Your name: Missy Williams

Workshop week 1

If you have a nickname, what is it? Missy is my nickname (my name is Melissa, but nobody calls me that :)

Are you single, married, have children? I am married (to Jason) and have 2 little ones!

If you have children: how many, what are their names, how old are they: Max is 2 and Mallory is 1 (they are 1 year and 1 week apart :) The name alliteration was not intentional (in fact, I was trying to avoid it) but we wound up with Max and Mallory (and if you include me, Missy, it sounds pretty silly :)

What state do you live in ? Maryland – born and raised!

What do you spend way too much of your time doing? Sitting in my cubicle!! To pay the bills while building the photography business, I work full-time as a Software Engineer (yup – you read it right, I’m a dorky SW Engineer :)

What do you wish you could spend more of your time doing? Playing with Max and Mallory, building the photography business, learning (about ANYTHING!), volunteer work, EXERCISING, relaxing…the list goes on!

How did photography find you? Well…my husband has loved cameras and photography his whole life, and has made a living as a photographer for the past 4 years, working for a fantastic studio in the DC area, and learning a ton. Over the years we tossed around the idea of him branching out on his own, and us working together to build a photography business, and this past February we decided to make it happen. So, here I am trying to learn as much as possible about photography and business in general (ladies – I’m hoping you can help me out here :) :)

What is your favorite thing to take pictures of? I’m new to photography – haven’t found my favorite subject just yet :)

How long have you been doing photography ? Not long enough – I’ll definitely be a fish out of water at this workshop, but I’m up for a challenge!

Do you have a photography business? If so, for how long? I think I answered this above, but I’ll give it another shot :) Yes – currently my husband is the photographer and I handle the schedule, website, editing, ideas…… We don’t have the name solidified, or a brand, or the website complete, so we obviously have a LOT to do :) but we are building it piece by piece (I have a non-photography related job and my husband stays home with 2 munchkins 5 days/week!! Trying to build a business in addition to that has been QUITE a feat!)

What is your favorite food? Well I LOVE mashed potatoes, mac n’cheese, French fries with gravy (I think that’s a local thing) but currently I’m on a fajita kick! I’m trying to lose weight and get in shape (before the next pregnancy :) and fajitas can be super yummy AND healthy :) :) Oh – and baked UTZ potato chips – love them!

What is something you can’t live without? Jason – he is my ROCK (sounds so corny I know, but it’s true!). I can handle ANYTHING as long as he is there with me to walk me through and talk me through.

And ponios (pony-tail holders) – I NEED ponios :)

AND Dunkin Donuts coffee!!!

What is something no one knows about you? I’m a pretty open person, so there isn’t much people don’t know about me…hmmm, I’ll have to come back to this one…

Oh – I know – most people don’t know that “Bitch” by Meredith Brooks is my favorite song - I love how it describes how women can be so many different things all in one package :) For those who don’t know, the words to the chorus are “I’m a bitch, I’m a lover, I’m a child, I’m a mother, I’m a sinner, I’m a saint, I do not feel ashamed, I’m your hell, I’m your dream, I’m nothing in between, you know you wouldn’t want it any other way” And I really am all of those things :) :)

What is on your iPod or Playlist: A VERY eclectic mix! If you put it on shuffle, you might hear a Wiggles song, followed by some Eminem, then maybe Bohemian Rhapsody :) There is also some relaxation zen type music, Gwen Stefani, ABBA, Christina Aguilera, Bon Jovi….

Are you a night owl or early riser? DEFINITELY a night-owl!

What is your favorite guilty pleasure? TMZ, Perez Hilton and Reality TV – I try to stay away from all three but I’m not very successful :P

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world…dead or alive, who would it be? My Nana and my mom (I know, that’s 2 people :). I was 10 when my Nana passed away, so she doesn’t know the person I became, and I didn’t know her as a friend – I would love for her to see what an amazing mother my mom is, and to share stories and pictures, etc.

What are some things that you like? my Mom and Dad, getaway weekends with my girlfriends, massages, Disneyworld, music, Lucky Charms, long summer days, vacation with my family, sleeping in, Max and Mallory laughing at each other, Jason, family get-togethers (brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles – the whole crowd)

What are some things you don’t like ? People that see things in black and white and think they are ALWAYS right, anybody who intentionally makes someone else feel bad, peanut butter, being sick

When you can do anything, what do you do? Just about anything with my family. Relax, visit my parents and Jason’s parents, go to the park, watch a movie

What do you have to do before you die? Assure my kids are confident, healthy and happy. Know that I made a difference somehow…

Tell us something more about you:

Funny When I was 8-months pregnant with my son, I was in a friend’s wedding, and Jason told me I looked like Ursula the sea witch from “The Little Mermaid”……and he was SOOOO right!!!!!! (he meant nothing mean by it, just calls it like he sees it :) and he thought I was a VERY cute sea witch!)

Serious I am terrified of snakes – not just scared, TERRIFIED! If I see one on TV or in a book, I cry – and if I see one in person (in the woods or a pet store) forget it – I’m hysterical! I really want to tackle this fear – I don’t want it to prevent me from doing things with my kids (camping, nature walks…).

Entertaining Almost every night, after dinner but before bed, Max, Mallory and I dance and sing to “Rock-a-bye Your Bear” (a Wiggles song) and “Hot Dog” (the theme song to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse).

Philosophical You are what you eat……..just kidding :) :) :)That was the first thing that popped into my head though (I’m very philosophical, can’t you tell :)

Ok…Being richer, smarter or prettier than someone else does not make you a better person. Being kind….that counts.

Exciting I’m going to a photography workshop in February, for a whole week, and I don’t know anyone going!! Seriously – this is a major step for me in learning to be comfortable out of my comfort zone!

True I am most at peace and content when Max and Mallory have had a fun, active day, followed by a good dinner, warm bath and are tucked in bed, exhausted and cozy, ready for a good nights sleep. After a day like that, and once they’re off to sleep, I can breathe and feel no anxiety, which is very rare for me.

Meaningful I am honestly so incredibly happy. I love my life, I love my family, and I love myself. And I think I am blessed – there are a lot of people who can’t say these three things and mean them.

Name 2 of your weaknesses:

1. Sensitive – I take everything to heart
2. Always Afraid – afraid to try something new, scared of being alone in the house, afraid of snakes….fear has too much of a hold on me.

Name 5 of your strengths:

1. Open-minded
2. Intuitive
3. Motivated
4. Quick learner
5. try to find positive in everything