Towler Photography

Did I tell you I officially opened my own photography business?  Towler Photography is now open for business in Coralville, Iowa and the surrounding area like Iowa City, North Liberty...even Wellman!  I thought about naming my business Ivy Towler Photography but someday when my husband becomes a partner photographer... he may like it to just be Towler Photography.  As it is, he runs the techy part of the business and he's helping me with the accounting and legal and camera stuff... so really... he is a big part in this already!
You can find Towler Photography on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/TowlerPhotography and after this weekend {fingers crossed}... you will find me/us over here too: http://towlerphotography.com/

I have been busy taking photos.
Lots of photos...
More than a normal person should take, photos.
So many that my husband was considering treatment options for me, photos.
It is part of who I am and has been for many, many years.  My passion for it has taken off since the dawn of affordable digital cameras and the birth of our first child which was over 10 years ago.  Since then I have taken thousands of kiddo photos, flower and tree photos and the ever popular "look what I'm eating" photos which are mostly captured on my iPhone!

For a long time I was against taking my hobby and turning it into a job.  I was afraid I would end up hating it. A non-passionate chore running on someone else's schedule...  There were other fears too: Would the photos be what people want? Would I take too much time away from my family? How am I going to run a business?  How much work will it really be?  And lastly, What if I'm successful?  Then what happens?? 

Ugh... I cried tears before I made this decision.  I wished so badly I could talk to my mom, with out fail, she was my confidence.  She always believed in me, always saw the best in me.  My husband had to play the part this time.  I think he was a little uncomfortable with my tears and the fearful look I wore but he did it.  He told me I could do it.  He told me I was really good at photography.  I won't forget our moment in the kitchen, Scott walking out the door for a meeting and then stopping to make sure I was ok, me standing there frozen wondering what in the hell I was doing and then finally turning to my computer and filling out the necessary paperwork to start a business.  That was it, my leap.  I did it.  I know my mom would be proud and I am so thankful my husband took on the job as cheerleader and adviser!  He believes in me and that was the push I needed.

Now I am a photographer.  I like to take pictures, I like to tell a story with the photo, I am a good photographer {I'm not tootin' my horn here, people tell me this... I was told to always say this so I would believe it... it's part of my conditioning!}.

I'm learning that newborn photography is similar to the roll of being a grandparent {or so it seems}.  You get to hold a yummy little baby, inhale their newborn scent, then inspiration hits so you can create and capture their sweetness with your camera. When you are done, the parents get to do the work of parenting. This is pretty darn cool in my book!  Lastly, after going home and making a few corrections with editing software, you get to present the finished photo as a gift.  Who doesn't like to give gifts?  This is a win-win for sure :-)

 A one week old little girl holding her Great-Grandmother's Pearls!

This weekend will be website building with my husband in between wrestling matches with our 4 children, house charming that wasn't finished during the week, organizing and sorting through the crap I somehow collect but can't get rid of, finalizing the wall colors for my in-home tiny studio {and a color for the master bath}, eating healthy and of course SNUGGLING--my favorite family activity.

 My daughter and her friend modeled for me, they love their boots :-)

What are your weekend plans???

Oh, and one last thing before I go:  I was sweetly mentioned over at Julie Cove's website, Alkaline Sister's! She's like famous!!!  I officially met her at The Creative Connection Event in St. Paul.  She has been on my recommended "Best Foodies" blogs to read at the bottom of this page. I've had her listed for awhile now so maybe you have already visited her!!  She has taken on a HUGE task of going to school OOT for 4 days a week to follow her passion in Holistic Nutrition and then she travels home for the 3 day weekend where she spends time with her supportive and loving family.  She is showing such strength!  Please take the time to enjoy her blog AND leave her a comment to keep her spirit going!  Julie and her sister have been posting recipes and educating us on a healthier lifestyle for a good while now.  A true inspiration for everyone and now I get to call Julie my friend!

Julie and Me after she autographed her article in the "Where Women Cook" magazine.

Thank you for stopping by! 

Cheers~Ivy