Rooted in Love Photography :: Moms Who Mean Business

Andrea McDonald, owner of Rooted in Love Photography, earned the top spot in the “Moms Who Mean Business” mom-preneur extravaganza. You, dear readers, voted her and her business the FAN FAVORITE. So she’s launching our week of profiles, giveaways, and special FWMB discounts. Congratulations, Andrea!

In 2012, I still taught 5th grade math. During summer break that year, I started toying with photography “for fun.” I just lost my sister to breast cancer that February and needed a distraction. I had no plan whatsoever to become a full-time photographer and launch my own photography business; but, when school started back, the session requests kept coming. For one school year, I taught full time while parenting three kids AND building my photography business in the evenings and on the weekends. I was absolutely loving it, but felt completely frazzled trying to do it all.

With a lot of prayer and thought, I did the scariest thing I’ve ever done: I quit teaching and became a full-time photographer in June 2013. I cried the entire way home on the last day of school, wondering if I had just made the biggest mistake of my life. Thankfully, now I can say–without a doubt–I’m so glad I made that leap.

What I Do

Through Rooted in Love Photography, I offer my services as a portrait photographer, capturing images of families, seniors, maternity, engagements, and newborns. I specialize mostly in seniors and families.

I love my job. I know it sounds cliche to say, “If you find what you love to do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” but it’s absolutely true. I no longer dread Mondays. The high I get from a client viewing his or her photos and loving those photos . . . . It never gets old!

A lot of love and work goes into my sessions. There’s a misconception that photographers just click the button, go home, and hand over the images. So much time and love is put into each session with pre-consultation, helping the clients (especially parents) feel at ease during the session, and then meticulously culling and editing through images to offer beautiful products clients are proud to display. It’s a job that I do not take lightly, knowing these are treasured memories. I’m part of telling their story. What a huge honor!

Growing up in Fort Worth, I so appreciate how photography has given me the opportunity to become connected with so many in our community–a community I love. My prayer for Rooted in Love Photography each day is that my clients will leave feeling as though they are friends rather than clients and that all their portraits will be cherished for years.

How I Give

I have a very special place in my heart for those affected by cancer. Another photographer took photos of my sister before she began treatment and subsequently began losing her hair. Now that she has passed away, those photos with her girls are such a treasure.

This year, I have been able to pay that forward by photographing two families with similar situations. This project is called the “Butterfly Effect.” It’s such a blessing and honor to provide this service to these families. I absolutely plan on continuing because it’s been such as gift to me as well.

Book a photo session with Rooted in Love Photography between November 17 and December 1, 2014–and mention the Fort Worth Moms Blog–and you will receive 20% off the session fee.  The session must be used by June 30, 2015.

Andrea is a portrait photographer. She’s a lover of the golden rule, God, sunsets, golden light, everything fall related, fun fonts, good quotes, and believes kitchens are for dancing. She believes she’s got the best job in the whole world, watching families grow and being their storyteller. She’s been married to her best friend for 12 years and is a mom to three ridiculously hilarious kids . . . and her life would make a great reality show. Connect with Andrea on Facebook and Instagram.