Blog Posts - BAILEY KELLER PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGNS

1/7/2022 0 Comments

I'm back BABY!

Oh hey, it’s me, Taylor again! I'm here to give you the tea on what it's like as a new mama.

- So like, I'm a MOM now?
I had an incredible time getting to snuggle and cuddle my little babe, Leo, for the past few months, soaking in everything I possibly could on maternity leave! I cannot thank Bailey enough for giving me time to get to know this crazy little nugget that we brought into the world. They tell you you'll be tired... but you never really truly understand how tired until it happens. Having the new title of "mom" is still weird to me. I've always wanted to be a mom, but it's still so new and I'm not used to it. Maybe when Leo starts calling me mom it'll stick...

- Hi, I'm scared
I was scared to be a mom. It is something I have always wanted, but once it happens, there's no going back! Skyler and I had been married for less than 2 months when we got pregnant. I was so unbelievably happy yet terrified all at the same time. It's scary taking the plunge of becoming parents and risking your relationship becoming #2 to your child. But there is just something about watching your husband become a father that really triggers a different area of love in you. The second I saw Skyler hold Leo was just so natural. I fell in love allll over again and still do each day watching him take care of both of us. The biggest thing I'm trying to do is remind him every day how much I appreciate what he does for us, because damn it's a lot. He's an incredible dad on top of being an incredible husband.

- Did you cry today? Yup.
With all the ups, there's downs to match, that's for sure. To say I haven't cried almost every day would be a complete lie. It's hard. Like really hard. The entire process of becoming a parent AND then all these hormones come crashing down, you know, just to add a little sprinkle on top to your emotions. Trying to figure out this new little human that came into your life, even after you have prepped for 9 months, is still a shock to the system. They always ask "when are you going to have kids?" But they never tell you that you're going to get 3 hours of sleep some nights, if that. They don't tell you that this kid needs to eat every 3 hours, even if that means at 2am. Thank goodness for apps that help you track that stuff! They don't tell you that this thing is going to cry - but here's the catch: you don't know why - so you just gotta try a ton of stuff until it works. And then remember how that cry sounded so you know what is wrong the next time even though you're running on 2 minutes of sleep. What a ride, amiright?!

- Did you smile at me or did you just poop?
With all of those things eating away at you, trust me, it gets better. It's hard, but it gets better. Before I knew it, Leo was 10 weeks old. How does that happen when to me it felt like 10 days? I can't tell you how much my heart exploded when Leo smiled at me for the first time. No, not like "I just pooped and you just happened to look at me at the same time" look. Like actually smiles at you because he's happy to see you. To me, that was worth those sleepless nights and endless amounts of Diet Mt. Dew, who is my best friend now. It might come naturally to some people, but Skyler and I have agreed that parenthood is tough. But it is WAY more rewarding than tough. The good has already outdone the tough. And we have realized now how much support I have. I cannot thank my family and friends for how much support and love I feel from them. There are people I haven't talked to since high school or college that have reached out just to tell me that they've been there and I'm not alone. Or to just come over and let me take a shower, that's some sort of support that I can't comprehend and am forever grateful for.

- My "first-time mom" is showing
Here's my tidbit of advice and then I'm out: If you're a new mom, you're going to hear allll the advice and stories. Sometimes from people who know what they're talking about, but also a lot of people who have no clue. You listen to who you want and forget the rest. YOU are the best mama for your kiddo, no one else. There's a reason your little one chose YOU. But for real, if you have any tips and tricks, I'm all ears! I just found out that all diapers have yellow lines that turn blue when it's dirty...

- 'Tis Time! Let's do the dang thing!
ALRIGHT! Now I’m ready to jump back into the grind and back to being Bailey’s right hand girl! You’ll be seeing me helping with social media, emails and getting everyone ready for their sessions! While I was on maternity leave, Bailey had to come and visit our little guy and capture us in our element, of course! Go ahead and peep the AMAZING photos Bailey got of our little fam. Cue the tears for how quickly Leo has grown already! I missed you all and can’t wait to catch up! I'm ready for wedding season and everything in between! Hit us up if you just got engaged, our 2022 is crazy busy already but we've got some Fridays open!

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1/4/2022 1 Comment

An Update From Bailey

2021, hmmmm….
Should we address the ugly so we can talk about the pretty? Probably. 2021 had me on the highest high and also on the lowest low.
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Some know, some suspect and most have asked. My husband and I have decided to split and take our lives in different directions. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, but I wouldn’t be in this situation if I didn’t think it was the right thing to do. Situations arose, but I don’t think I need to share that with my 2000+ followers. I’m wrecked, I’m sad, but I’m ready.
Another ugly was losing my sweet Motzy. My Saint Bernard pup was taken a lot earlier than expected. FFFF cancer, am I right?
My mental health consumed me in the worst way. But we’re working on it.
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Now that we’ve taken care of the ugly….
I'm still on a high from my 2021 work life. Higher then I’ve ever been and I don’t even know how I’m going to top it. But that’s the 2022 goal isn’t it? Stay blessed, booked, happy and a little bit richer. We’ve got 26 weddings and counting on the calendar for 2022. I might step back slightly on the family sessions, but I'm a busy body and that probably won’t happen (IYKYK). Scheduling will just be tighter and I’ll need a little more patience from my beautiful clients.

2022 goal? Travel. If I’m not shooting I’ll be gone. I’ll take any travel tips and location suggestions you have! I like adventurous trips but I also love baking in the sun. Hit me up!

2021 pretties! Waffles. My new addition to the fam. Waffles is a golden retriever and he’s about 6ish months now. He’s crazy but sweet. He’s obsessed with my other pooch, Snoopy. They’re my life. Crazy dog mom over here and I’m proud of it. Dog hair is my cheapest accessory.

I don’t know. I guess 2021 pretty much sucked, personally. But it’s giving me the opportunity to grow into a better butterfly in 2022. So bring on the busy life and let’s have some fun!

<3 Bailey

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8/21/2021 1 Comment

Do something that scares you: Why Taylor is here.

(My way of telling my students/“kids” I love them, but I had to follow my heart)
It wasn’t easy to make the choice to step away from teaching - a profession I’ve been in for 6 years. My love of the sciences, teaching a younger generation and attempting to make an impact on their lives in a way that led them to be better people was a calling I had in college, and probably even before that. It was really tough to leave. I definitely cried over it, for weeks. Thinking about leaving those kids was on my mind constantly. You never really know how much you love your students until you don’t see them every day. But, I knew something was missing in my life, something was wearing on me. My mental health was struggling and the stress I was experiencing was not what I wanted every day. I had lots of support while teaching, from my administrators, my colleagues, even from my students. But sometimes, you have to follow what your heart is telling you.

I’ve always been a person who falls in love with a lot of different things. I love Shark Week, I love planning lessons, I love decorating my home, I love dogs, I love details in things that some people might not notice, but make a huge difference. One of the things I’ve noticed since I got married to my incredible, compassionate, hilarious, goofy husband was how much I love love. If that makes sense? He’s made me a sap.

I love seeing other people follow their dreams, follow their hearts. I love seeing people who have found their person and get lost in how much they love each other. I love seeing it expressed during their engagement sessions and even more on their wedding day. That’s something I’m able to see each and every day with my new job. I’ve only been with Bailey Keller Photo and Design for a few months now, but I can feel that I’m truly excited for the future and whats to come.

I’m never good at posting too much about what’s going on in my life but this career change was pretty big. I felt like I owed those kids, my kids, a little explanation. (My kids refers to all those I’ve taught, you’ll always be “my kids” )
This was a big, terrifying, exciting step in a direction that was completely unknown. However, one that I think has made me happier. And by golly I love getting to know couples and watching their love unfold at every event. Teaching will always have a special place in my heart, and those kiddos will always be “my kids.” They won’t get rid of me that easily as I plan to sub throughout the school year when I have time. I hope that I was teaching my kids something when I told them I was leaving: the lesson that you need to make sure that you are doing something that scares you, challenges you, but ultimately makes you happy.

I guess here’s my point: do something that scares you. Not everything is going to be easy, especially when you’ve been in something secure for so long. Your fear should never hold you back from doing something you love. This doesn’t mean you get rid of your fear, it just means that you meet it and tell it that you can do new things, even with it alongside you.

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