The Mommy Interviews with Cheyenne of The Schultzes
When I first started out as a wedding photographer I kept a little notebook filled with blank pages. I would cut out pictures from magazines or print images off the internet of poses and couples that I found inspirational. I had a fire to learn and everywhere I looked I saw photographers who were doing amazing things and creating beautiful work.
One of those photographers was Cheyenne of The Schultzes, a husband and wife photography team based in North Carolina. I would spend hours reading through their blog, continually inspired and encouraged by not just their beautiful work, but their hearts as well. Many images in that little notebook of mine are theirs and Iβm so thankful for the creative push they inspired in me through their own work! (Image by Emily Chidester)
Years later Cheyenne continues to inspire. Not only is she an established photographer but she is also Mom to two of the most adorable kiddos. She shares openly on her blog and Instagram about the joys and challenges of balancing life as a Mom, Wife and Photographer. As a Mom myself I very much relate to her stage in life and love how she always strives to put her family at the forefront. Cheyenne and Geoff are an amazing example of what it looks like to love their family and serve their clients and business well. I am continually amazed at how they use their gifts not only as photographers but as parents to bless others!
Which is why I am over the moon excited to introduce you to Cheyenne today! She is such a source of encouragement to me as a Mom and business owner and I just knew she had to be a part of the Mommy Interviews! I hope that you are encouraged and empowered by the wisdom and insight she will be sharing. Letβs get to it!
Cheyenne, thank you so much for taking part in the Mommy Interviews, I cannot wait to dive right in! First would you mind sharing how long youβve been in business and how long you have been a Mum?
Goodness gracious, thank you so much for that warm introduction and for allowing me to be a part of this fantastic series, Deb. Geoff and I started our photography business in spring of 2007 (take that statement with a grain of salt...when we started, Geoff was 2nd shooting for me with our point and shoot camera! :)) and then had our first baby in 2010. Itβs so crazy how fast 8 years can go by...having kids will do that, I suppose! Our son, Boone, is currently four and a half and our daughter, Crew, is two.
How has having children changed not only your business but your life?
A better question might be to ask how has having children NOT changed my business and my life. :) In no particular order...
+ Simple tasks now take triple the amount of time to complete when children are present.
+ Our once a month date night has become sacred....and expensive. $10/hour just for childcare adds up really quick!
+ I get a lot less sleep.
+ We have to limit how often and how far we can travel for work...especially when both of us are shooting.
+ I became a hypochondriac and should buy stock in hand sanitizer. Having to leave a sick kid with a babysitter when we have a wedding to photograph is just about my least favorite thing.
+ At any given time I will have unanswered emails that have been at the bottom of my inbox for three months. And I give myself grace for those.
+ Using the restroom without a child busting in to ask me what I am doing is a distant memory.
+ My house is a lot more messy. Cheerio dust on the couch. Permanent grime from sticky, dirty, greasy little fingers going up the walls of my stairwell. Baby dolls with no clothes on, plastic binoculars, itty bitty dinosaurs and about a million stuffed animals regularly litter the floor of my home.
+ I have to be a lot more discreet when I eat my chocolate.
+ It took me a couple of years to realize it, but I learned that if I was going to make my way to the surface...and stay there...I was going to need help. Help with business and help with life. Hiring a studio/personal assistant to help us 10 hours a week and a housekeeper every other week has been the best money I have ever spent.
+ Getting "me time" feels like luxury. Truly, when I get to go to the grocery store by myself, I might as well be on a cruise.
+ I find enjoyment in really simple things (like watching inchworms crawl across the sidewalk) as I get to re-experience the wonder of the world through the eyes of my kids.
+ My heart grew about 10 sizes after I had Boone. And then it grew 5 more after I had Crew. I love those kids so much that it hurts.
