My Post-Covid Career Journey

Motherhood is an ever-evolving state of being. Just when you think you’ve hit your stride, something shifts inside of you.

Earlier this spring, in the middle of our whole family fighting Covid, I took a leap of faith to leave my full time job and go part time to have more time with my babies and fill my soul with more photography and design.

I was moving too fast, not present in any given moment, and my mental health was suffering. Everything in me was telling me to slow down and reassess what drives me and makes me the happiest—I’m thankful for Covid in that regard. I realized that it is spending time with my own babies, and getting the opportunity to capture precious memories and be a part of your family, even if just for a few minutes. Photographing people and their beautiful energy warms my entire being. The knowledge that the work I’m doing will outlive all of us and document your legacy is everything to me.

Today, I’m choosing to spend my time as deliberately as possible doing exactly what I love. I’m so thankful for new opportunities and the ability to stop time, just for a moment, through the lens of my camera.

Thank you all for your support, every time you like a post or book a shoot with me, you make me brave! If you’re looking for a sign to take a chance and follow your heart, this is it! We can do hard things.🌷💕📸

5 Tips for a DIY Family Photoshoot

DIY family photoshoot with our sweet helmet baby! We used a timer and continuous mode to be sure to capture the moments he was looking at the camera.

“You’re crazy! Won’t you lose clients?” Maybe. But with the tough financial times we’re all facing, if I can provide a few tips help, I’m happy to! And if there comes a time when you’re ready to invest with a professional photographer, I hope you’ll consider me.

I’ve been doing my own DIY family photoshoots for years. Truthfully, it’s a pain and takes some work, but it’s convenient and can help you save money.

Here are 5 tips to help make it a success!

1) Use a Tripod

Whether you’re shooting with an iPhone, DSLR, or Mirrorless camera; a tripod is essential to getting crisper shots while you’re trying to wrangle the little ones and fix your partner’s collar. You can get a fairly inexpensive one on Amazon, which is worth its weight in gold so you don’t have to balance your phone on the kitchen counter and hear your children repeat the littany of curse words escape your mouth when it inevitably crashes to the floor.

My own headshot taken in front of a window in my office

2) Face a Window

Gather your family and face a window in your home. This is the key to obtaining even natural light while shooting indoors. Bonus: your kids can watch the garbage truck go by, and you may even get some natural smiles! I took my own headshot with a camera balanced on a keg in my office, facing out of my window (the ultimate keg stand, some may say! Though I feel compelled to insist you don’t risk this with your own equipment.)

Group photo taken with a timer and continuous mode on our back deck. Not perfect, but it will do!

3) Use a Timer

Set a timer on your phone or camera so you have time to dash back and forth from the camera to grab a child and smile oh-so-naturally before the shutter clicks.

4) Use Continuous Mode

Maximize your photoshoot and set your camera to continuous mode to capture 10 images at a time. The odds are better that you’ll get more people in the group smiling, and you’ll capture those great candid moments in between clicks!

5) Have Patience

The key to a successful at-home DIY family photoshoot is to have patience with yourself and your family! You’ll be playing the role of both model and photographer, so be kind to yourself as you dash back and forth between the camera and your crew. The kids will get restless, and that’s ok! Some of the best smiles come from the in-between moments.

If you try any of these, I’d love to see your results! We all know nothing can replace the photo quality and experience a photographer can provide, but these tips may help in the meantime. When you’re ready to stop dashing and cursing, reach out to me so I can take at least the photographer role off of your plate!

Corporate Headshots | Headline Studio NYC

The truth is, everything about this shoot was a dream come true for me. The chance to travel to NYC and take headshots for this wonderful company at One World Trade Center took my breath away.

I’m from Michigan originally, now settled in Upstate NY with my husband and two kids. I followed a dream to get out here—interning at Cosmopolitan Magazine—and this shoot felt like my entire career has come full circle in the most beautiful way.

From the train ride down to NYC, to stopping outside One World Trade Center to look up, to getting to meet and photograph each of these amazing individuals was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

These were taken indoors, only using the stunning natural light streaming in through the windows. If you haven’t been to visit the building, it’s breathtaking. Combine that with the euphoria driven by enthusiastic, talented subjects to photograph, and you can imagine how spectacular this shoot was!

Pearsall Wealth Management | Friendly and Approachable Corporate Headshots

Corporate headshot team photo with an amazing group!

This corporate headshot photoshoot for Pearsall Wealth Management was professional and organic, with an outdoor location and beautiful natural light!

The chemistry and dynamic between this team was palpable; it was clear they have great respect for one another, and are talented at what they do, while still knowing how to have fun!

We chose an outdoor location for this shoot to add an element of nature and a bit of play to ensure the headshots were true to the essence of the team; keeping them professional and approachable.

The biggest challenge of the day was the pollen! The yellow clouds billowing from the trees covered everything, but we successfully navigated nature and got some gorgeous shots of this team!

Sandi + Bridget

The lightness and laughter of the friendship between these two beautiful ladies cut through the bitter cold of this fresh November morning. The best part about this meet? Sandi (my sister) and her friend Bridget had never actually met in person before! Though they have been friends for years. The chemistry was instant and palpable, and it was a privilege to behold.

They wanted some carefree, lifestyle shots—active poses, both together and individual. They were absolute champions and changed outfits in the parking lot of the park! Not awkward at all, right?

The giggles grew as they became more comfortable in front of the camera, and near the end, they absolutely glowed with excitement (or maybe it was the hypothermia.)

I was invigorated by their energy, and we all had such a good time on this shoot!

Hi, I’m Staci

Photo credit: Trampoline / Allison Valiquette

It’s nice to meet you! I’m a photographer and graphic designer practicing mindful design daily. I geek out over new typefaces and lenses at an equally embarrassing squeal. I have over 15 years of experience, which helps to shape the way I create.

I use the term “mindful design” because I’m passionate about living deliberately and promoting mental wellness. I treat every photography session like a yoga class, whether it be a corporate headshot or a family photoshoot. I like to bring a little "namaste” into everyone’s day!

I moonlight as the proud co-founder of the world’s most adorable toddler nudist colony. My babies are small, though getting bigger every day. My oldest son, Kaiser, just turned four; and my youngest, Kayden, was born on March 12th, 2020—the day the world shut down due to the pandemic. Parenting in a pandemic hasn’t been easy, but my beautifully sassy toddlers have taught me how to prioritize what is important. I bring that focus to every piece I design and every photo I take.