Today we’d like to introduce you to Kacie Tennet.
Hi Kacie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always had a passion for photography, but pursued pediatric nursing professionally as I love working with kids and helping others. I worked as a nurse at our local children’s hospital for over six years, where I met my now-husband. When I got pregnant with our son during the pandemic, I knew I wanted to pursue a career change that allowed me the flexibility to take care of my son, while also still serving families and kids. With encouragement from friends and family who I’d photographed over the years, that’s when I made my transition to starting my business as a lifestyle newborn and family photographer. I’ve spent so much of my adult life supporting families through difficult times, and now I get to capture families during some of the happiest moments of their life! The business has grown to include not only lifestyle photography, but weddings, branding, and corporate photography.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Yes and no! It was smooth in the sense that I was finally happy doing something creative and found new clients quickly. But it was difficult in that I knew nothing about owning a small business and left my safe nursing career to pursue something completely different. It was a big learning curve. I think our generation puts our identity in our careers, so making that transition from “I’m a nurse” to “I’m a photographer” felt foreign and difficult. I’m learning I can be both a nurse, photographer, wife, mom, friend, etc. After all, women are superhuman!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in affordable in-home lifestyle newborn and family photography. This differs from traditional newborn photography in a few ways. Traditional newborn photography is offered in the studio, with your newborn posed with props. Lifestyle photography focuses on the emotions and connection you have with your newborn. Both are beautiful in their own ways, and both take different expertise!
I know the last thing I wanted to do postpartum was leave the house with my newborn during a pandemic. So as the photographer, I come to your home for the session. It’s my goal to capture the joy, anticipation, excitement and newborn bliss in the space where you feel most comfortable with your baby.
My experience as a pediatric nurse sets me apart in the photography business because I have years of experience taking care of families and newborns during the most intense and intimate moments of their lives. Newborn photography offers the same intimacy, but captures what you as a parent have been anticipating for the last nine months- your baby, in your arms, in your home.
I’m most proud of the relationship I’ve built over the last year, with my clients and fellow creatives. These relationships have opened up opportunities I never dreamed of- photographing weddings as well as photographing and meeting families from our local Austin FC soccer team! I am so excited to see where this business goes!
What does success mean to you?
Success to me means building long-term relationships with clients, and pursuing what makes you happy. So many people who seem “successful” aren’t happy in what they do- I mean, that’s one of the reasons I left nursing during the pandemic. While my career seemed successful from the outside looking in, my mental health was suffering.
Since starting this business, I feel more like myself than ever. If I have clients who love their photographs and return to me year after year, as well as a healthy work-life balance, I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Pricing:
- Newborn sessions starting at $475
Contact Info:
- Website: kacietennet.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kacietennetphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KacieTennetPhotography
Image Credits
Kacie Tennet Photography
