News

Be brave. Take risks. Make waves. 

That's what our next featured photographer did when her image went mega viral!

Tara Ruby is the photographer behind the internet famous Military mom nursing photo shown below.

She is trying to change the world's view on breastfeeding in public, so she now offers all sorts of themed breastfeeding sessions!

This is how you make waves people!

We think what she does is pretty unique and awesome, so of course we hit her up for a Lady Boss interview and t-shirt collab!

Read her interview below...

Tara, please tell us a little bit about your brand and your story of how you chose your specific photography path...

My brand is simply me. I feel comfortable shooting portraits as I see them, and I don't edit heavily. I want a raw and real feeling to my work. I am a military veteran and my husband is currently still active duty so I work closely with many military families so capturing motherhood alongside of military moments just blends well. Many military families spend time apart from their soldier, so I help them by capturing those special moments to share with spouses and even grandparents. 

In your words, what are three things you'd like your photography work to portray?

I want my work to tell stories. Empowerment, Success, Love .... I want to help mothers feel beautiful and to know that they can do whatever they put their mind up to.  There have been moments where my portraits change mindsets and that is powerful. 

How do you want your clients to feel after leaving a session with you?

Elated and ready for their portraits! I love when they are excited and what I see them sharing how great their session was with their friends on social media. 

Tell us about a situation that helped you grow in your photography career. Either early on or more recently....

Going viral helped me change my career alot. Learning that my work is more than just a portrait taken with a great camera, but that my portrait is a piece of art and I am the artist behind it. I can not draw or paint, but I have always felt like I was a creative person. So, realizing that by creating a masterpiece through photography was indeed my creative personality coming to life was amazing.

I think we forget sometimes that we are artists and that we can portray certain messages through our art. Seeing myself in that light, and learning to view my work as art and not just as a photo on a piece of paper has changed my work tremendously.

What are some must haves that you have at all of your sessions?

My Baby Shusher, Tamron Lenses, baby wipes or towels (poo and pee happens... lol) and music. 

You definitely have a unique mission with your work. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who is trying to stand out from the rest in their field?

It might sound cliche but ... follow your heart and your instincts. If you feel a burning desire to do something. DO IT. But be ready for those that don't agree with your vision. They will tell you all about it. I know that when I have an idea, it literally will drive me crazy until I finish it through. That's called desire and passion and it fuels us creatively. 

Have you had moments of feeling like you could give up? If so, how did you overcome that? 

Oh yes, and even recently. We moved after 7 years in El Paso to Georgia with the military. Being established and then uprooting your business to a brand new area is HARD. I was super bummed. I lost constant income. I lost clients and friends. I lost my studio space. And we moved in winter so I was stuck in the house for months. But the drive and the passion was still there so I started to reach out to my community. Attended events where moms would be. I also learned that I didn't need to be SO busy and I spent more time on family and my home. I think it was a much needed break and now feeling refreshed I have new clients in my new area and things are slowly looking up.

What does Tara Ruby do for fun?

Fish. Being here in Georgia is perfect for this and I love to spend my free time on the beach with a few fishing poles. Best thing to catch is sharks. I've caught one over 3ft long all by myself. (I seriously think I just love sitting on the beach)

Have you found the magical balance between family and business? If so, please let us know your recipe for success... 

This one is hard to answer, because my family dynamics change so often. But when my family is all together I try to include my children in my photography business as much as I can. My son loves helping me work expos. He loves the business side and my daughter loves being in the studio helping with all the newborns. When the work day is over, we put phones away. We turn off the computer and we focus on our time. We don't allow social media at the dinner table. We take only ourselves to the beach, not work. Making that firm break between when you need to be at work and when you can focus on your family is the most important. Make work hours and stick to them!! You can't call up your favorite restaurant at 2am and order a steak dinner. Our clients need to respect our family time and if you are clear and upfront with your hours then it will all work out ok. 

What is something that you say to your clients to make them feel more comfortable in front of the camera? 

Breathe. I've seen them tense up and stop breathing. So that is step 1. Next, we start talking about their littles. Once that conversation happens they seem to forget they have a camera pointed at them and they just embrace the moment. They start focusing on small baby feet and that little hand around their pinky finger and I'm no longer there, it's just them. And it's beautiful. 

If you could shoot a nursing session at ANY location in the whole world where would that be?

WOW. Just one? There are so many beautiful locations that I want to shoot, Paris, Australia, Ireland..... but in all seriousness I am wanting to visit India. I've learned that my portraits can change the world and their perception of breastfeeding. There are many places still left in the world where women can not breastfeed in public, or they are just beginning to be able to do so. I have been asked to come visit India to do a shoot there and I would love to go there. The story behind that photo would be powerful. Just think of how many little girls in the world right now would benefit from seeing that photo.

Wow! Hearing about your mission to change the world's perception just makes me smile from ear to ear. Your story is truly inspiring Tara! Thanks so much for taking the time to let us into your world. Keep making magic and doing YOU!

We've made a special "I breastfeed, SO WHAT!?" slouch tee just for this occasion! If you'd like to grab one for your favorite breastfeeding mom, they are slouch style and SUPER easy to pull down in front or up from bottom for easy access!

Just click here to shop - Enter code TARARUBY for $5 off of your order! 

When you think about shopping at Target where does your mind go? Probably to a happy place. Think about that adorable little $1 rack full of cute things you don’t need but fill your cart with anyway. The fact that some stores have a Starbucks inside and also sell wine! How they somehow figure out exactly what you like and with their sales, RedCard, and Cartwheel, you feel like you are part of an exclusive club!

So why shop at Target when you could shop elsewhere for cheaper?

It’s their client experience! 

Now more than ever, consumers are more concerned with their shopping experience rather than “getting the most bang for their buck,” so to speak. They want to feel good! The same thing is true when searching for photographers. With so many talented photographers, it’s not just about creating beautiful images. Clients want to know your story and they are looking for an amazing experience with you!

Everyone is capable of creating an awesome customer experience and with these quick tips, you’ll be able to nail the client experience and fill your calendar faster than you can keep up with!

Picture Your Ideal Client!
Who are they? What do they do? Where do they shop? Before you can start creating an incredible experience, you must first figure out who your “person” is. Because what might be a great experience for someone, might not be the best for someone else. Some people actually don’t care for Target (I don't know who they are but I know they are out there!)

Tailor Everything to Them
Your branding, your wording, your everything - make it for your ideal client. Yes, we will all have some clients that are less than ideal but to continue filling your calendar with quality clients, make sure you are creating things to fill THEIR needs. Take control of what you put out there!

Identify Their Pain Points… & Fix Them!
Nothing makes a person feel better than having someone take a problem off their hands. This is the perfect and easiest way to make someone feel good! Brides stressed about timelines? Create it for them! Grooms don’t know how to tie their bow ties? Teach them! Couples unsure on how to go about planning their big day? Educate them. This is an incredible way to not only elevate their experience but it establishes you as an expert in your field!

Go Above and Beyond
Under promise and over deliver. In everything! This is the motto I live by! If you live by this motto and treat every single client interaction like it’s super important, your clients will feel valued, heard, and understood. That’s what anyone wants, right?! Look for ways to be there for your clients instead of just focusing on the job at hand. Figure out ways you can help them!

Everyone Likes a Good Surprise
Just like I love the surprise treasures I’ll find at the clearance aisles at Target, your clients like being surprised too! Whether it’s during your first meeting and you surprise them with a gift or you stay an hour extra during their wedding day to ensure they get every single photo they need, don’t be afraid to surprise them once and a while. An unexpected treat can go a long way. 

Tips to Help you Elevate that Client Experience even more!

• Create an awesome meeting environment 
• Offer discounts if they order products
• Surprise them with thoughtful gifts
• Offer to help with additional planning
• Educate them on ways to make sessions go smoother

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  Written by: @shaunaeteske

Hey friends! I'm thrilled you are here! I'm Shaunae - a wedding photographer, blogger, educator, wine lover, and cat mom who shares inspirational and educational posts for Strawberry Revolution to creatives and lady bosses just like you! 

Photo by Agostina Dimartino Photography

As Beyoncé says…

Who run the world? GIRLS!

Oh girl, if you are anything like me you are tired of “running your world.” Whether you’re raising kids, running a business, trying to turn your side hustle into your full-time job - it’s exhausting. As female entrepreneurs, we are constantly working on that balance of doing what’s right, getting the job done, and making sure everyone feels taken care of. Some days I’m sure you’re ready to throw in the towel. Ready to call it quits. But I’m here to tell you to keep going, to keep pushing, and to embrace your inner Lady Boss!

You are worthy. Worthy of greatness. Worthy of having everything you ever wanted. Worthy of creating a life worth loving. Don’t let the hardships and struggles of running a business force you to give up. Use it to push your further. Use it to make you stronger. 

Sister, you deserve whatever your heart desires! You are a Lady Boss! Fearless, strong, determined, hard-working, and incredible! You are fearfully and wonderfully made, never forget that. There is no one quite like you. You are a gift and you have SO much to offer to this world.

Photo by Agostina Dimartino Photography

So go out there and conquer that to-do list. Send those emails. Schedule those meetings. Crush those goals. Chase new dreams and win more battles. You’ve got this!

Lady Bosses of the world unite! Comment below if you are ready to make the most of today and embrace your inner Lady Boss!

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  Written by: @shaunaeteske

Hey friends! I'm thrilled you are here! I'm Shaunae - a wedding photographer, blogger, educator, wine lover, and cat mom who shares inspirational and educational posts for Strawberry Revolution to creatives and lady bosses just like you! 

It’s June! Which for most photographers means it’s almost wedding season (except for our friends in the South and in the hot climates.) If your wedding season is like mine, you know things can get super cray and busy in just a matter of weeks! To keep you sane, I’ve complied the perfect checklist to make sure you are totally relaxed, prepared, and ready for this crazy ride that we call Wedding Season. 

• Clean Your Gear

Whether you are sending it off to the Canon or Nikon Factory for professional cleaning or if you are doing it yourself, make sure your gear is in tip-top shape. Nothing ruins a wedding day faster than realizing your gear doesn’t work or your lenses are too dirty!

• Check Your Calendars

Verify all your dates and times. Create wedding day timelines for each couple. I have each wedding specifically marked in my calendar with notes on each day. Every month I review what’s coming up so I can be ready for anything!

• Prep Your Attire

What are your favorite outfits to wear on wedding day? Check out your closet and make sure you have the right clothing for all your weddings. For me, that means comfortable yet stylish dresses (must have pockets), comfortable footwear so I can stay on my feet, and cardigans for all those chilly reception spaces. I also love prepping my editing attire for when I get home. I lay out my comfiest pajamas, my favorite fuzzy blankets, and an adorable Straw Rev Studio Tie-Back to keep the hair out of my face and keep my eyes focused on editing! 

• Prep Your Back-up Gear!

Not just your camera gear, but your emergency back-up gear too! Band-aids, umbrellas, sewing kits - everything you need in case the day gets crazy! These items can be things that not only help you but could help the bride and groom and their guests too. Check out everything that’s in my emergency wedding day kit!

• Take Time for You

You know life is about to get crazy so give yourself some time once in a while to relax. Pour yourself a glass of wine, snuggle up in your favorite Straw Rev shirt, and binge on your newest Netflix obsession. Your body and your mind will thank you!

• Pop the Champagne and Do A Happy Dance

No matter how insanely busy wedding season gets, never forget out how lucky you truly are. To be a wedding photographer is a gift, we get to document the lives and love of some amazing couples. With each couple, I celebrate the fact that they trusted me with their special day. That gives me all the motivation I need to do this all again next week. 

How do you prep for your Wedding Season? What are some of your favorite tips and tricks to get ready?

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  Written by: @shaunaeteske

Hey friends! I'm thrilled you are here! I'm Shaunae - a wedding photographer, blogger, educator, wine lover, and cat mom who shares inspirational and educational posts for Strawberry Revolution to creatives and lady bosses just like you! 

"Learn the rules like a pro so that you can break them like an artist" that's what they say, right? There's nothing more freeing than knowing that you have the option to stray from the herd and do your own thing as an artist and business owner. What other job gives you that option? This "Rule breaking" way can make HUGE waves in your industry - in ANY industry!

I like to think of myself and StrawRev as a "break the rules" or "keep it weird" type business. I have ALWAYS chosen the path less traveled and I have never gone with the grain in any aspect of the business world. I am 100% self taught and my yearning to constantly go against the "rules" keeps us unique I guess. This is why there could not be a better brand to launch a tee collection with than Sarah Hill from Sarah-Beth Photography.

Sarah Hill is internationally known for her unposed family sessions and IMPECCABLE use of the the golden hour. In addition to that, in most recent years she has become a fashion influencer on Instagram. I'm not sure Sarah was one to even follow the rules the first place, but she has taken our industry by storm with her intentionally imperfect brand. She is truly a force to be reckoned with.

Even though we are in different industries, we have very similar business motives. She's got that Lady boss hustle guys! And well, she's my girl crush so - there's that too.

 I'd like to introduce to you - The Sarah-Beth Photography Collection!

"#RULEBREAKER" <--- Click to buy

"INTENTIONALLY IMPERFECT" <--- Click to buy

"DRY SHAMPOO. COFFEE. HUSTLE. #LADYBOSS" <--- Click to buy

These super soft shirts will be your new favorite go to for your spring/summer wardrobe! Grab one or grab 3. They are all so great!

OKAY OKAY, now onto our exclusive interview with the one and only Sarah Hill:

Sarah, please tell us a little bit about your brand and your story...

Ahhh where do I start?? I’m a nurse turned photographer. I hear there are a lot of us out there! I never thought this would be my path, but I’m abundantly grateful for it. I live in a small town outside of Indianapolis with my husband, our three kids and two crazy dogs, and I never ever want to leave here. Indy isn’t necessarily a destination location for many, but it’s home. Pretty early on in my journey, I honed in on family photography. I shot a little bit of everything, but ultimately my heart is with families—all families, and capturing every beautifully crazy dynamic there is. I also love community. I travel and teach other photographers all about my love for family photography and how to draw out that natural, emotional connection.

My brand. My brand is me. I am my brand. It’s liberating and powerful to be transparent on social media, and I’m very “what you see is what you get.” I want others to truly see me, see my work, read about my personal life and struggles and remind them that we’re all in this together, and you can absolutely sit with me. My personal life and my photography are so closely intertwined, and that’s a very intentional move on my part. I want anyone who books me for a session or workshop to feel as if they already know me, and every time I hear “I feel like I already know you!” I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I’m so grateful I’m able to connect with them on a personal level. I’m messy, imperfect, and embrace the chaos. Those personality and character traits translate to my work, and it’s a very seamless and easy brand to maintain.

In my opinion SB Photography is known for being full of emotion, beautifully styled, and intentionally unposed. In your words, what are three things you'd like your brand to portray?

Connection, emotion, love. Is it ridiculous that I started tearing up while writing that? THERE’S SOMETHING IN MY EYE.

What does "Intentionally imperfect" mean to you?
Oh, girl. In a world of social media perfection, I go against that mess. We all know balance is as rare as a unicorn, no one “wakes up like dis,” and life is full of heartaches, pain, marital complications, childrearing and raising woes, and just flat out sucky days. I won’t hide from that. I can’t portray my life as perfect, because that’s a lie. Some days are really hard. As I said before, I’m messy. I’m also fully aware of my character flaws, my shortcomings as a wife, mother, and friend, and I’m chaotic. To truly feel as if my personality can unapologetically come out in my work, I embrace and love my truly disastrous self.

During a family session, anything goes. A photo that makes me feel something is perfect, even in its technical imperfection. It may not be in focus. The lighting may be a little off. Hair may be out of place. Clothes get muddy. Snot boils over. Tempers flare. You know how it goes. I’ve used my shirt to wipe boogers, pinch off a nose bleed, and wipe duck poop off a child’s feet. I’ve also taken my own shirt off my back for a client. The shoes off my feet. The unpredictable-ness (I know, probably not a word) of family sessions is what makes them great. It’s what makes them real. It’s what makes them dynamic. Life isn’t perfect, why should photography be? And if we spend too much time trying to make a session perfect, we will never be happy with the art we create. After all, perfection is a myth.

Tell us 2 ways that have you broken the "rules" in our photography industry.

Oh man. Here we goooo! I shoot JPEG, not RAW. Depending on who you ask, I’m either a genius or an idiot--but it works for me. *shrugs shoulders*

And the second one? Hmmm. Probably the amount of photos I provide in a gallery that are either out of focus or don’t follow any rules of composition. When I’m culling and editing a session, if an image makes me feel something, it’s edited and included. No other requirements needed.

We know that Dry shampoo and coffee are your BAE, but what other Sarah Hill "must haves" should we know about?

My phone charger! I run my battery down multiple times a day. I have chargers all over my house.

Netflix while I edit, that’s a huge one. I usually watch reruns of Friday Night Lights (Team Riggins), New Girl (Team Schmidt) and Friends.

Shorts. I know that sounds so weird, but I have about 30 pairs of comfy pajama shorts and probably just as many denim shorts. I can’t go running around this house in just a t-shirt, my kids are way too modest for that. Ha! So, I have to have pants on, and I’m oddly more productive in shorts over pants.

Botox. Does that count?

In every Lady Boss's journey there is typically a certain point or event in your career when you realize it is time to start saying "no" to things that don't make your soul happy? Did you experience this along your journey? If so, tell us about that time and what you started doing differently.

Lucky for me, I realized very early on that I was good at saying no. If it didn’t make me happy, I didn’t do it. If it stopped making me happy, I quit doing it. Just like that. In all the years I spent as a nurse manager, I learned very well to always go with my gut, don’t hesitate, and problem solve as quickly as possible. Those things truly carried me through my early years in this business.

A specific turning point I can think of is back in 2013. My oldest son went through a period of anxiety and turmoil around that time, and that’s what catapulted me into streamlining my work schedule and also cutting back in nursing. It was a really dark and difficult time for both of us, but we are more connected now than ever. Putting him first, saying the “Right No” and “Right Yes” changed everything for me, personally and professionally. Saying no to a session or a workshop or a travel date means I’m saying yes to my kids. That’s how I gage every decision I make. My kids are 12, nearly 10 and nearly 8 years old. They need me more now than they ever did as babies—emotionally and physically. If you’re reading this and you’re not a parent, think about yourself for a minute. Self-care is one of the most important things in the world. Take care of you. Say no to sessions that you don’t need, sessions you don’t love, clients that drain you, a price haggler, or a genre that you don’t love. Saying no to the things that don’t bring you joy means you’re saying yes to some very important self-care.

We {major puffy heart} LOVE seeing you grow into this new role as a fashion and beauty influencer on ig! What would you say are 3 trends that are must haves for this upcoming summer?

Ahhh isn’t that crazy? It’s another thing to stay up with, but I love it! I love clothes, but I’m a simpleton in everything I wear. I rarely dress up, so my favorite thing to do is find a way to make my favorite basics fashion forward.

I don’t pride myself on being a “trendy” dresser, but a few trends I’ve seen and love are:

1. Mules. Backless loafers. Slides. Y’all. For real. I never thought mules would be my love language, but I’m obsessed. They’re so comfy, cute, perfect to slip on when running out the door, and they go with both shorts and denim. I have loved seeing this look come back around!

2. Flashdance shoulder. Lemme let you in on a little secret. I’m not a tiny girl. I have a big ol’ round belly, chubby arms, and back fat for dayyys (and don’t sit there rolling your eyes at me---I’ve seen me naked, you haven’t. At least, I don’t think you have…). Because of this, I’ve been really good at disguising those body parts by showing off other parts of my body I do like. My collar bone or my legs, for example. So, I’ve been fully committed to the “off-the-shoulder” wagon for the last five years. It wasn’t always as popular as it is now, and my youngest son used to get so mad and say “Why do your clothes keep falling off, Mom?” But being able to show a little shoulder without showing my whole chubby upper arm was a win-win for me, and it makes me feel pretty. It’s feminine but hides muh troubles. After telling you all this, I’m pleased to share that this look is all over the place now! Woot! It’s so much easier to find off-the-shoulder sweatshirts, t-shirts and dresses than it was five years ago. I used to rip and shred all to hell my shirts. Not anymore!

3. Graphic tees. I.can.not.get.enough.of.them. The obsession is real. As I said before, what you see is what you get. I’m transparent. I love sharing my life with you. I wore my “No Filter” t-shirt to speak at the Reset Conference this past March and didn’t get booed off stage. I’m all about this life. Graphic tees are everywhere now, and this is why it’s the most perfect time for this SBP/STRAWREV collaboration that I am so damn excited about! Not only do I love Michelle a creepy amount, she inspires me every day with her drive, her work ethic, and her genuine love of what she does. Being able to combine my love for photography and hers together, it’s a complete match made in heaven. And hey---you can wear them off the shoulder, too. With mules.

Wow! Love it so much! Let's end with some questions your fans are dying to have answered!

Have you had moments of feeling like you could give up? If so, how did you overcome that? Honestly, nope! I have days I’m tired or overwhelmed, but never days I want to quit. We all have moments of wanting to take a break from life in general, but I don’t direct that frustration at my business. I love the job, I’m good at setting limits, I love my clients.

What is the best piece of advice you've received? Hmmm, this is TOUGH. I don’t ask for advice often, that could be a downfall of mine. Let’s go with MY best piece of advice – if you want to flourish in this business, only shoot what you love and be the best boss to yourself you can.

How do you get dads/families to relax and act so natural? I tell them to not look at me. Their connection isn’t with me, it’s with their family. I give verbal props and cues. “Look at your wife. Act like you’re sniffing her neck. Whisper a secret in her ear. Grab hands and dance slowly. Put your forehead on her temple, etc. etc. If he still won’t stop looking at me, I’ll be more direct by saying “Don’t look at me at all. Look at anyone in your family, anyone but me. I’ll let you know when I need a shot of everyone smiling my way.” Remember that if you want a genuine connection and look of love out of him, his attention has to be on someone that he loves. Simple as that.

Best tip for getting your name/brand out? Keep plugging away on social media! Facebook, Instagram (hashtag everything!), Twitter. Facebook live, Instagram stories and live. Put yourself out there, remind potential clients that you’re booking, you love to shoot, and that you love to stay busy.

And of course the #1 question - Where do you buy your sweaters? Haha! Love me a good sweater moment. I love Free People and American Eagle. For the best oversized hoodies? Urban Outfitters. 

Holy moly what great depth you've given us! Thank you so much Sarah! Guys, this girl is the real deal! Feel free to comment below with your thoughts on this collection and exclusive interview!

If you'd like to grab a tee from Sarah's collection click here and add those babies to your cart!

We all have them. That dream that’s been in the back of our mind for longer than we can remember. Whether it’s running that marathon, accomplishing that goal, or going full-time with your creative business - chasing your dreams isn’t for the faint of heart. But it’s SO worth it! So stop putting it off and start chasing your dreams. Here’s five reasons why this year is your best year yet to make your dreams a reality! 

1. There is no time like the present

This is the only life we have! Let’s not waste it on filling our days with things we don’t love. Yes, there will always be chores to do, errands to run, deadlines to meet but let’s do it for things we love! Things we are passionate about! If not now then when? Let’s not wake up one day and realize our entire life has passed us by. Let’s turn “one day” into “day one!”

2. Why not?

But seriously, why not? Are you afraid you’ll fail? Are you afraid it won’t work out? I mean this as kindly as possibly…so what? What if you fail, what if it doesn’t work out, that’s not enough to stop you from chasing your dreams! If we let the “what ifs” rule our world, we would live these safe and boring lives never doing what we love! So what if you fail…but what if you thrive?! What if it’s the best decision you ever made?!

3. You’ll be happier

One of my favorite quotes that I live my life by is, “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” This could not be more true! As a full-time wedding photographer, I have worked harder and longer in the six years I have been doing this than any job I’ve ever had before. I stay up late, I can never turn off my work brain, and I am constantly looking for new ways to improve. But I’ve enjoyed it WAY more than anything else I’ve ever done. It fills me with so much joy knowing that I’m going out there everyday to do something I love! No matter what your dream is, if you follow it and work hard to make it a reality, you’ll be happier than if you just let it fade away!

4. Destiny is calling

There is a reason that nagging feeling hasn’t left your brain. A reason that dream hasn’t left your thoughts. It’s a part of you, your destiny, your life mission. It wouldn’t be in your mind if it didn’t belong there, if it wasn’t something you were MEANT to do. Why quiet it any longer when you could let it out and share it? Your dream is part of your destiny waiting to happen.

5. You are ready

Your dream will never be fully developed, there is always more to learn. Your dream will never be perfect, there are always ways to improve it. But my dear, you ARE ready. Done is better than perfect! Living out your dreams and following your heart is better than never sharing it with the world. You are strong, fearless, and brave. You are ready to make your dreams a reality and inspire others to do the same. Make this year, YOUR year!

  Written by: @shaunaeteske

Hey friends! I'm thrilled you are here! I'm Shaunae - a wedding photographer, blogger, educator, wine lover, and cat mom who shares inspirational and educational posts for Strawberry Revolution to creatives and lady bosses just like you! 

We thought we'd kick off the release of our new "Shine on" tees with a mini interview with one of the 23 UBER talented teachers at The Milky Way Retreat.

Let us introduce you to Susan Scott of Susan Scott Photography! Not only is she the ultimate MOM BOSS and a talented photographer, but she is a Full time Podiatrist! How does she do it all?? We may never know!

Susan is known around the world for her unique outdoor newborn photography. She uses gorgeous Southern California light and creative posing to create beautiful and dreamy Newborn ART. She truly is one of those 'ONE OF A KIND' photographers who stands out from the rest. She's carved out her style and brand in the industry so beautifully and we can all learn a whole lot from her!

Read her StrawRev mini interview below:

How did you start out? What was your set up like? What was in your newborn photography "starter set"?

Since I am an all-outdoor newborn photographer, I started with props out of the back of my van, and now my setup is still pretty much the same, except I added a wagon!

What is your VERY favorite newborn prop to use?

I love my vine basket that I found in a decor store.

What is your favorite color set to shoot?

Probably coral!

Favorite Pose?

Head on hands in a bucket!

It's hard to find your style when just starting out and usually takes years to finally settle in and be content with our work... What tips do you have for finding it a bit sooner than most?

I didn't think it was that difficult! I just stick with what appeals to *me*! Do you!!

Comparing yourself to others is the thief of joy... How do you stay true to your individual style and use your creativity to the fullest?

I only do newborn photography because I like it. If I didn't like it I would just stick to my job as a podiatrist. I stay positive and do what makes *me* happy. I don't worry about what anyone else thinks :)

Why is it important to invest in continuing education?

Learning new things inspires me! Keeps me in a forward motion and not stuck in a rut.

What do you think The Milky Way retreat can offer photographers that other workshops cannot?

It is such a motley crew of artists, there is something different to be learned from all the teachers! And you can do it from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace.

What does "Shine on" mean to you in terms of being an individual the photography industry?

Don't let anyone else dull your sparkle! And be a light for others! You can be the best you!

Susan, thank you so very much for taking time out of your busy MOM BOSS schedule to answer these questions for us!! We will continue to drool over your gorgeous Newborn ART until the end of time!

If you'd like more info on the classes that Susan offers in the Milky Way Newborn Retreat you can read about on her Facebook page or The Milky Way site! 

You can grab your very own "Shine on" tee or tank here:

For a limited time only!

 http://www.strawberryrevolution.com/products/shine-on-tee-or-tank-the-milky-way-strawrev

The Milky Way- Newborn Retreat is one of the *MOST* talked about newborn photography workshops in the history of workshops... 

This program gives you the opportunity to learn from 23 different teachers (who are the best in the industry) right from the comfort of your own home and at a fraction of the cost! You can watch the videos for each teacher when you have time in your busy schedule and at your own pace. Genius!

The whole concept of this online mentoring/workshop DIRECTLY benefits our target customer - Busy moms and women entrepreneurs that just don't have time in their schedule to attend a full workshop in one stretch. This is why we jumped at the opportunity to work with this amazing company on this new product and we are so excited finally share it with you all!

The theme for this year's Newborn Retreat is "Shine on"- Implying that whatever you do, do it with pride and do it YOUR way. Shine on and don't worry about what others are doing or saying. We think this is a great message to not only the photography industry, but also for life in general!

So, without further ado... We present to you our new Milky Way Retreat + StrawRev "Shine on" tee!

You can pre-order this tee in our shop by clicking here!

It is also available in a tank top version!We'd like to send a huge thank you to Lisa and Erin from The Milky Way for working with us on this collab!

You can read so much more about the retreats and the teachers at http://themilkyway.ca/newborn-retreat/

 Thanks for hanging with us!

-Michelle