We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassie Skipper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassie, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Balance….what’s balance? lol When I started photography 8 years ago, I looked at balance as only a noun. I would make comments to myself like “You need balance” or “I want balance.” I viewed it as a lifestyle for years. As my business grew over time I eventually got overwhelmed and finally opened my eyes to see what I was missing. In order for me to feel like I had achieved balance I needed to make it a verb instead of a noun in every part of my life, especially my business. I started telling myself “You NEED to balance your schedule” or “You NEED to learn to say no.” I had to learn what my best yes was and know that it was okay to say no to certain things. It took many years to get to a point where I felt comfortable turning work down or just saying no because it wasn’t what was right at the moment for myself and family. I had to set boundaries – I mean thick bold line boundaries. Once I started doing, and not just hoping, my business and family life started dating each other again. Balance is and will always be a hard thing to achieve and keep. There are seasons in my business and life where it doesn’t always happen, but when it does it’s magical.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’ve been a photographer since 2014. I didn’t know too much about what I was doing quite honestly, I just knew I loved taking pictures. I started with indoor lifestyle portraits and fell in love with the natural light pouring from the windows. I was intrigued with the concept of slightly turning a face towards or away from a window and watching the results of the light as it fades or illuminates an area. I quickly moved from indoors to outdoors and learned everything manual. It was a learning curve but one I wasn’t afraid of. I learned the do’s and dont’s and what gave the best results. I learned what my clients liked and grew my business into something I would have never imagined for myself. I transitioned into a full time family photographer and travel photographer, specializing in seniors and school photography. If it moves, I capture it. I love what I do and it seems to love me back. I’m so grateful for my clients and blessed beyond measure to get to call this work.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First I would take them north! The north Ga Vineyards are some of my favorite places to visit that are close to home. I’m a wine lover and enjoy anything cozy and relaxed. Then we would head south to Savannah for shrimp and grits and a long night at the dueling piano bar ending the trip with a famous Savannah ghost tour!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s so many people in my story that deserve recognition but the one person who has been the fuel behind the fire would be my husband of 20 years. He never told me no but always yes, never told me it was impossible but that it was doable. He was there to watch our children when I needed to be out behind my camera and he’s always there for every crazy idea or new prop I need built to help me along the way. He is my biggest fan and is the power to my success in not only business but life.

Website: www.atheartphotography.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/atheartphotography

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atheartphotography/

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