Today we’d like to introduce you to Kassidy Baker.
Hi Kassidy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
The big question kids are repeatedly asked when they’re young – “what do you want to be when you grow up?” – I always answered the same: An artist! I loved drawing and pretty colors and creating beautiful things. My parents purchased their first home when I was six years old, a fixer-upper, and I had a front-row seat to their remodeling journey. My parents are dreamers, which I love, but another thing that is even cooler than that – they are doers too. They dream up something and then make it happen.
Looking back on my childhood, that is one of my fondest memories of them and something that made a big impression on me. They were also storytellers – especially my dad. He has a strong interest in history and people. It was a regular occurrence for him to give my siblings and me a mini-dissertation on the life and accomplishments of one of our ancestors, and then to ask one of us to tell him a story. Any story, true or from our imagination. I loved doing that.
I guess that’s a part of where my love for art and storytelling began. As I got older, I discovered my appreciation of photos and their ability to capture a moment.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The reason I bought my first “real” camera was not to start a business. I was a very young, newly married, (stressed) college student with a lovely C+ in math, and my husband told me I needed a hobby to help me decompress and have fun doing something other than studying and working. We laugh about it now, because he was the one who read the manual and then taught me how to make the camera function! This was such a great outlet for me, and it reminded me how much love I had for photos and capturing memories.
I started my business and began building a clientele, but then moved out of state, had my first baby, and commuted back to Dixie to finish my last two semesters of my Bachelor’s degree. Naturally, my business was not on the forefront of my to-do list, and it did suffer. After graduating, though, I was able to focus more on building the business in my new area. I met so many wonderful people and really stepped outside of my introverted comfort zone. That’s when things picked up and I go so busy – too busy – to the point that my personal life suffered. Balance is hard! I feel like, after more than ten years, I’m finally getting the hang of being a wife, mom of three, and business owner (most days). I moved my business back to Southern Utah more than 7 years ago and it has been on a slow, but steady, incline since. I photograph the most amazing and beautiful babies and families in St. George, and I’m not just saying that!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I think the most perfect art for any home is photos of the people who live in it. That’s what I hope to create for my clients – beautiful, natural artwork that tells the story of their family . . . and I want them to have a good time while we’re at it! We play games, say goofy things, and I work quickly and efficiently because I know that most people don’t want to spend more time in front of a camera than they have to – especially children and husbands, if they’re anything like mine.
Over time, I’ve definitely developed a love for all things families, and that’s where the focus of my business lies. Studio newborn photography is at the top of my list in terms of level of difficulty, but even more, my favorites. I also have a strong connection with capturing outdoor family photos. I grew up in Ivins, and my appreciation for the red rocks and all desert landscape runs deep.
My favorite feedback that I get from clients is, “that was so fun!” or “that wasn’t like family pictures, that was more like a fun, family activity,” or when my tiny clients ask their parents after their studio photos if they can stay and play longer. Not every session goes perfectly, but I always hope that my families have an enjoyable time together and with me.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I’ve noticed that the times I’m happiest and feel the most peace are those often-fleeting moments when my family is together and just simply getting along and enjoying our time with each other. Whether that’s adventuring in the mountains or even just chillin’ in the backyard, or when all my kids are snuggled up to their dad watching a YouTube video on his phone; that’s my happy place!
Family is everything, and I’m so grateful that I get the opportunity to capture that happiness in photos for other families to cherish forever!
Pricing:
- Newborn | starting at $450+tax
- Family | starting at $425+tax
- Baby and Child | starting at $225+tax
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.kassidybakerphotography.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kassidybakerphotography
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kassidybakerphotography
Image Credits
Kassidy Baker
