First things first, you can call me Stacie. My parents had a knack for naming us kids with big names and calling us something different. I’ve gone by Stacie my whole life–reserving Anastasia for occasions that called for something special, formal or official. Anastasia is my real name and has always seemed more artistic and fun. In practice, however, most people have an easier time with Stacie.
I’ve been interested in photography since I was 10 years old and was given my first camera. A Kodak 110 I was to take with me on my first trip alone to visit my Grandparents. My first job as papergirl, waking up at 5 a.m. once a week to deliver the newspaper was done with the sole purpose of earning enough money to buy a 35mm camera. Thankfully, I earned enough to do so before the experimental newspaper went out of business.
I did everything available to me to learn more about photography: summer camps, merit badges, classes, anything. I practically lived in the darkroom at my high school. I came to the University of Missouri with the intention of getting a degree in photojournalism. After my first year, I decided journalism was not something I felt passionate about and after a few changes, I finally landed in the Human Development and Family Studies department. I fell in love with early child development. Life brought me to the Washington, DC area where I finished my degree in Family Studies at the University of Maryland.
Somewhere along the way, I sold all of my photography gear and left that part of me behind. I didn’t own a camera and I rarely took pictures. I put my passion and energy into early childhood education, working in the field of childcare. Something I am still very passionate about.
Long story short: I met my partner, Linda, while working in childcare in the DC area. She had grown up in Columbia, MO and after a bit of convincing, we moved back to Columbia to start our family and our childcare. After our first son, Joseph was born we bought a point and shoot digital camera and I decided it would be okay to take snapshots of our family and document our lives. After playing with that camera some and being inspired by a local photography exhibition and contest, Visions (held annually at First National Bank during the downtown arts festival) I thought to myself, “I can take pictures like that.” I set my mind to being more intentional about my picture taking and trying to refine my skills with the idea that I would enter a contest or two in the coming year. That summer I entered the Visions contest and another contest called, “Life in Mid-Missouri”. I won first place in the amateur division of Visions, first place in two categories and honorable mention in one category of the Life in Mid-Missouri contest. I decided then and there to take my photography seriously again and see where it could take me.
In the beginning I took pictures of anything and everything. It took a few years to settle in to what to me seems so obvious now: I LOVE fine art children’s portraiture. I LOVE birth photography. If I could find a way to provide these two things for free to people and still make a living, I would do it… I love it that much. With my background in early child development, I have a gift for relating to young children. (Maybe it’s just my refusal to grow up!) Sessions are fun and up beat, no pressure and please no cheesy smiles! Click here to read more about portrait sessions or birth photography. Contact me with questions or to schedule a session.
I look forward to working with you.