Team News: Carla is back!

We’re thrilled to welcome Carla back to the team after her recent maternity leave.

In celebration of her return, here’s something she’s written which we hope you enjoy….

And just like that…’, I’m back!

Well, here I am! Back after what has possibly been the quickest 9 months of my life.

The return to work after spending 9 months soaking in newborn smells is often a dreaded day, but for me it’s bittersweet.

It’s knowing that this mama has something to put her mind to once again, to be back into a routine and to have a purpose. I know I know, being a mum is a ‘purpose’, but at the same time, it’s easy to find yourself a bit lost in amongst the feeding, the nappy changes and of course the added sass of a four-year-old.

The beginning of my journey with Kingshill Studios

When I had my first daughter, Luna, the opportunity for me to work at Kingshill Studios came up when she was around four months old.

I remember reading the job description thinking I was made for this role, I had previously been a PA so calendar management and dealing with people is my jam. And although my title is Office Manager, I am pretty sure Susan won’t hold offence to me calling myself her personal assistant too. 

It was a position which would allow me to continue to have the parent/work balance I’d always hoped for so it meant a speedy return to work when Luna was just five months old. I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity, and I knew it would pay off for our family in the long term. The shorter maternity leave was a sacrifice I was ok with.

Family comes first

I worked mainly from home for just three days a week, and with the help of our parents, we made it work. I’ve never had any ‘what if’ moments since.

If things arose at home and I had to shuffle my days around, there were no questions asked. Susan has always been a family comes first person. As a new mum, this was invaluable.

My eldest girl was born dairy intolerant, so I did feel a little robbed of her first few months as a newborn. This made me determined that this time around I’d soak up the nine months and I’m grateful that Susan was so understanding of this.

We work quite similarly the two of us, if something comes into our head, we can’t settle until the job is done, and although I said before I went off, I was just a message away, it was often me being the first to send a message.

Maternity leave

And so, I’ve seen each stage this time, each tiny tooth popping through her gums and each grumpy episode that goes hand in hand with it. I’ve watched her and her big sister develop this immense bond. We’ve nailed the weaning journey and the sleep routine – although I’m awaiting the regression…

We’ve even had our first trip in our campervan and a holiday abroad. I really have made the most of it.

I’ve been there for it all, and she is without a doubt a ‘mummy’s girl’. Which is quite nice because there is no one quite like Daddy in big sister’s eyes.

And this is just the beginning. We aren’t even a year in yet and I feel like I’ve been here for so much already.

Back to doing what I love

But from now on, we just add some work into the equation too. As I type this, I’m sat at my kitchen table, with a hot cup of tea next to me. I may even venture into the biscuit cupboard shortly. My house is silent and my brain a little less fuzzy. We are in a very lucky position where grandparents are on hand to watch our brood, so I know they are having the best day whilst I work away. It’s sad to admit but you don’t ‘check in’ as much with your littles the second time around!

I always said growing up I want a job that doesn’t feel like work. I spend most of my days when I’m ‘clocked in’ talking to parents about having babies (I’m all ears for a labour story) and planning special portrait opportunities to capture these precious years we have together. Can you call that work? I don’t think so.

Getting to know you…

With that being said, if you do get me on the end of the phone I’ll apologise in advance if our five-minute chat turns to fifteen minutes, once you get me going, I struggle to reign it in, and for the past few months I’ve been roleplaying with barbies or listening to Cocomelon on repeat.

For me, it’s the conversation that makes my job so special, its building relationships with people we get to see again and again when they return with second and third babies, and then a few years later when they are all on their feet running about for one of our outdoor portrait sessions.

I’m here to help you prepare for your portrait session

We make a point to get our portraits done every year and it’s been amazing for us to create our biography and to document how much we’ve changed as couple and now as a family.

It’s also my job to put you at ease, coming to a studio if you’ve never been to one before can be quite daunting.

• How should you dress?

• How should you prepare?

• What can you expect?

It’s my job to answer all those questions and remove all the worry before you step in the door. I’ve been here as a client myself, so I know just what to expect at your session.

Susan has captured our wedding, newborn, first birthday, maternity, limited edition and family portraits. So there’s not much I don’t know.

A warm welcome awaits you at Kingshill Studios

People will also wonder what Susan is like before they come, usually, they’ve read that she was previously a headteacher, and wonder if some of her teacher tactics come into force in the studio.

I promise she is no ‘Demon Headmaster’! She is kind and one of the most patient humans I have ever met (sometimes I’m a little jealous of her patience). She has boys of her own so can relate to us all as parents, on the good days and the overwhelming days.

And that’s why she’s not just a photographer either, she will become a staple part of each family’s life who walks in those studio doors. My eldest loves paying her a visit and genuinely believes that the studio is in fact Susan’s house.

I can’t wait to chat to you soon!

So although it’s a sad day for me to say my maternity leave is over, it’s definitely not a thought to be sat here at my laptop again. If anything, working makes me see just how lucky I am that I can have the mummy and working balance I’d always hoped for.

As one of the most-heard phrases during my time off goes… ‘and just like that’, I’m back again. I’m looking forward to chatting to you all, there could be days when I go off on a tangent with my chatting and there may be days when you hear a child in the background of my madhouse if things don’t go to plan as they often do in parenthood.

But if anything, know that you’re in safe hands. I’ve been in your situation too and found that in those first days of parenthood, a friendly voice is all I needed, and I hope to be your friendly voice too.