWING AND MOM STILL HAS SOME ENERGY.  ONCE THE PREGNANCY IS NEARING THE END OF THE THIRD TRIMESTER, MOM IS USUALLY TIRED, NOT SLEEPING WELL AND NOT FEELING LIKE HERSELF, AFTER ALL, THAT BABY IS ALMOST FULLY GROWN, SO DURING SECOND TRIMESTER IS IDEAL. 
WHEN TO SCHEDULE THE PHOTOS?  THE MORE ADVANCED NOTICE YOU GIVE TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER, THE BETTER THE PLANNING; YOU CAN DISCUSS IDEAS YOU HAVE, ORDER OUTFITS,  HAVE THE HAIR, MAKEUP NAILS DONE, ETC.  ALL OF THIS TAKES PLANNING; ALOT OF THOUGHT, PREPARATION AND EFFORT GOES INTO THE "BTS" BEHIND THE SCENES TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS HAPPEN ALTHOUGH IT DOESN'T ALWAYS GET TO BE PLANNED, SPONTANEOUS CAN WORK OUT SOMETIMES, TOO, HOWEVER "THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR PLANNING AHEAD".
EITHER WAY, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, ANY DAY IS A GOOD DAY FOR PHOTOS...OKAY YES, THERE MAY BE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS, BUT I'M SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE SENTIMENT.   
IF YOU'RE ON THE FENCE ABOUT PHOTOS, ASK QUESTIONS, CALL A FEW PLACES, HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT....I LOVE WHAT I DO...I CAPTURE THESE SPECIAL MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE....AND ONCE THEY'RE TAKEN....THESE BRIEF MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE BECOME YOUR HISTORY....ONCE THEY'RE TAKEN...THEY'RE FOREVER PART OF YOUR MEMORIES THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH YOUR GROWING LITTLE ONES. 
ENJOY YOUR PREGNANCY! CELEBRATE IT!  DOCUMENT IT!  
XOXO  
​ 

As a business owner of a small photography studio, I am grateful to say that I love my job.  I love meeting new clients, hearing their stories, getting to photograph them and their families.  I love when I get to be creative and curate unique sessions for my clients and I hope I get to do what I do for a very long time.  I also wish I had more time to dedicate to my business, but as a mom, its a challenge.

I know there are plenty of working moms, whether you have a boss or are the boss, it all comes with its unique challenges and having to work around every unique individual and their needs in your household is sometimes an extra hurdle to climb.

As a small business owner, for me, right now, mid August to mid September is a transition month for my family, moving into our next year of school, doctor appointments, shopping for clothes and school supplies, getting their schedules, hair cuts, just to name a few things...This is the time of year I take a few weeks off to take care of all of this stuff, because, to be honest, most of it falls on me and not Daddy.  He's here, we're married, its just the kids get me for all of this with a little bit of help here and there, but if I'm being totally honest in this blog, it's overwhelming.  

This year especially.  With covid, it's just enhanced all of the challenges.  Challenges and issues I didn't even see coming our way.  I am struggling to hold onto my little business.  The business challenges are overwhelming, I feel like I keep using this word. Right now in the background of writing this, my dog is barking non stop and no one seems to be stopping him, in fact I think someone is making him bark; this is one of many distractions of working from home right now and not having the ability and freedom to visit the studio.  Time is another big challenge, in 20 minutes, I'm going on a bike ride with one of my kids, I love it, I want to do it, but there's just not enough time for everything.  

Another big challenge right now I'm seeing is competition from other photographers.  I don't follow other local photographers, I don't want to know what they're doing, however, I do come across social media posts once in a while that put them right in my view.  I am seeing one has basically taken verbatim from my website, some of her sessions are in the exact same spots and set ups as mine and of course she's cheaper.  Maybe we're just very similar in style, perhaps she has no idea who I am, but it's a blow.    I know a lot of these locals are wonderful, talented, don't have a studio so don't have the overhead I have and their husbands buy their cameras or the money for their props comes out of their family budget instead of their photography business budget because they're undercharging so they get business to build a portfolio, etc.  This is the shitty side of this business.  I hear 'there's room for all of us', however, I'm not sure there is....

Another hurdle I'm facing right now is trying to keep the business here in NJ, where the covid guidelines have been rough, afloat.  I'm grateful I had a client hire me to take lots of photos of food over the covid period, that really helped and got me through however, I needed a little more, so I advertised, and took on more clients this summer than usual.  The more time I spend on my business, the less time there has been with eyes on my kids and they've been starting to make some not so great choices.   

The kids are great; they do require alot of attention and guidance because, well, they're kids and with peer pressure and social media playing a big role in their lives right now, It really causes alot of stress on the Mom.  I get the tears, the screams, the tantrums, the blame, the crap....it's all coming my way right now; it's been one of those times that you re think EVERYTHING you're doing in life.  

Perhaps I should close down the studio to focus more on the kids?  Maybe i should move the studio home so i don't have so much overhead, but where I'll have my dog barking incessently and kids moving all of my props and stuff?  No thanks, Do i just go to people's houses and take photos?  Then I' on the road for a long time, should I get a better SUV?  How long will I be traveling? Will I hit traffic?  There are just so many variables.  I like my little spot, I love what I do, but It just doesn't seem to be working for my family right now.  

Do I give it more time while I'm figuring things out for my kids?  Their next steps to making better choices?  What type of help do I need to help them?  Its just hard sometimes trying to be everything.  Do I really think I can have everything I want?  A successful business, great kids, a great marriage and friends and family to share it all with?  It's a struggle and right now, i'm not winning the struggle.  

Dolly Parton has a saying that I use as one of my mantras, "The way I see it, you have to put up with a lot of rain to get to that rainbow" .  Thanks, Dolly.  I'm in a storm right now, but praying it gets better SOON for my kids and my business.   

I was trying to attach some black and white photos to this blog and perhaps I'll go back later and try again, but for some reason I can't get them to add into here and my son is waiting for me to go on our bike ride.  

Last note, should I keep blogging on my business page about business struggles/ business owner mom struggles?  I'm not sure anyone will want to hear my whining, lol... But I just needed to get this off my chest and be real.  

Please feel free to send some prayers or positive vibes for my kids and I right now, they'll need it going into this new school year and I'll need it to get them through it, while trying to hold onto my little business.  

Thanks for reading.
xo
: D

MENTION THIS BLOG AND I'LL TAKE $50 OFF YOUR MINI SESSION IN 2020! 
Christmas Tree Farm Minis are now available for October 17 & 18th.  In typical 2020 fashion, social distancing requirements will apply.  I look forward to these mini sessions every year; as I get to see a lot of returning families.  Honestly, the word 'client' is so formal, so I like calling them families instead and I'm also lucky enough to call many of them friends.  

Also in 2020 Fashion, as small businesses have been closed for a while, I had an idea to put $25 of your session toward a small business of your choice; whether it be a favorite restaurant, or somewhere the parents or the kids like to go, such as The Little Gym or Circle Bowl and Entertainment, you will receive a gift card for a business after your photo session.

So, really, a $50 off little gift from me and a $25 gift card to a local business, plus a $25 print credit if you purchase your prints or Holiday cards through Millie Dee Photography.  All of this plus your 10 digitals for $250.  

This is the little red truck (seen in one of the photos above) will be at the Newton Tree Farm, too. Please feel free to call me 973.805.FOTO to book your session. 

I will also have indoor mini session information to blog about soon, however, for now, you can find the information on my facebook page:  MillieDee Photography and my Instagram: millie_dee_photo.  Please follow me for the latest studio info.  

I hope to see you this season!
Denise
: D

If you're on my email list, you'd received Millie Dee Photography's "Christmas in July" promotion first.  If you're not on the email list, here it is...all of the information you need for Holiday photos that are being offered in 2020. 

Last year, we had a great time at Waterloo Village, I got a permit to photograph there all day and we got there and a ton of photographers were there, none of which had a permit to shoot there, which is their business not mine, however, just an FYI, I'm happy to be legit and very happy to pay a few bucks to support our local historical landmarks, so just so you know, if you book with me, I will always get permission to shoot at my locations, if I can't I won't shoot there... (this is a live and learn lesson for another blog post, yes, my nieces and I were almost arrested for unintentionally trespassing when they were little to take some photos, and never want to be in that situation again..anyway, I digress, let's move on to what is being offered Right Now...Fall and Winter of 2020 for Family, Seasonal, Holiday &  Christmas Photos.

There is one weekend per month, starting in October.  October is the only month we're scheduled to be outside currently at St. Paul's Abby Tree Farm in Newton, NJ.  I'm so grateful to have gotten permission to use this location; which is so easy to get to, its right on Route 206, which is the main road toward Newton.   It's also a peak foliage weekend, however, it doesn't matter when you're amongst evergreens.  I love October photos because the air is usually crisp but   warm enough for outdoor photos and keeping the kiddos comfy, so if you'd like some outdoor family photos for your Holiday cards this year, this is where Millie Dee will be and yes, I'm bringing the red truck.  That red truck has a little bit of a funny backstory that I'll save for another blog post, right now I just wanted to get the information to the public about the Holiday Minis.  

The second date is early November, and WE HAVE THE BIG GUY, YES SANTA, COMING TO MILLIE DEE PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO 185 ROUTE 206 FLANDERS, NJ THIS YEAR.   Santa and I have been conversing back and forth about the most up to date Covid guidelines and are using all types of precautions to keep Santa and all of the families we serve safe.  I'll be outlining the guidelines in early September.  As a mom, I'm just waiting for "school" to begin so I can have a couple of hours to speak with my attorney about what is suggested for guidelines; so yes, we have me, Santa and an attorney working on guidelines and I may even get a nurse involved to answer some of my questions, too.  (little tidbit about me, my background is in Biology, i've studied and worked with many a germ in my lifetime).

The third date is early December, currently in the studio.  I have been working with a balloon artist to offer some balloon trees as one of the available prop set ups for this year.  I've been on a balloon kick all through Covid; they always put a smile on my face and I think many people feel the same way; however, I know latex allergies are something I need to consider, so we're working on other options, i have some beautiful backgrounds that I cannot wait to post as well, however, right now, I'm being beckoned by my youngest, he so generously made plans for me to take him and his friends to the park, so let me go make sure my daytime pj outfit looks appropriate enough for a trip to the park.  Oh, Covid Life!    I'll have further information available on my website:  www.milliedeephotography.com  Thank you.  

So, what's everyone been doing for the past 130 plus days?  Wow, when this started we just thought it was 14 days long...Now there doesn't seem to be an end in site.  The good news is we're healthy; I believe my son and I both had this crazy virus back in January before it was known; infact it ran through the school system here - it HAD to be this! 
Amongst all of the craziness, everyday I hear of another business shutting its doors; I haven't sat down with my mother since January; i've stopped by to drop groceries and cleaning products, but there have been no hugs since January.     
In trying to keep my mind of off this, I've been a little busy; I am so grateful that I still have clients coming to the studio; however, I'm only booking one per day, so I am seeing less clients, but still very grateful for having them, as they help me to keep my business going.  I did just start a youtube channel to show off some of my work.  Some of my portrait packages include slideshows of the images purchased in the session and that's what I've started to post; just a couple so far, but I hope to grow it; it will just take some time of course.
Also going on,  my son started a shortened baseball season, thankfully we are out watching baseball games twice a week and my daughter's dance school was having outdoor classes and they held a recital on the lawn outside the studio with a rented stage.  I'm also taking the kids away to LBI for a few days soon; the hubby will stay home and watch our dog and keep an eye on his business, Circle Bowl and Entertainment, as they just opened their doors about 10 days ago for the first time since March.  
Last but not least, when I get home with the kids I will post about something else that has been keeping me busy, my new coffee product called Deeva Fuel.  I'm working on getting the sale items onto the website for purchase.  It's a 12 ounce bag of dark roast ground coffee with chocolate, raspberry and anise.  I personally can't really taste the chocolate or raspberry, but my tastebuds feel the richness these delivious ingredients add to your mouth.  I've tried many coffees, this one though...Oh Yes, Please!  You'll definitely want to try it.  
I'll blog again soon. Stay safe, well, sane and healthy everyone!  xoxoxo
​

Where is the time going?  

We just finished what I'm calling Q6- Quarantine week 6 of homeschooling.  Actually, to be honest, I'm not homeschooling; the teachers have been doing an amazing job with the FID system of schooling through the internet.  I'm grateful my children are old enough to be independent learners and don't need much guidance.

My daughter, just turned 13 during this quarantine, is honors and really does a great job with keeping up her grades.  My son, 10 will be 11 soon, does will, however, gets a bit unfocused at times and forgets to complete the extras, like music and gym.  I'm in no way complaining, this is simply an observation. 

While They're 'in school' I'm either photographing food these days or I've been taking care of things like spring cleaning.  Have you ever really gutted drawers, files, closets, desks, etc...and have BAGS of stuff to throw away however, it looks like you barely made a dent in the cleaning??  That was me with our extra bedroom; I found artwork that my kids made back in preschool, stuff from old jobs; (I worked in pharmaceuticals for many years before having a family).  I have notebooks and binders FILLED with product information and most of it I won't throw out just yet.  

What I can't figure out is what to do with our library?  I love the idea of having a library of books, however, the only books I really use and browse through are the cookbooks.  I've never considered myself a hoarder; I mean, you should see the garbage that piles up on a weekly basis, however, I'm realizing there are things that I just...cant...part...with....

I feel like it's a part of my history..or perhaps I should say..herstory.  Right?  History is one of the reasons I absolutely love my job; I feel that I get to capture a point and time in a family's story of their life; documenting points on their timeline.  It's SO important, isn't it?  But now I'm thinking..what do I DO with all of these 'documents'?  I have to figure it out.

When we moved into this house, there were some boxes left behind from the previous owners.  I must mention, the previous owners were my in laws.  They had this beautiful home build in the early 80's and my husband told them randomly that if they ever wanted to sell the house, that he wanted to buy it.  So, I think they were so excited at the thought of their grandchildren living in the home they'd built that they up and moved near my sister in law/ their daughter.  They had left behind a big box of children's books in the attic; I guess thinking perhaps we'd use them.  We did pull a few down but the content was really outdated and I must say, it really had shown that we've 'grown' as a people in mindset.  My husband and I laughed at the books' words...I should find them and post about it.  One book was about a dog that was in the Circus, and overnight he went from being a really big dog that people came to see (like Clifford), to a normal size dog, and he was ostracized and kicked out of the circus.  My husband and I would laugh - so much for unconditional love, right? hahaha.  But it does show a piece of our history; a dot on our human timeline; just like this situation we're all in now.  I'm sure it will be well documented, I hope you're documenting your family's lives during this time - this is surely to go down in our History.  
​
I wish you all health, safety and happiness.
xo
Denise
​: D     

This wise woman I'm referring to is Theresa, the owner of Jeremiah's Catering in Lake Hiawatha, NJ.  She called me during the Covid crisis with a business idea; she was expanding her catering business to offer baked goods and needed some photos of said baked goods she'll be offering to her clients.  

So, taking her suggestion on adapting, I said yes please, absolutely.  I started photography way back in 1985, I started working for a local photographer, we took photos of the local sports teams, school teams, rec teams, etc.  I, like many photographers with a passion for it,  photographed just about everything as a hobby; boats were a favorite subject of mine, as I lived in New England and have a deep love of tall ships.  (I swear I was either a sailor or a pirate in a past life).   I have taken photos of food as well over the years, so I felt like I could jump right back into it.  

Food photography is a bit different from newborn photography however, some of these loaves of bread are about as big as a baby.  The breads hold their pose a little better, too.  I miss having babies in the studio, however, for now, I get to take photos of food...delicious food and I get to keep the food after the photoshoots, too.  So, during this time, while everyone is home and many looking for comfort food, I'm being surrounded by all of this comfort food.  My family has been swarming me, asking when can they finally dig into the bagels and breads?  Oh how I wish calories didn't count during quarantining! 

I am very grateful to have this opportunity for many reasons; to keep me busy; to help sustain my studio, keep my skills sharp, having a creative outlet is great for my 'self' and did I mention the food??   

I hope to have babies and mamas back into the studio very soon, however, in the meantime if you need me, I'll be the one with the camera in my hand and a bakery roll hanging out of my mouth.

Stay healthy, safe and sane, everyone!
​xo