Feature Friday - Katie Donnelly Photography
Jenny and I LOVE all things Paris. We came across Katie’s work while following a fellow Chicago Francophile on Instagram who was partnering with Katie for a giveaway. Jenny and I LOVE giveaways…lol, who doesn’t?! Well, Jenny won a Paris photoshoot with Katie, and we fell in love with Katie! Read on to learn more about Katie and her business.
Tell us a bit about yourself before you became a mom, and also how you changed when you had kids.
Hey there! I'm Katie Donnelly, I have a family photography studio in Paris, France. I'm originally from New York and moved here to France a decade ago to be with my (now) husband. We love to travel, are really close with our families, and are big foodies. I became a mom in 2019 with the birth of my daughter. I'm definitely the same person for the most part as before being a mom except a few things: I've learned to be way more flexible, I've learned to ask for help (especially with the kids!), and I'm a lot more aware of the world and how I'm treating it for future generations (environmentally, politically, etc). My likes are still the same, though I find that once you become a parent it takes way more energy to prioritise yourself and your relationships. My husband and I really make a point to go out with friends (separately and together) a few times a month and to fill our OWN cups along with filling up the kids cups (if you know what I mean.). None of this happened overnight, I'd say my first days of motherhood were very difficult between transitioning into learning how to care for a small child, building confidence in myself, and learning how to manage the transition within my husband and I's relationship. Also postpartum depression didn't help.
How would you describe what you do and what inspired you?
Through our artwork, we help families see every day what's most important: Each other, your love, and making memories together. In other words, we make joyful family portraits and shine light on "everyday" moments, and everyday love. My inspiration is people. I love people, I love love, and I think it's important to celebrate happy moments and see that every day on your walls.
What has been a highlight of your business/project? What’s been a highlight of being a mom?
A highlight is always meeting new people and hearing everyone's story. You truly realize how we are all so similar and mostly want the same things out of life: a happy home, time enjoying each other, and the occasional adventure. It was also super cool to be voted best portrait photographer in Paris!! I've since spoken at a few conferences and grown my business from a solo show to now a team of 5 incredibly smart and creative women. Lots of highlights actually. I'm super lucky.
Parent highlight: Being present in the everyday of our life, traveling with our kids, seeing them learn and grow.
How do you take time to focus on yourself while balancing parenting?
I just take it. No excuse needed. When my daughter was 1, I was diagnosed with cancer. For 6+ months through chemo I couldn't physically be her number one caretaker as before; instead it was my husband, in-laws, and my mom who became the defaults. I had to very quickly learn to ask for help. I had to learn to just take my own time to rest. You shouldn't have to get cancer to learn how to take time for yourself…instead, talk to your partner about both getting time outside the home for yourselves and your outside friendships too. We also pay for babysitters and outside of the help from our families. We have really active grandparents too which we are very very lucky and grateful for.
What tips would you give to other moms to feel successful or empowered?
Hire help. Stop trying to do it all. You literally cannot. You do not have enough hours in the day. If you can't hire help, then ask for more help from family and friends. I have no shame asking for help. I'm not superwoman, I cannot "do it all." Raising children is a job for a village, the more people in your village, the more love your kids get to have. I love that my kids have their own relationships with their grandparents and cousins. I love that they have their own things! It's SOOO special. Also make sure the balance of labor in the household is there. When you're doing all of the child raising, the less empowered you make your partner. If you try and do it all, then they don't get the same opportunity to learn how to parent their children in their own way. The balance of labor is also about respecting each other. My husband is able to work and grow in his career because of the time that I spend with the kids. I'm able to grow my business because of the time he spends with the kids. Balance.
Also one last thing: define what success means to you. Is it a financial thing? A feeling? Attaining a goal? What does it look like to you. Once you define a goal and then create a roadmap to get there, "success" all of a sudden feels way easier.
How can people learn more about you & what you do?
Please visit my studio's website to see our Paris family photography work: www.katiedonnellyphotography.com or follow us on Instagram at @katiedonnelly_
