Category Archives: Birth

Moving forward and stepping back

This post is a long time coming but I wasn’t sure how to put it into words and I wanted to be confident in the decisions I was making. In the past few years I have seen many fellow business owners stepping back from their respective business. Whether cutting hours, shifting specialties or completely closing- folks are taking steps to prioritize the things that bring them joy in their lives.   I truly believe that one of the “benefits” of the pandemic was that it forced many of us to slow down and take stock of our lives.  

My first business "pause" was when my son was both over 9 years old.

In late 2010, after spending years working in higher education, I was lucky enough to be able to switch careers to a job that gave me an outlet for my creativity while allowing flexibility in my home life.  In the past 13 years, as Blue Daisy Art grew,  my client roster grew and demands on my time because greater than I hoped.  After my son was born 9 years ago, I attempted to shift and adapt my focus to give myself time with my family while not letting my clients down.  I moved to not booking high school seniors, only photographing families in the fall, and somewhat limiting the number of births and newborns I booked.

As a Gen X’er though I grew up in a time when being super busy and having more, more, more defined success.  I also have a hard time saying no and have serious FOMO (fear of missing out.). When I took a season off from photographing families, I got a little sad looking at the images captured by other photographers of gorgeous fall colors with families I loved to capture.  

I am now though at a point in my life when I am counting down the years in which my own kids are still at home.  My kids are active and busy and between school, sports and activities, I am lucky to have any time with them.   While driving with my daughter recently I looked over at her and thought “I only have a few years left with you before you leave for college” and I started tearing up.

So what does all this have to do with Blue Daisy art?  Initially my plan was to close my doors, but I am not ready for that.  I would like to take this year as a test to see what my schedule will allow.  So, for now…

I will not be booking:

  • Fall family sessions
  • Milestone (sitter, 1 year, etc.) sessions from new clients
  • Births from new clients
  • Extended family sessions

I will be booking: 

  • a very small number of newborn and maternity sessions from new and returning clients
  • milestone sessions from returning clients (which may include family images if booking a “complete” session)
  • New Arrival Sessions (Fresh 48/In-hospital sessions) from new and returning clients
  • Previously purchased or donation gift cards, which can be used for family or newborn sessions

What is up in the air?

  • Christmas Mini-Sessions.  I will take the next couple months to decide if and when I will offer up the Christmas “Milk and Cookies” sessions

I appreciate everyone’s understanding and if at any point I begin to open up additional sessions, I will inform folks via facebook. Below is part if my “why”. Why I am stepping back, as my kiddos (and my husband and I) are not getting any younger and time moves too fast.

Thanks, Vicky

Yara | Chatham Springfield IL Newborn Photographer

Gorgeous Yara was just a dream baby for her session, just like her sister was 2 1/2 years before hers! When she first came in, she was sound asleep and we took advantage of this by capturing some adorable images with her big-sister and family. He grandmother, who lives out of the country, was in town visiting and we were able to capture some beautiful images with her as well!

If you visit my studio, you will see this adorable baby in one of my sample albums. While I do not require you to purchase any additional prints or products, I do work with some amazing vendors that offer some heirloom quality products. I love being “all-inclusive” and providing high-resolution digital images to my clients but some of my newborn and child packages include a print credit to encourage you to print your images and not just leave them on your computer!

Allison | Springfield Chatham IL Newborn Photographer

I am super-duper behind in blogging and when I went back to see where I was in regards to blogging sessions, it was pretty embarrassing. Regardless, one of the benefits of being behind is that I get to go back and relive the sessions through a few images.

Adorable Allison was a total angel for her session and it was such a pleasure to see this family again, as I captured big brother just a few short years ago.

Click through this adorable gallery to view Allison’s Images…

Claire 8 months old | Springfield Rochester IL Baby Photographer

Oh my goodness, I always got excited when adorable Claire came in to see me for a milestone session.  This cutie with her adorable big eyes, dark curls and sweet rolls was on her “A-game” for he 6 month session too.  All smiles, all giggles.

The New Arrival of Wyatt | Springfield IL Birth Photography

There is nothing more fun and exciting than a new baby.   Since I specialize in birth and newborn photography, I am obviously a big fan of babies, but you know what is even more fun for me?   Seeing a new sibling meet their new baby brother or sister for the first time.   Sometimes they are tentative- not really hip on seeing mom in a hospital bed and this new family member in their arms.  Sometimes they are like sweet Sadie below, super-excited and want to explore everything about their new sibling.   Since I was there on the day Sadie was born, is was very special to me to see her grow into this new role.

I love my New Arrival or “fresh-48” sessions like this.  While these don’t have the extensive coverage that a birth does, they offer a peek into your new baby’s life in the hospital.

Victoria Kegg of Blue Daisy Art is a fresh and modern portrait photographer. She specializes in birth, maternity, & infant photography, but also captures families and children. Blue Daisy Art is based in Springfield, IL.

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