First thing you should know about me is that in the event of a zombie apocalypse I have developed the necessary basic outdoor skills and collected the necessary gear for my family and I to pretty much survive anything. If you can find humor in this and still keep reading, then we will get along just fine. 🙂
A little about me…I grew up in Michigan, one of six girls, moved to Alaska to go to college and experience the Last Frontier. Met the love of my life, started a family, finished my bachelor and masters degrees, worked full time, went camping – a lot. After some years we decided to move back to Michigan, and maybe work on improving the homesteading skills now that the backcountry skills are established.
I have always loved taking pictures and painting. Pictures were a way to remember those special moments, times that I did not want to forget no matter how many years went by. So I would take pictures at my friends weddings, of my tiny humans, of delicious food at restaurants, and of those gorgeous outdoor scenic views while camping in the Alaskan wilderness (and so that I could later paint those scenes too).
Painting was hard with tiny humans underfoot, but I painted when I could and convinced my friends to let me lead Canvas and Cocktail parties as some of our regular Girls Night Out gatherings.
My eye for a great photo didn’t go unnoticed, I got to do my first official wedding photographer gig for my brother-in-law and his awesome bride – on top of a mountain no less!
And I was even lucky enough to get to witness and take photos during the birth of my niece.
I would paint gifts for friends and family as time and inspiration allowed.
However, with working full time, raising tiny humans and all the numerous activities and to-do lists that come with adulting, I didn’t get to take quite as many pictures or paint as many canvases as I would have liked.
But then I heard a podcast (thanks Side-Hustle School!) on my commute to my day job, and it got me thinking. Maybe I don’t have to give up my day job (that I enjoy and provides a steady paycheck and has great benefits) to do more of what I love – taking pictures and painting. Since this is not my full time job I can offer you prices that are more affordable…prices that I could actually afford when I wanted these types of pictures!
And thus was born Staveland Studios. You are my excuse to be artistic.
Thank you!
Staveland Studios 