***All images in this post are copyright Melanie Mauer***

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{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

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How long have you been in business? And how did that come about? 10 years - unbeknownst to me when I chose photography as a field of study in college, my grandfather and great-grandfather were both photographers …I feel like photography is woven into my dna just like hair & eye color.

How many children do you have? one oh-so-spirited toddler who delights me endlessly J

What do you think are the most important things you do as a mom every day? For me, establishing a routine that incorporates the things close to our hearts is important - it helps my life mirror what we hold dear. I see the look on Audrey’s face when I say “I’m so so very happy to be your momma”, so I tell her that often when we’re enjoying a lovely moment. And snuggling…can I list that, too? :)

What do you think are the top three things you must do as a business woman every day? 1) create beautiful images of my clients’ lives 2) lovingly craft a business that delivers those images in a way that delights 3) keep that little business in check with my other life goals

You always seem so calm, pulled together, and genuinely interested in others. What’s your secret? Merci, sweet Davina! No secrets here - I just adore people. They are completely fascinating! I can think of few things I enjoy more than a conversation with a friend!

What 5 tips do you have for women to help them maintain a balance in their lives between everything they have to do?

I find it really helpful to acknowledge that we are creating our lives. Certainly there are circumstances outside our control but there are so so many situations where we can make choices. Make sure that you’re creating a business that works in a way that enriches your life - and set boundaries. Personally, I’ve chosen not to work on Sundays - and I think that it’s so very helpful to have that day just with your family to recharge and refuel every single week. Pay attention to how you work best and create a schedule that considers that. It sounds so silly but make sure you’re getting the appropriate amount of sleep - if anyone is feeling so so tired, I think Spent  is a great book. Years ago on an email list Julie Valentine shared this really great checklist...

- - - - - - - - MONTHLY LIFE BALANCE CHECKLIST - - - - - - - -

Am I Nurturing My Relationships?
[_] Is there anyone that I owe a phone call, letter, email, etc. who I
need to be in communication with?
[_] Do I have any broken promises I need to apologize for or complete?
[_] Have I gossiped about anyone?
[_] Is there anyone I need to acknowledge or thank?
[_] Am I nurturing or creating romantic relationships?
[_] Am I nurturing family relationships?
[_] Am I supporting the endeavors of others? attending receptions,
graduation, openings?
[_] Am I remembering life events by sending cards or calling for
birthdays, anniversaries, holidays?

Am I Expressing My Creativity and Sense of Play?
[_] Have I scheduled a vacation?
[_] Have I created something original from my heart?
[_] Have I scheduled a local adventure to discover a new place,
restaurant, museum, etc.
[_] Have I set aside time to dream and vision my future? (Keep a
journal, etc.)
[_] Have I spent time in silence?

Am I Honoring My Body?
[_] Have I scheduled a physical with a doctor and/or OBGYN?
[_] Have I moved my body through physical activity?
[_] Do I have sufficient health insurance?
[_] Are my hair and nails in good condition?
[_] Am I getting sufficient sleep?
[_] Are there any differences in the look and texture of my body that
I need to deal with?
[_] Have I scheduled an appointment at the dentist office?
[_] Am I drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day and completing my
meals by 7pm?
[_] Have I scheduled an appointment with an eye doctor?
[_] Am I putting an effort into my appearance?

Am I Managing My Home?
[_] Is my check book balanced?
[_] Is my house clear of clutter?
[_] Which areas need attention?
[_] Are my taxes paid?
[_] Are my bills paid or scheduled to be paid?
[_] Do I have a long term financial plan in motion ?
[_] Do I have a sufficient savings and a savings plan?
[_] Do I donate to charity?
[_] Do I have sufficient home insurance?
[_] Are my home appliances in working order?
[_] Are my plants watered?

How's Work? Am I Sharing My Gifts and Talents with the World?
[_] Is my work place clean?
[_] Are there any communications I need to make with my contractors,
vendors, customers?
[_] Am I showing up for work on time?
[_] Is my performance at work up to par?
[_] Am I holding people to account for our agreements?
[_] Are my bills and/or business expenses paid?
[_] Are my business taxes complete?
[_] Are my business license current and complete?
[_] Are my business systems helping me progress with efficiency?
[_] Are sales meeting or exceeding targets?
[_] Is my business supporting me and enhancing my life?
[_] Am I happy with my salary?
[_] Do I have gathered an extraordinary team of employees or
contractors to assist in production?
[_] Have I created a marketing strategy to keep my products alive in
my customers minds?

via Julie Valentine of Divine Goddess Designs

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?

* I have a terrific set of employees - I adore and cherish them! I owe a large part of my ability to have a semi-balanced life to them.

* I’m thoughtful about the things to which I say yes.

* My schedule goes through constant fine-tuning but I’ve found that I prefer to bundle shoots two weeks out of the month (the exception being weddings) so that similar projects like proofing, etc are also bundled. I heard the analogy from Julie Morgenstern that our daily/weekly schedules could be thought of as a closet...do you put pants next to pants and then dresses next to dresses? It creates so much more order and actually allows the closet to hold more! In a similar way, I like having days at the end of the week devoted to shoots (and I find that it’s a little easier for families to do shoots on Fridays when perhaps they can make it a long weekend) and Mondays devoted to various business tasks, Tuesdays devoted to proofing...and so on. There’s flexibility but it has created a really nice rhythm to my week. I started this in a more conscientious way after my daughter was born and I was feeling like my ‘closet’ was a huge mess with tasks scattered everywhereJ

* I borrowed an idea from a friend, Shannon Ho, who limits herself to no more than 3 weddings a month - I really like that each month, even during the busiest times of the year, there’s a chance to picnic, go to the zoo or just hang out at home.

* Yoga - I started going earlier this year and am amazed at the feeling of mental clarity it provides. You know that blissed out feeling you have after a massage? That’s how I feel after every yoga class with my amazing instructor. It’s one hour completely for me and it makes a world of difference.

* When I feel like I’m on the edge of being overwhelmed, it’s the perfect signal to go on a short walk…get outside, listen to the birds, admire the clouds...and then settle in for some concentrated work.

You are in Kentucky. What have you done to get your business established there?

I’ve done very little advertising - my goal from each shoot is to have extremely happy clients and I feel really fortunate that they share my name with friends.

You’ve been to some workshops. Will you tell me about them and what you felt like you got out of each of them?

a lovely workshop with elizabeth messina - this is the workshop I’ve most recently attended…it was nothing short of a dream! elizabeth is so very kind and makes everything she touches sing with beauty. she had such a strong vision of the kind of experience she wanted to create; as a participant I was absolutely flabbergasted by the detail, richness and loveliness of the event. I walked away completely inspired - I also used it as a chance to share time with a friend, shannon ho in oklahoma, so we could talk business and I think it’s such a smart thing to do…travel to a workshop with a friend!

love affair 1 - oh my, even though a full year has passed, i’m still singing love affair’s praises. has anyone who is reading this blog not gone…please please do!! you will *love* it! again, an event crafted from a place of total love and care - I still feel so connected to the other workshop participants, we email, we see one another when we’re traveling nearby, we collaborate...the value has gone far far beyond what I paid to attend. Love affair continues to be a total help to me as a business person... it’s really the place where everyone can learn so much.

You have clients like Bella Bliss. How did you land that opportunity?

Bella Bliss is a really wonderful children’s line based in Lexington - very classic in its sensibility...for a moment can I just say hurrah for something not loud, or with sparkles? I’m oddly anti-glitter on clothing :) For years I’ve had children wear their clothes at shoots and I really appreciated the timelessness that it added. Gratefully, our paths finally crossed. I really couldn’t be happier about being their photographer...I adore the group of people who bring the line to life. Note: the images on their current website are another photographer’s.

I love your romantic and authentic approach to your blog and clients. What’s your general philosophy and how does it look in action?

I love the conversation with clients that a blog allows...and I’m totally smitten with my clients. To the point of restraining myself from sending them pretty postcards of our state on a regular basis in hopes of woo-ing them back if they move! So yes, I gush a little over them...what we do is to very personal, and I appreciate the intimacy of photography and so very glad that somehow, the nicest and most darling people on the planet seem to find me.

What three products or things help you stay organized?

Logmein.com - this allows my too-sweet office manager to telecommute while she’s in grad school becoming the bluegrass’s best speech therapist (I sound like a proud mother sometimes - but I’m just so very impressed with her!)

Jott.com - I really like the iPhone app

MachForms - I love these…the replies come in a cute email in your inbox

Oovoo.com - they’ve just recently added a fee for this service but I love being able to occasionally video chat with friends who I feel continually help keep my business sharp

That’s 4, sorry!

To see more of Melanie's Work:

Website

Blog

***All images in this post are copyright Melanie Mauer***

*tell a friend*