Member Interview: Stephanie Dix
Stephanie is a talented photographer who is dedicated to capturing families. She offers richly detailed images and that showcase the tender connections between people as they move through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Stephanie is located in Central Vermont and she serves folks in the surrounding areas.
What services do you offer to folks during conception, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum?
I offer emotive, relaxed photography for each stage of growing your family: Maternity, Newborn, and Families. All of my photography sessions are offered at the client’s home or at a beautiful outdoor location.
How did you get into your line of work?
After my children were born, all I could do was take photographs of them. Each month I would take their photographs to capture how much they changed in such a short time. Having these beautiful photographs on my walls of my growing children made me want to provide this photography for other families. But I was obsessed with creating photographs that didn’t just prove that these families existed- I wanted to create beautiful art with them that captured what this moment in their lives represented. I am so proud that I am able to provide families with beautiful portraits and memories that they will cherish for years to come.
What do people think you do to support folks?
People often think that family photography is more of a service that delivers pretty pictures than a support for families. But photography can be so healing, especially during pregnancy and the post partum time when its hard to take a step back and see how beautiful you and your family are.
What do you actually do to support folks?
What I actually do is more complex- through these photographs parents are able to see the beauty that their lives truly are. I create an experience for them to spend quality time focusing on one another, it’s really a time to slow down. My goal for maternity sessions is to show mom how beautiful and strong she is in the work she is doing to bring her baby into the world. While maternity sessions are focused on mom, their partner and other children are included in the session as well, as the whole family is celebrating and welcoming a new member of the family. Newborn sessions capture such a fleeting time- babies change so much in such a short period. It’s hard to remember all the little details of their expressions, the little flakes of skin peeling on their toes, or how their hair beautifully swirled on the top of their head. But I also emphasize that not every family is ready for a newborn session when their baby is one week old. That’s why all of my newborn sessions are in-home and baby-led. I go to clients homes when they are ready for me, and there is plenty of time for feeding, soothing, and diaper changes.
What is something that you feel like you are uniquely able to help people with?
I especially love to help moms feel beautiful during their pregnancy, as that is something that I had to overcome when I was pregnant with my children- feeling beautiful when there is so much about myself that was changing. I am able to connect with clients in a laid-back and relaxed way so that they have a really great experience during their photo session. I have no expectation of how children are supposed to behave, or that your baby won’t cry, because they will- they’re babies! I cultivate a relaxed photography session experience so that we capture your real moments as they are happening.
What is the one piece of advice you find yourself telling people over and over again?
I tell my clients- no worries! If your house is messy, I’ll move things around when I get there. If your baby needs to eat or be changed, take a breath and do that. If your child needs a snack break or to just chill out for a few minutes, we have the time. Creating meaningful photographs that capture the little everyday moments of people’s lives takes time, and I never want anyone to feel rushed.
What are the top 3 questions people ask when they first start to work with you for support?
1. When is the best time for our maternity session?
Answer: The best time for your maternity session is somewhere between 30-35 weeks pregnant. You want to be showing well so we can see your gorgeous baby bump, but we don’t want to wait too long that you are uncomfortable during your session.
2. Can we do some outdoor photos during our newborn session?
Answer: Absolutely! While we do have to take the weather into consideration, I love stepping outside of your home for a bit to capture your new family outdoors.
3. My house is so messy- I don’t know if we can photograph here?
Answer: I have photographed in many a cluttered home, so yes, we can definitely photograph in your home! In my in-home session tips I tell my clients to just tidy the rooms we will use during your session- your entire home doesn’t have to be perfect! Take a laundry basket and fill it with the things you don’t want in your images and put it behind a closed door. I’ll also move things around and out of the way when I arrive if I see anything that should not be in your photographs.