Dandelion Hollow Designs, LLC- Maternity, Newborn & Child Portraiture, Carver, MA (2026)

10/01/2023

Hello my Lovelies,

I have a very emotional announcement to make. I do not say that in jest, this decision has been weighing heavily on my head & heart for a while now. I have been, over the past 3 years, struggling with some issues with my back. As someone who has an extremely high pain threshold, I've pushed it about as much as I can. According to my spine and pain management docs, based on x-rays & MRIs, I will likely need surgery to no longer be in pain. I have a slipped disc and serious spinal stenosis in my L4/L5 area, mild scoliosis, and advanced arthritis in my cervical spine as well. I have been through PT, medications, as well as continued epidural injections into my spine for pain management. I have serious neuropathy on my right side- which results in extreme nerve pain down my whole leg and numbness in my foot/toes. I have soldiered on, but after my last few sessions it has taken me days to recuperate. This isn't fair to myself, or my family who require me to be at 100% capacity. As fellow parents, I'm hoping you can understand the needs of my kiddos, who at 5 & 7, think they can rule the world but still need 100% supervision are more important to me than a second job. I started my business just shy of the pandemic. I had no way of foreseeing that tragedy but it weighed heavily on my fledgling business financially and emotionally. I was prevented from providing services & then due to the nature of my business had to take extra precautions upon reopening given my pregnant, newborn, and child clientele. The economic downfall from covid meant that people had less expendable income for things like pictures, which I myself experienced as well.

Then my family suffered the loss of my grandmother who helped my Mom raise my sister and me. She then, starting at 89yo she took care of my daughters while I worked full time. She did this for 3.5 years. To say her loss was profound for my family would be an understatement. I took some time off to grieve before I started doing sessions again. Additionally, last week we suffered the loss of a fellow Momma and neighbor whom I have known for over 10 years. Our grief is nothing compared to the 2 kiddos and husband she left behind, trying to figure life out without the love of their lives. Cancer sucks, there is no two ways about it. But experiencing her loss has also made me take a step back and re-evaluate my personal priorities. You never know how long you have, and spending every second with those you love is a priority. My life has changed dramatically since I started this venture. At the beginning, I truly believed that this could become my primary source of income. If the pandemic hadn't of hit that may have become reality. However since I opened DHDLLC, I've seen a divorce, covid, a new position/promotion in my 9-5 job (which I'm so grateful & happy about!), and now only have my daughters 50% of the time. I've come to realize that with my new life and current physical capabilities, spending every second of the time I have with my love & babies is the main priority. I will never get this time back. Ever. I'm trying to take my own advice that I tell everyone who has booked me before, that well - they are only this little for so long...

Given all of the above, I've made the decision I can no longer provide photography services at this time. This breaks my heart as I adore my business. I built this studio from the ground up with my literal bare hands. I renovated the whole studio space myself- ripping up carpet, laying flooring, painting, hanging fixtures, organizing & creating a layout that flowed. I chose each prop, wrap, oufit, headband, hat... you name it. Some I made myself, had done custom, or my fiber artist Mom made for me. It has quite literally been my life long dream. I so adore my newborn snuggles and talking to postpartum moms about their new version of life. I love coaxing smiles out of shy toddlers, making friends with all my kiddos, and capturing their personalities. Having not done maternity photos myself and regretting it, I've loved capturing those moments for others. But sometimes we get thrown wrenches, and so we adapt but don't give up. I'm not saying goodbye, I'm just saying I'll see you later. Perhaps if my personal situation changes I will be in a better position to offer you all my services again. I want to thank you all in advance for your understanding to my current physical limitations & hope for a bright future! I appreciate all of the support and love each and every one of you has given over the past few years & I'm looking forward to a new version of DHDLLC at some point, and would love seeing some familiar faces then.

Until then, as the wise old Tigger says, TTFN- Tata for now! XOXOXO I wish you all the best ❤️

07/06/2023

Finalizing dates and sign ups will be posted!

07/04/2023

Wildflower Petite Sessions are going live shortly... access to the client closet for fun dresses (including these!)

02/12/2023

When you have sweet, sleepy babies in your studio 😍

01/31/2023

Hi Everyone! I have limited openings over the next few months so if you haven't booked a session yet I'd love to help! Maternity, newborn, milestones, motherhood, or portrait sessions... I love doing them all! I have a large client closet, so all you need to bring is yourself or your little one 🙂 You can see more on my website at http://www.dandelionhollowdesigns.com

01/22/2023

My first beautiful Momma of the year, I can't wait to meet your little guy soon!

01/07/2023

My first sweet baby of the new year was such a little doll!!

04/01/2022

Hello my sweets. I want to apologize for being quiet the past couple months. There has been a lot going on in my personal life. I'm going to be open with you because I want you to understand, but also as a reminder to cherish those whom you love. As a reminder that you can never take too many photographs because at some point they will be your only visual reminder. Details are easy to forget without a physical print to remind you. Always take the picture. Always.

One on my favorite things is watching the cycle of birth. Heck, I started a whole photography business from it. There is something so magical about the creation of life. The changes, the unknown, the growth, the beauty, the promise...

Lately I find myself on the opposite of the spectrum. I have been fortunate enough in my life to have only suffered one close loss, my Grampy. His death was a tragedy to me, my birthday buddy. Born 60 years apart to the day. He was my father growing up because mine never cared enough to be one. But now, I'm on the precipice of another major loss. This time I am walking the tightrope of preparing & managing my own grief, and also trying to buffer my babies. It's the hardest tightrope I've walked.

The woman who helped raise me, was my second Mom growing up, our matriarch, is failing. She has been for about a month and a half. New Years Eve she was fully present and partying. Now, hospice has been a blessing for us all. She is home, where she wanted to be, surrounded by love. Just 3 months shy of 95 years old, the woman I thought would be eternal, wouldn't be recognized by most people she once knew. But to me, every wrinkle tells a story, a laugh, a smile. Her hands with her knobby, arthritic knuckles sewed most of my clothes, all my bathing suits and leotards as a child, & anything that needed mending even as an adult. They held me, in strength and sadness, love & heartbreak.

Those hands held me as an infant and nurtured me my whole life. They held my Lilly and cared for her all day long while I worked from 14wks to 2 years old starting when she was 89. They held my Emmy from 14wks to help my Mom out at 91 years old. They have never stopped holding us, even to this day.

She taught me strength, perseverance, stubbornness, sarcasm, how to be a smart ass, and so much more. She taught me to sew, upholster, refinish furniture, do every kind of home update, make something from nothing & love unconditionally. When I came out, she told me she loved me no matter what. She wished me nothing but love & happiness in life. When I got married, she walked me down the aisle. When I went through my divorce, she was supportive & reminded me I deserved to be happy no matter what- even if it was hard. She reminded me I was strong like my mom & could do anything I set my mind to. And when I met my new partner 2 years ago, Gram was so supportive, encouraging and again reminded me that things in life rarely go as planned but we have to take the good when it comes along, even if it doesn't fit other peoples timelines. She knew I was genuinely happy and told me to follow my heart.

There is beauty in death, mostly it feels like singular moments. When I left last week, she was able to carry on a conversation and told me she was so happy for me, and that I deserved all the happiness in the world. She promised she would wait for us to come home. Today she speaks very softly, breathy at best and very few words. If you didn't know her you'd think she wasn't there anymore. But when I held her hand and told her we were home and that I loved her, she said in response, I love you too. The rest of the time she uttered 2 maybe words at a time. When we were leaving, I kissed her on the forehead and told her that I loved her so much. She said, "I love you more" which was our little joke. It made me smile and simultaneously burst into tears. Today, 2 days later I held her hand as she slept and told her that it was ok to let go. That if she was holding on for me or the girls, she didn't need to do that anymore. I told her all we want is for her to be happy and content. That we love her with every breath, a bushel & a peck & a hug around the neck. When she was ready she should go, because we love her.

There aren't words to convey the impact this woman has had on my life. I cannot express the depth and breadth of how my Grandparents helped shape not only me, but my daughters into who we have become so far. They are truly the definition of unconditional love. I wish everyone could have been loved like they loved me, if so the world would be a better place.

To my Gram, I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck- that's how much I love you baaaaaaby. You have been a blessing to me & my girls. You have been such a role model. You have been something to aspire to. No one is perfect, ever. We have all had our moments, but at the end of the day I am truly a better person for having you as a part of my life. So are my girls. Thank you for always believing in me & motivating me to be the best me I could be. Thank you for listening to me & reminding me that no matter what I deserve to be happy. That we all make mistakes and that we can move on, and that's ok. That my feelings were valid and that you understood and supported me. I can never repay you, but I will be here for you until your last breath. I love you, forever & always. A bushel & a peck & a hug around the neck.

12/25/2021

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!!

Dandelion Hollow Designs, LLC- Maternity, Newborn & Child Portraiture

10/01/2023

07/06/2023

07/04/2023

02/12/2023

01/31/2023

01/22/2023

01/07/2023

04/01/2022

12/25/2021

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