I love photographs. When my PC died earlier this year, I went into panic mode because I was certain that every precious photograph that I had captured was gone forever. Thank goodness I have a wonderful PC guy! I am the girl who always has her camera ready to catch that perfect moment and chronicle my family’s days. I have been fortunate to get some great ones, but thank goodness for the digital world and delete. I must have spent a small fortune on photographs before digital arrived, and I am constantly telling my youngest that I have just as many photographs of her, just not in print. I have to explain “the olden days” to her and about the many luxuries we have today.
I love photography and I look forward to the Charlotte Smarty Pants photo shoot each year when I can add another perfect shot of my family to show case. I wish I had just a pinkie finger’s worth of talent that a true photographer holds.
Today I am happy to introduce you to a wonderful photographer and mom, Kristen Montgomery, as our Smarty Mom. Kristen is so very talented and creates wonderful photographs that anyone will cherish. This summer I had the chance to meet her and learn about her love for photography and how she turned her talent and education into a career. Kristen is one of our trusted partners at Charlotte Smarty Pants and this month she is offering a Fall & Holiday Mini Photo Sessions for $125 + Tax! Jump on that Smarty Steal, I am thinking about that perfect Christmas Card this year! Enjoy getting to know Kristen.
Kristen Montgomery’s Smarty Mom Stats:
Married to: Jesse (6 years)
Mom of: Eleanor (2 1/2), Meredith (will be 1 on September 13)
Years in Charlotte/Hood: We moved to Charlotte in March 2008 (5 1/2 years) and bought our house in SouthPark 4 years ago.
Occupation: Photographer – Newborn, Children & Families, www.kmontgomeryphotography.com
Typical Day?
Eleanor is our human alarm clock and wakes us up around 6:15/6:30. Since I am not a morning person, we can usually convince her to sit or lay quietly by letting her watch a little show on the iPhone (eek!) until we are up and moving and showered. We have child care half the week so I try to schedule as many sessions as possible on those days. I try to set aside time each day for editing, marketing, education and updating my website. I am learning that the website is a constant work in progress. We try to cook as many meals as possible – I think everything tastes better on the grill. Once Jesse gets home from work and we’ve eaten dinner we try to do some sort of family activity before bed. Bedtime for the girls is 7:30/8 and after we straighten up from the day, I usually end up back on the computer editing photos or catching up on other work and prepare to do it all over again the next day! Ideally I like to be in bed around 10 but lately it’s been closer to midnight!
Funniest thing your child has said?
The girls are hilarious (especially Eleanor) but something recent that comes to mind is that we borrowed a tire pump from a neighbor to refill a tire on our jogging stroller. Eleanor decided that it looked like a microphone and the whole weekend she kept performing with her “microphone” and guitar for us. At the time, she was really into watching Bubble Guppies and there is an episode where they sing a song called “We Totally Rock”. The only thing Eleanor could remember was “Pleeeease welcome the Bubble Guppies, We Totally Rooooock!” and she repeated that non-stop all weekend long. She was pretty disappointed when we had to return the tire pump! Thankfully we have this on video, I am sure it will make an appearance at her wedding someday!
Favorite family activity?
The girls LOVE the water so everyone is usually pretty happy when we are doing something water-based. We’ve gotten a lot of use out of our baby pool but we have also frequented the Harris YMCA splash pad and baby pool this summer. We have also had fun taking some beach vacations this summer to Topsail and Hilton Head.
Favorite thing to do when you are kid free?
I love shopping (much to the disappointment of my husband). I was a competitive tennis player growing up but haven’t played since I had Eleanor and can’t wait to get back on the court. I also love just spending quality time with Jesse – whether it be a dinner date or just spending a quiet evening at home.
I could not live without…
…CHOCOLATE! I start to panic when I can’t find any in the house. Although these days I can’t seem to live without caffeine either…
Decision to leave corporate world and make the career change to photography?
I had been taking on photography clients part-time for the past three years and my “pipe dream” was to be able to launch it into a full-time business at some point. I attended the National Association of Professional Child Photographer’s (NAPCP) annual retreat in Charleston, SC in April and felt so inspired by the other attendees that I re-launched my business as a full-time studio in May after leaving the investment firm I had been with for 4+ years.
Something that most do not know about you?
My favorite place to be is the beach and I have been swimming my whole life but I have a paralyzing fear of sharks so I never actually go in the water. Just ask my husband about our attempt to snorkel on our honeymoon!
