You’ll remember that I recently decided that I wanted to expand the blog a little and introduce some new features. I noticed that a lot of the people I chat to on a regular basis are mums who also run their own businesses. I decided to include a feature called Mum-preneur on the blog where I will be introducing you to new mum-preneurs and their products.
Mum-Preneur of the moment number one is Joanna Fitzpatrick. If you head on over to her page you may recognise a certain cheeky chappy 
Joanna specialises in family photography and captures those special moments in our lives whether they are second birthday parties, new puppies, weddings or new born tiny people. Her style is to capture true to life moments rather than staged poses. By doing this she has been able to perfectly capture the personality of all she photographs, human and animal alike. I know that every single photo she has captured of H-bomb, McD, Susie (the 4Parts pooch) and I have brilliantly displayed our personalities and the love we have for one another. Joanna was also one of the official photographers for Miss Staffordshire 2013. Forgive me for flooding this post with photographs but I just couldn’t narrow my selection down, and as Joanna is a photographer I figured it would be okay
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m Joanna, I’m 23 and a proud Mummy to my two princesses, Charlotte (6) and Lauren (4), and lucky girlfriend to Daniel. I’m and open book and I wear my heart on my sleeve.
Joanna’s Family
Tell us about your business
I started my business, Joanna Fitzpatrick Photography, in February 2013. Photography is my passion and was my hobby. After posting some of my pictures onto my personal Facebook page I had people contacting me, asking me to take photographs professionally for them. I wasn’t comfortable accepting payments whilst I was uninsured so my lovely partner registered the business for me and I sorted some insurance, the rest they say…is history. It’s taken off better than I could ever have hoped for in the first year. I like to focus on ‘Natural Photography,’ using natural lighting and featuring the subject in a relaxed environment they are used to. Making the client feel comfortable with me is paramount as this allows their personality to shine through. I focus on the bits between the ‘poses’ where a couple will laugh together, a child will smile at Mummy and a dog will chew my new dress (thanks). When I capture a couple they will often kiss for a pose, but honestly the way they look at each other after they kiss is the best, some are full of love and some are full of giggles because they feel naughty. I am very passionate about photography and even more passionate about capturing happy moments, and giving something of such value to people.
Why did you choose to start up your own business rather than getting a regular job?
I was bringing too much stress home whilst working in retail and was away from my daughters too much!
A perfect moment
How do you juggle your time between being mum and business woman?
My daughters visit their Dad and I try to plan most of my work around them being there, so when they are with me my work is minimal.
What is the best thing about your job?
Having more time with my girls, and knowing that I have captured people’s most precious memories for them. I feel incredibly lucky.
New born Photography
Family Photo shoots
How do you stay motivated?
I am very passionate about what I do, meaning it’s not a chore. I do get stressed when I have a lot of editing to do as I hate to keep people waiting and that spurs me on.
What is your favourite quote?
In the end, it’s not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away.
Puppy Love
Jo captured this puppy’s personality perfectly
Hmmm….it’s tough!! I am not the best at keeping in touch with friends, it’s a case of when I’m not in the work bubble, I’m in the kid bubble, I can lose weeks. I am getting better at balancing it now and making time for people
What are your biggest day to day challenges?
Having confidence in what I do.
Backstage at Miss Staffordshire 2013
Miss Staffordshire 2013
Do you ever feel guilty about being a working mum and giving your time to something other than your children?
Luckily I don’t have the issue of it overlapping.
What items can you never leave home without?
Non-work items are the kids, inhalers, purse, phone and my keys. Work items are my Camera, SD card, lenses, Spare battery, lens cleaner, props, inhalers, keys, phone, money and an umbrella! <3
What are your top mummy must haves for mums on the go?
WIPES!!
Joanna’s photos never fail to make me smile
What do you do to unwind?
I was discussing this with the videographer of a wedding I covered recently and I realise that for a living I have a job where I can ‘shoot people and cut their heads off’ and to unwind I ‘shoot people and cut their heads off’ on video games.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I don’t think I have one… Maybe I just never feel guilty.
Another beautiful moment captured (this is actually McD’s twin sister, can you see a resemblance?)
And finally… Do you have any tips or advice for a mum who is thinking of becoming a mum-preneur?
Get the balance right, if you do something that takes you away from your children, you’ll resent having to do it.
Thanks Joanna
You can find the Joanna Fitzpatrick Photography Facebook Page here and her website here. I’m going to leave you with a few photos of my family that Joanna has captured:
The 4Parts Pooch doing her Yoda impression
Who’s this gorgeous guy? I love how Joanna caught his dimple here <3
And finally, my all-time favourite picture of McD and I. Captured by Joanna Fitzpatrick Photography
http://www.facebook.com/4partsofthe1
instagram username: Laura4Parts
If you would like to feature in Mum-Preneur then head on over to my Facebook page and send me a message.
