A number of years ago, Stefani and her husband Mark moved into the same little town as me (Taneytown) and quickly started making a big, wonderful, footprint. They are both savvy successful business owners, eager to revive some of the best things in our close-knit community.
We got together a couple times, said we would do it again… and whoops! As life goes, a lot of time passed on the personal side of things. Through a project of my husbands, we reconnected again. And whoops, life happened again. Then Adam and I got pregnant with our first. The second we made an announcement on Facebook, it was Stefani who reached out to share some hand-me-downs. “Some” is a gross understatement. They passed along a car seat, a baby swing, and pack-and-play, toys, boppy pillows, you name it. If a mama or baby needed it, they had it. And they generously offered all of it to us.
Then life happened again. Baby Charlie arrived, and Adam and I kind of became hermits for a year or so. Being a Mom is amazing, but it really takes from your “me” time at the beginning. You kinda have to re-introduce time with your friends and finding the energy to nurture new friendships can really be hard (especially for us introverts... it’s not because we don’t want to, for those extroverts wondering).
At about 18 months old, Charlie really started to blossom when it came to play time. I have been eager to give him opportunities to play and socialize and make friends. Then walks back into our lives – wonderful boss babe Stefani, and mother to a really cool 4-year old. Stefani had mentioned possibly participating in my mini headshot event last Fall (I hosted Mini Headshots at The Reindollar Carriage House during one of Stefani’s 2nd Saturdays Makers Markets shopping events), but Stefani didn’t sign up. She wasn’t quite ready, and I know that’s a common feeling among professional women. We ladies are not sure what to wear… we want to loose a few extra pounds… we want to reverse aging a few years… yadda yadda. To put things short, we’re good at dragging our feet!
Little did I know, Stefani was waiting to invest in something even more special for herself. And I’m so glad she did! Stefani was ready for a portrait session catered just to her, making use of their gorgeous 1895 Colonial Revival Victorian home in the downtown district facing Rt. 194.
Stefani’s new portraits had a purpose. She needed headshots for her career advancements… but she also has a Voyage Baltimore magazine interview coming up.
The various gorgeous settings within Stefani’s home are such a treat to a creative photographer like myself. We featured two rooms and various angles within each. I sent Stefani her proofing gallery, and anxiously awaited her response. Usually this is all done via email, a process that can kinda be slow… but Stefani and I had been texting all afternoon and into the night…
Stefani: “Staaaaaahp it. These are so amazing. I just did a quick skim in the parking lot (of my child’s school). Can’t wait to see them on the computer.”
Stefani: “My Mom and I have been sending photos (from the proofing gallery) back and forth all night. We are currently obsessed with these two.” (see below)
Stefani: “These turned out better than I’d imagined.”
*Stefani, I hope you don’t remind me recanting your texts with me… this is as much for me to remember as it is to share your wonderful feedback with my audience. 🙂 Just typing these is giving me a major confidence boost.*
Stefani: “I just literally can’t contain my excitement. You say it in your welcome email that this is an awesome investment in yourself and it really, truly is.”
Stefani: “FYI, I’m low key obsessed with this one.” (see below)
Stefani: “I for real didn’t realize how amazing this was going to be for my confidence.”
Stefani left me a wonderful testimonial that essentially says the same, but I love the immediate excitement and energy in her initial texts.
Now to give Stefani a few little plugs… she is making great strides at Digital Promise Global as their Senior Director of Educator Community Partnerships. And The Reindollar Carriage House is the Makers Market venue (go shop their vendors every 2nd Saturday). The Reindollar Carriage House also hosts creative workshops (like charcuterie board and stained glass classes, to name a couple examples) and make their venue available for private rentals, like for special events like corporate retreats, business meetings, and birthday parties. Consider them for all of your workshop and events venue needs! And in 2022, Stefani and her husband Mark founded the Stephenson Neonatal Foundation (Donate HERE and Follow on Facebook HERE)Â to support the care of infants in the NICU by providing financial assistance to families for the associated non-medical costs.
During the same portrait session, Stefani and I also spent some time on an infinity wall to give her some clean generic portraits. Here is one of our favorites:
And I’m happy to report that her little one and my Charlie recently became official friends and we have enjoyed each other’s company a few times since photo day, and I am hopeful for many more playdates and Mama-friend time together!
