Natalie Gendle: Badass Business Momma

A Note from Whitney:

I met Natalie just as she was opening ACADEMIC lash & beauty. We bonded instantly over our mutual desire to help people find and claim their beauty. Natalie applies lash extensions and performs lash lifts and tints while I photograph people and help them look and feel confident. We often talked about the nervous energy our clients feel before working with us. They are taking a risk, stepping out of their comfort zone and choosing to see themselves in the most positive light. After leaping into our respective services, our clients reflect on how amazing, beautiful and confident they feel. 

In addition to being business buddies, we are both huge fans of each other's talents. I get my lashes done every 3 weeks with Natalie and look forward to seeing my face as it's fully brightened by her beautiful work. Natalie has done headshots and a family shoot with me - and we both loved every second of collaborating to create moments she'll cherish forever. 

I asked Natalie to share her story of starting a business in the midst of motherhood. I know her struggle is so familiar to so many, and I greatly admire the courage she displays every day as she moves her business and family forward.

Here's the truth: I was not thriving as a stay-at-home mom. With three kids 5 and under, I was struggling to find fulfillment from an existence where I never felt I could achieve success. I worked hard to be disciplined enough to create good days but there was always another load of laundry, another load of dishes, another meal to create, another diaper to change. It felt as if there was no end in sight - no end of the workday and no break in sight. 

Taking the leap and opening ACADEMIC lash & beauty changed everything for me. Having a full-time career forces me to be more disciplined. I now thrive on the variety of my workday and in turn, this has made me a more fulfilled person. Now that I work outside the home, my family's world has delightfully expanded as well. My children have more friends, caring teachers, new experiences, time away from their parents to gain autonomy, and a bigger world. This has proven to be a very happy experience for the whole family.

Don't let me fool you, I don't do it all. Its crazy to attempt to! I am still figuring out how to delegate my old duties to ensure that I thrive in my workday and still enjoy my family time when I’m home. I have a great husband who stepped up to the challenge. He is an incredible dad and partner and his flexible work schedule allows him to pick up the slack when I can't. We sometimes hire the amazing ladies at my local laundry mat. Their “fluff and fold” services help me tackle the ever-mounting piles of laundry. We have cleaners every two weeks which take the edge off the house maintenance.  With these decisions, I've given myself the freedom to focus on how I'm best suited to serve my family and community. Leaning on the strengths and services of other businesses has proven to be a good philosophy for us as we navigate the terrain of our daily life. 

I often think of the legacy I am creating, for my family and community. I am always striving to better myself, to help as many people as I can and have the biggest, positive impact possible. Being a business owner allows me so many new and exciting opportunities, challenges, and friendships. Growing a business allows me to miss my family a little and come home to them at the end of the day, excited to hear their stories and reconnect. It has given me the opportunity to be a larger part of my community and has allowed me to positively impact the lives of others.  

The biggest change I've seen is within myself. This amazing adventure has given me the opportunity to grow into a better version of myself.  The long days, missed family meals and stressful challenges of entrepreneurship don't always seem worth it in the moment, but I know that by striving to be the best version of myself, I am also becoming a better wife, mom, community member, friend and ultimately, someone I truly like, when I look in the mirror.

Table 128: Fall Menu Reveal

I sat at the bar at Table 128 enjoying the company of owner Sarah Pritchard after our Wednesdays with Whitney session. I watched a full house arrive for lunch. Everyone who passed the hostess counter on the way to their table grabbed a famous chocolate chip cookie with sea salt, an aperatif to the delicious lunch to come. These cookies, along with amazing food and warm, responsive service are trademarks of this local West Des Moines resturant.

This winter, Table 128 catered the grand opening and one year anniversary of my business. Sarah showed up at my door with trays of delicious, pipping hot food and a smile, ready to serve in any way she could. I had fully expected her to drop off the food and head to her next event. This is the only time I would underestimate Sarah and Lynn’s immense call to host and help. Sarah stayed at the opening, pouring wine and greeting guests, making sure the trays were filled and details weren’t dropped. Her presence made that party a true success.

I desperately wanted to return the favor of hospitality to the Table 128 team and months later, I was finally able to convince Sarah and Lynn it was time for updated headshots. Like so many of my clients, they bulked. Excuses like, “I don’t photograph well,” were spoken aloud. But I am known to be very convincing and finally got this dynamic duo in front of the camera. Of course, the photos were just as beautiful as they are. Their love of people, food and wine, and each other stand out in every image. 

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of photographing the new Fall Menu. The smells and views laid before me were impeccable. I loved capturing the beautiful food, lovingly prepared by amazing people. I personally got to sample the Scallops, Cured Zucchini and Sweet Potato Panna Cotta. Every bite was an experience. The scallops were seared to perfection, laid over a nutty wheat berry concoction that had me singing praises to the fall weather. The cured zucchini had me begging for the recipe. How the heck does a person make a zucchini taste THAT GOOD? I sat protesting as the panna cotta was served with hot coffee. How could I possibly eat another bite?!  But of course, it was rich, creamy and just the right amount of sweet. I polished off the whole dish without hesitation. It was a perfect example of another amazing meal at Table 128. 

Happy Mother's Day Victoria!

I love photographing families, especially families lead by parents like Adam and Victoria. Our shoot was simple and sweet. It took place in their beautiful backyard where their twins, Zelda and George comfortably roamed and explored. The shoot wasn't perfect. It was a bit windy and George got camera shy a few times, but Adam and Victoria were present for every moment of our experience. Tears and laughter were taken in stride as equally important memories. They've only been parents for a year, but they already seem to understand that being a family means embracing everything about one another. I love the moments we created together. 

The following is a letter written by Adam for Victoria in honor of her strength as a mother. Adam is a very gifted writer so I warn you now, grab your tissues. You're going to need them.  

"What makes a mother? Certainly we understand the technical requirements. But what really makes a mother? Is it love? Sure, yes, of course. Love and motherhood go together better than any pair you can name. Love is essential to being a mother. But it only scratches the surface of beginning to understand motherhood.

Nobody tells you how terrifying it is to be a parent. The other night Victoria and I were following our 16-month old twins, George and Zelda, as they crawled up the stairs. It’s a nightly ritual we do before bedtime. They take great pleasure in pulling themselves up the stairs. Each step conquered elicits a squeal or shriek of laughter. We follow closely behind in case there’s a slip or an error. They’ve gotten a lot more surefooted recently, so it’s not uncommon for us to let them get a few steps ahead of us. George had practically raced up the stairs on this night. Zelda was taking her time, inspecting each dust bunny she found along the way. As George passed the top step, he set his feet and shot upright, ready to sprint forward to his bedroom. But he was too close to the edge of the stairs. An error. What was going to happen next seemed immediately, and terrifyingly, clear. George wobbled, teetered, grasped for balance, and then…fell. Backward.

So love, and what else? Devotion? Yes, that seems right. It must be a mother’s devotion to child that pulls her out of bed repeatedly throughout the night for weeks — or months — on end. It’s devotion to child that drives her to sacrifice so much. A mother is no longer an individual. She is an individual devoted to another.

George fell and the universe froze. Heels went over head, tiny arms flailed as he passed the top step and began what would be a devastating tumble. Victoria arrived just before his head smashed into the next step down, just before his world may have been irrevocably altered. Just the way a mother knows how to do. She scooped him into her arms and he cried because he was scared, and not because he was hurt.

Love and devotion are perhaps the two most obvious characteristics of mothers. The third is perhaps the most important: Strength. Witnessing Victoria as a mother these past 16 months is to witness her tap into deep reservoirs of strength. It’s her strength that gets us through the terrifying, exhausting and mystifying ordeal of parenthood. Sometimes it’s as simple as preventing George from falling down the stairs. Other times it’s not. Beneath it all is the strength of a mother. It’s the strength that keeps our family going.

Happy Mother’s Day, Victoria."

The First Look: The Positives and Negatives of this New Tradition

There is one moment of the wedding day all brides and grooms look forward to - the moment they see each other for the first time. This moment happens in so many different ways with varying degrees of tears and tradition but one thing remains consistent, there is no replacing the electricity (and the photos) of this once in a lifetime experience. 

The new tradition of seeing each other before the ceremony is called "the first look." Some will say it's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony and many people look forward with anticipation to the public first look offered by walking down the aisle.  But as wedding days have gotten longer and guests' attention spans have gotten shorter the traditional wedding timeline has undergone some modernization. Now most guests are baffled by a long break between ceremony and reception, especially if your ceremony and reception are held in the same location. I'm not sure who the first brave souls were that bucked tradition and started their wedding day with a private "first look" moment, but I offer them my sincere thanks.  Here are my positives and negatives for this wedding day choice.

Celia and Shawn: October 2014

Positives:
1. You get to experience a real private moment. For most couples, this is the only time they spend together all day. Also, you can cry as much as you want because your stylist is still around and prepared to reapply the mascara. 

2. You actually get two big entrances! The bride still gets to walk down the aisle on the arm of her father. Your guests still get to see her for the first time as you make the walk of commitment towards each other. Double the moments, double the sensation, double the awesome photo opts.

3. You go into your ceremony UNITED. You've talked, gotten out your jitters and calmed down. I can't tell you how many couples were nervous wrecks right up until the moment they saw each other for the first time. I love seeing my brides and grooms exhale and grin like crazy when they final get to be with the one they love. After the first look, the ceremony is a piece of cake. 

4. There is more time for photos! This is a super selfish reason to love a first look, but one I find benefits the couple and their wedding party immensely.  After we capture a beautiful moment between the two of you, I usually head into the "romantics," those weddings photos you're going to hang on your wall, make your Facebook photo and generally adore for the rest of time. Doing these photos ahead of times allows us to take exactly as much time as we need and not be rushed. We also take your bridal party photos during this time,  ensuring that the groomsmen can take off their tie get to the bar as soon as they've exited the ceremony. Everyone wins! 

5. There is no need for a receiving line because you'll be at the cocktail hour! This timeline allows for maximum attention to be paid to your guests on the biggest day of your life together.

Negatives:

I've got to be honest. There are very few negatives to the first look from a photographers perspective, but I will outline some objections I've heard throughout the years.

1. It goes against tradition. For many grooms, that's right, this objection is almost always coming from the groom, seeing their bride walk down the aisle for the first time is the ONLY wedding detail they've imagined. They haven't thought about the dress, the cake or table favors. They have thought about their bride, walking arm and arm with her father towards him. I tell my couples all the time that the first look still feels special and exhilarating, and I've NEVER had a couple regretted their choice to take the more modern route, but some men have their hearts set. And what the heart wants, well you get my meaning.

Ok- so this is the only negative I could come up with, but it is completely legitimate and must be paid attention to. At the end of the day, gut feeling and a bit of scheduling are most likely going to make this decision for you. If a first look seems like the best approach to maximize photo opts and guest mingling time. then lean into it. Think of it as the only time that day you'll get to be alone together. Well, not completely alone. I'm there, but I've got my long lens on and I'm not saying a word. So you go ahead and cry if you want to.

A note from Tim:

"I forgot how totally awesome I look in these pictures. Kristen looked okay too I guess...

Obviously Whitney already knows we loved all of our pictures, and I know we both enjoyed the first look segment - though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a nervous wreck throughout the ordeal. Probably can't see it on my face though because we were just having fun with it. Neither of us were really set on observing most of the normal wedding traditions aside from having a great time (and of course having it arftully documented), and I always thought this one was weird anyway, so no argument or coaxing needed. The most important thing I learned from my own wedding was just that - it's our own wedding. Just do what you feel comfortable doing and let everyone else do the worrying about whether the appropriate niceties and pomp are attended to. *steps off soapbox* Having supremely easygoing and understanding parents on both sides is always a plus, of course.

Anyway, we loved our pictures, had tons of fun with the first look, and I agree with all of the points in the blog post both positive and negative. Thanks again Whitney!

A note from Celia: 

As I am sure you'll recall, I was initially dead set against the idea. I am so eternally grateful that you (ever so gently!) talked us into doing this, and will happily testify to any of your new brides who might be on the fence - this was, without a doubt, one of the most treasured highlights of our entire wedding day experience. But here's a real question for the pro: Will viewing your coverage of our "first look" ever STOP making me cry? To my friends and family who are currently planning their weddings: Please check out this blog post and consider allowing your photographer to capture your "first look!"

Church Ceremonies: The Positives and Negatives of the Classic Choice

I did a little math and I have shot over 150 weddings in my career. As the photographer and trusted advisor for my bride and groom, I am often privy to the best and worst moments of my couple's wedding experience. I get to hear all the dirt leading up to the day of the wedding; the family drama, the vendor drama, the double bookings, the broken deals, the difficulty finding the right undergarments, the awesome cake tastings and the weird DJs they met before finding the perfect fit. I have unparalleled access to what can go right and wrong on a wedding day. On this blog I will offer one photographer's perspective on the wedding industry, wedding day and wedding dream.

Choosing a Church                                                                      
There are so many options now for ceremony sights - backyards, lakeside patios, museums, state parks, the family yacht (lucky you). With so many options, we tend to forget the classic standard - the church wedding. As with any choice, a church wedding has it's positives and negatives. Below I detail my thoughts on the subject from my experience as a photographer. 

Positives
1.) As a general rule churches are air conditioned and climate controlled. This shelter is a huge plus on steamy summer days when backyard wedding guests would normally be melting through their glamorous attire. 

2.) Not all churches are aesthetically created equal but a strong pro is the stunning architectural backdrop a church can provide to a wedding day. The older the better. Some churches really light my artist eye on fire but others look like a board room with a few additional seats. So let me be clear - when I say I like churches - I mean I like GORGEOUS, amazing churches. But even simple churches usually have amazing elements of stained glass and authentic elegance. 

3.) There is plenty of space and your guests know the drill. Most of your guests have practiced walking down a similar aisle every Sunday of their lives, so they are comfortable and know where to sit. It's all very orderly and easy to navigate - a huge plus in my book. 

4.) My favorite moment is when the doors open at the end of the aisle and the light streams in behind the bride. For a second you're blinded while your eyes adjust to the light, and then she comes into focus. Yeah - it's pretty perfect. Even though I'm lucky enough to have seen the bride and I know how wonderful she looks, I still get chills when she walks down the aisle, seeing her groom for the first time.

Negatives

1.) There are rules, and sometimes there are a lot of them. Most frequently there is a "no flash" rule. If you are in the process of booking a church and they say flash photography is strictly prohibited - run. Your photographer is going to be mighty upset when they hear about this condition. While I don't always use flash during a ceremony - and certainly try to get away with not using it, you are running a huge risk not having it at all. Most churches are caves of stained glass and stone and if it's cloudy out, you're going to want to give your photographer the opportunity to use their flash light.

2.) What is classic is also standard. Most church ceremonies are going to look fairly similar. The angles a photographer has access to are limited by the previously mentioned rules and there are only so many places we can stand without interrupting guests. So we do our best. We move around, get both sides and the balcony, but the boundaries set by the church must be respected. 

While I love a good cry during the vows and a passionate first kiss, it's after the ceremony, when it's just me, the bride and the groom when the church fun really begins.

Albums are Forever: The Lachants

I make wedding albums for my couples. The creative and collaborative process it takes to craft an heirloom of this caliber speaks to the heart of who I am as a photographer. It also speaks to the relationships I build with my clients. I am accountable for delivering a memento that will stand the test of time. The Lachants were the perfect couple to share this journey with. Kind, easy going and always up for a laugh. Thank you Jamie and Dan for sharing the story of your best day ever.

- Watch the video of Jamie and Dan's album unveiling! 

"Our wedding album is amazing!!  It is such a wonderful composition of the highlights and incredible photographs from our big day. I am so excited that we will have it always. Our photos captured every moment beautifully and looking through the album reminds me of all the happy memories and fun times. I knew Whitney would produce an artistic, elegant and expertly curated account of our wedding, and I was definitely not disappointed.  She did not miss a single detail and I could not have asked for a better person to guide us through the process.  Everyone who has seen the album absolutely loved it and many have teared up!  It truly is the perfect keepsake of the best day ever and certainly something we will treasure our entire lives!"

- Jamie Lachant, Bride 2015

Capturing Your Always: The Lovely Langs

One of the greatest honors as a photographer is being able to watch families come together and grow. Nick and Allie have created a beautiful family that exudes happiness and gratitude. It has been a pleasure to get to know them individually and as a unit. Below, Allie share's a few words on her journey as a wife and mother. Thank you both for allowing me into your home and hearts.

"I feel as though when I became a mother, the world began spinning faster. Days, weeks, and months fly by so much more quickly than they did before. This new fast-paced way of life has not been easy on me with my slow and steady, sentimental nature. I find myself grasping at all of these new, little moments, trying to commit them to memory. Having a family photographer in Whitney has allowed me to freeze and capture the most important moments in the lives of my ever-changing family. 

When we decided to get married, Nick and I did not want a big, complicated event. We chose a more intimate setting and only invited our closest family members to witness our vows. It was important to us that our wedding photos be able to capture not only the actual event, but also the emotion and beauty of each moment and that is exactly what we found in the work that Whitney did for us. She was able to make us and our family members comfortable in front of the camera with her encouragement and simple direction and was in turn able to obtain some very beautiful and meaningful photographs. Not only have our family and friends complimented our photos, but I feel that they have been able to experience our wedding through them as well."

"Not long after our wedding, we welcomed Miles into our family. Those first few weeks home were spent learning about him, as well as discovering who we were now as parents. That time in my memory is a blur of feeding, rocking, swaddling, and catching sleep while we could. It was in the middle of all this that Whitney was able to capture another set of photographs for us. The morning she arrived at our house, we felt tired and disorganized and I was still having trouble finding clothes that fit correctly. I know I wondered to myself once or twice while Miles cried and we needed to take nursing breaks if maybe we should’ve done this a different time. Whitney was once again a positive and encouraging presence. Viewing those photos now, I am so grateful for them. They depict our little family at a time that we could never recreate. I look back at them in awe of how tiny and new Miles was. And even as we were overwhelmed by our new responsibilities, those photos allow me to tangibly remember how overwhelmed by love we were as well."

"Miles managed to grow from that tiny newborn to a smiling, babbling, crawling baby overnight. I can and have tried to document his amazing growth through taking a million and one cell phone pictures. However, not only do these do little justice to the fullness of his personality, but my husband and I are more often than not absent from them. And in truth, as much as our baby has changed each month, so have we grown and evolved right along with him. We had another set of photos done just after Miles turned six months old. It was a brisk Fall morning when we got to the park, but Whitney was ready to go and quickly found a great area to use as our backdrop. I can’t imagine that it’s easy to pull together two adults, a distractible baby, and an anxious dog to form a cohesive image, but Whitney managed it easily and we were out of the cold and back in the warm car faster than I would have ever expected. As I have now come to expect, we loved these photographs as well. With a family photographer, we have gained the unique perspective of documenting how our family has grown together."

"The images we have received from Whitney have been beautiful. They are something I know that we will treasure for many years. Not only do they document the important moments of our lives, but they have also been displayed as art in our home. I love that I can walk into our bedroom and be reminded of the promises and anticipation of our wedding day or look up at the living room wall to see the family we have become. Thanks Whitney!"

Capturing Your Always: The Van Houtens

Meeting Carrie is feels like meeting the human version of the sun. She just glows. Always smiling, always full of energy - her family circles around her with obvious love and respect for the warmth and steadiness she brings into the household. It was a pleasure to photograph Carrie and her amazing clan. I can't wait to do it again next year. 

"I decided to work with Whitney for many reasons - two of them being her confidence and positive attitude. She also has the reputation of being an amazing photographer. We had experienced too many years of disappointing and over-priced mall/department store photos!  Some of our family photos definitely deserve to be in the "Awkward Family Photos Hall of Fame"!  The photos Whitney took are COMPLETELY the opposite of these! Honestly, I was a little nervous about getting family photos taken at our home. I have three small kids,  three dogs and a husband which sometimes seems like an impossible herd to wrangle.  Whitney made the whole process easy and the time went quickly! The kids immediately liked her, and with all the encouragement she gave them, they quickly wanted to please her!   She even managed to get my husband to smile naturally. I'm so glad we invested in these photos. These treasures are worth every penny. The time when children are very small is very short. I love looking through my photos and sharing them with friends and family.  Thank you SO much, Whitney!"

- Carrie Van Houten: Wife and mother of three.