What’s a “Momma Muse”?
My Momma Muses are the women I most admire who are also, as it happens, mommas themselves. These are an inspiring collection of women I’ve met through my personal and professional life who seem to have the whole balance figured out (though I’m sure they’ll argue that point). It’s my hope that by sharing their stories, what inspires them, what moves them, their tricks for getting through the day running two businesses (their own defined by the government + a household) that you yourself will find a renewed strength in yourself and your abilities. You’re capable and strong, and having a community around to remind you of that is the whole point of thing thing, right? Okay now, let’s get to it.
M E E T P E R R Y
Name: Perry Vaile
Business: Perry Vaile Photography
Role: Owner
# of Children: 2
What does your typical day look like?
It really depends on the season. In the busy season (oh, Hi May!) I have breakfast with my husband and daughters and go straight to work in my home office by 8:30am. I am usually managing emails, business calls, editing, schedule planning or a million other things with no less than 3-4 interruptions from my husband and girls (he is a stay at home dad - we are all in this house together 24/7!). We all do dinner and bedtime together and I often go back to my office for a few hours to catch up after dinner a few times a week. I like to try to get time in together as a family as often as time permits - like picnics on our neighborhood trail or a quick lunch out after preschool pick-up. I travel about 1/2 of the weekends a year, and so I work to make time on Sundays when I return or during the week to balance in time with my family!
What’s your favorite part of your day?
Professionally I actually like the start of it - when I can kiss my kids and go into my office and just get STARTED and know I have a full day of time ahead to accomplish things! I am an avid list maker and any chance to tackle that is a good one. Personally, I always stop whatever I'm doing to be a part of bedtime and books with my girls!
What’s the one thing you hope your children have learned from you that they will share with future generations?
I hope my girls get a sense of moxie. I want them to feel empowered to stick up for themselves, and to keep a strong backbone when they're challenged in life. In turn, I also hope they learn that they can be feminine and love beautiful things without having to apologize for it.
Any tricks for keeping the balance between work and family?
Constant readjustment and being honest with myself about where my time is being spent
What's the best life advice or lesson you remember receiving from your own mom?
You can't do the hard work for them, or they don't get the lesson from it. Ain't that the truth!
What’s your most treasured accessory?
My gold charm bracelet and all of the meaningful charms I've collected for it! It's even more special to me than my wedding ring because it tells a story of my whole life (kids, husband, loved ones) - I cant wait to pass it down to my daughters some day!
What accessory makes you feel most like a woman?
A good pair of brightly colored heels!
Favorite Mary Frances Flowers piece?
I am OBSESSED with all things MFF but my favorite might have to be the owl cuff! So good.
[Our beloved Owl Cuff style has been retired. Shop some of our other favorite animal-inspired pieces
HERE.]
Anything else you’d like to share? What’s on the horizon for your business?
I will be on the Mother's Day edition of Weddings For Real podcast in early May, as well as speaking as a main-stage presented at the Hybrid Collective Conference for photographers the same week! :)
Thank you, Perry, and good luck this week in Nashville!
Perry photographed my and my husband's wedding last Fall, and we could not say enough good things about her!! Through all the wedding craziness, I learned one very important lesson about choosing a wedding day photographer: choose one whose personality you LOVE and totally jive with. You're going to be spending alot of time together on possibly a very stressful day and having someone who can calm you in a thunderstorm (literally) while simultaneously make you smile AND capture incredible photos (that's a given, Perry is wildly talented) is paramount. I'm so grateful Perry lives near us in the Raleigh area so we get to continue hanging out, and I get to keep learning from her as an incredible businesswoman and momma! Okay, so that's my little schpeel. If you're a bride looking for not only a wonderfully talented photographer (anywhere in the world - she travels to the most swoon-worthy places), but also someone who just might turn into a friend, give Perry a shout. You won't regret it. Find her stunning body of work
HERE.
