Heidi Slocum Photography

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Momming

Calling all of you wonderful, loving, and exhausted mamas out there… do you question yourself a million times a day like I do? Maybe two million?

I just spent 45 minutes trying to get Lucas down for bed. Then I went downstairs and spent 20 more minutes cleaning the kitchen and feeding our small zoo (okay, just 2 dogs and 2 cats, but they are ferocious when they’re hungry). The entire time I was cleaning, I just kept thinking to myself “did you do enough today? Did you accomplish enough to feel proud of the day?”

I am very lucky in the sense that I get to work from home 3 days a week and only need to go into the office 2 days. Today was one of the office days, so picking Lucas up from the babysitter’s was the highlight of my day. The door opens and he is all smiles and reaches for me with a big hug. But then I get home and I feel like I must pack a whole day’s worth of momming into 4 hours. And even on the days that I am home with him, I go through the same mental checklist.

Did we read a few books today? Did I try to teach him some colors? Numbers? The alphabet? Did he get all of his vegetables and fruits for the day? He didn’t have any sugar after lunch, did he? Is it bath night? Maybe we should make that happen more often? Did he get enough milk? How much milk is this kid supposed to have anyway? Uh oh, are those more teeth coming in?

These things constantly go through my mind, and I doubt myself every day. But that means that once I make it out of the other side of the bedtime theatrics (diffuser, sound machine, turtle nightlight, snuggles…), I finally have time for me. Peace and quie---

Wait, nope. Now is my time to clean, build my business, write a blog post so that my potential clients don’t think I fell of the face of the Earth, answer work emails that I couldn’t answer while slobbery fingers tried to touch the laptop… it never ends. I never get everything done in a day that I wake up hoping to accomplish. And you know what? For now, that is okay.

Our child is loved beyond measure. He knows what a cow, duck, kitty, puppy, lion, frog, and Santa all say. He dances whenever he hears music. I’d say he is doing just fine, despite the loud, thunderous doubts in my mind. And it is in these last couple hours of the day that I will continue to work on my business and housekeeping, because those precious moments during the day are totally worth it. Mamas, hang in there because this bumpy ride is going to go faster than we could ever imagine. Now go reward yourself with some ice cream! You deserve it!

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When I started my photography business in San Diego, I had no clue what I was doing. I was still learning to use my camera, I charged a measly $50 for something that I would put hours into working on. Then when I was finished editing, the real downfall was that I handed over a thumbdrive with all of the images to the clients. And that was that. Book, session, edit, thumbdrive. 

With this workflow and business practice, I was setting myself up for failure in so many ways. First, I was making less than minimum wage after expenses. I mean, I may have been starting my dream business, but no one wants to scrape the bottom of the bucket as an entrepreneur. 

Second, I was setting myself up for failure because I was not giving my clients the experience that they deserved! I was not helping them prepare for their sessions, I had no clue how to help them pose during the session, and I was not helping them get their memories onto the walls of their home. It was up to them to find a place to print their images, which often resulted in color issues because my monitor was not calibrated to printers like Costco and Target. 

When I moved to Southern Maryland, I decided that the business needed an overhaul. I needed to create a real business that I could be proud of, both in income and in client experience. Thanks to Leah of Leah Remillet Photography (and who also sent me that inspirational photo in the picture), I learned how to do this! I now offer a full service boutique experience for my clients!

From wardrobe prep and venue selection, to a laid back and catered-to-them session, to helping them create beautiful wall displays from their images, I am there through it all! You can always count on the highest quality of prints, like you see above, that will help you show off your wonderful memories to the world! I am so excited to share this wonderful experience with you!

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I am an Oregonian who has been uprooted and placed in a whole new place! Most of my new connections in the area don’t know much about me, my history, or my why. So here is a little sneak peak into how I got here and what drives me!

Since moving to Southern Maryland, my world has changed in ways that I could have never imagined. (In the best of ways!) We had Lucas almost a year after moving here, and I have been stuck/ purposely staying in my mom bubble ever since. I mean, wouldn’t you? This little boy is pretty cute, if I do say so myself. Our bubble is safe from judgement, heartbreak, and all the crazies that the outside world contains. We have gotten lots of quality time and it’s been wonderful!

However, because of this, I have missed out on a lot of precious time getting to know my community, exploring Waldorf and La Plata, and getting my name out there. While I wouldn’t trade the time that I spend with my family for the world, I wish that we had spent a little more of that time out and about. 

Now that Lucas is older and is much more interested in the things happening around him, it is easier to get out an see things. I have met lots of new people and I am beginning to build those quality relationships within the community that I am striving for! 

Lucas is my why. Why I have been putting so much time and effort into building a wonderful and exciting photography experience for my clients. Why I know the importance of capturing precious moments as your children grow. Why I push myself to be that person that can show him that your life is what you make it. I want to be one of his biggest role models in life. Because he is mine! 

I want to capture those precious moments in your life for you. If you’ll let me, it would be my pleasure to start creating your personal and DREAM family photo session! 

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Product highlight time! I am so excited to have my welcome packet all put together and ready for my new clients! When you book with me, you will get this goody in the mail, with lots of information and resources to get you ready for our session. 

I know how stressful it can be getting the whole family ready for pictures- I can barely do it with my own family. I don’t feel comfortable in a lot of my clothing post-baby, my husband can’t stand being in front of a camera, and our son manages to dirty a shirt by just looking at it wrong. It’s because I know the struggles that I want my clients to be as prepared, comfortable, and excited for their session as I am! That is the purpose of this welcome packet, and I can’t wait to start sharing it with all of you!

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I am so excited to begin my photography journey in southern Maryland! This blog will be a significant part of my clients’ experience, as it is where I will be posting the previews from their session. Who doesn’t love a sneak peek??