HER STORY ⟡ Tracey Jacobs
Meet Tracey, the founder of Cozy Cottage Photography!
Why I started:
On the precipice of my 50th birthday, and the beginning stage of my empty nest, I found myself working my full-time job every day and watching Netflix every evening. At some point I began to wonder, is this it? Is there nothing more to look forward to in life but a steady paycheck and movies? Was I at the beginning stage of a mid-life crisis? I don't know, but I didn't want to find out, so I began to create a list of all the things I still wanted to do in life. Get a mother-daughter tattoo, fly in the sky with my dad, memorize my mom's apple pie recipe and return to Ireland with my husband. Worthy and fun activities to be sure, but they were all short lived. I wanted something that was going to be on-going, something I could leisurely develop and create. Something that was my sanctuary. A she-shed found its way into my backyard but what was I going to do with it? I didn't sew like my mom, play music like my dad or dance like my daughter. The only thing that had ever been a hobby for me was photography. It was a passion of mine since the beginning, but like many of us I didn't follow the dream. I made what they call, "the safer choice" I gave it up a lifetime ago and as the song says, "a dream won't chase you back." That is a very true statement, but it turns out a dream doesn't have to chase you. Sometimes it fills every corner of your world, sometimes it is pulling you along when you want to give up, sometimes it is in the stands cheering the loudest for you, and sometimes it patiently waits in the shadows for you to remember it has never left you. A dream is devoted to you, whether you give it life or not. As It turns out, 50 is a magical number. As it looms in the distance, it whispers to us, wanting to remind us of what we have forgotten. As it edges closer, we begin to feel a sense of urgency, asking it to say more, speak louder! When it finally knocks on our door, we realize it is bearing a gift. My gift was the seed for Cozy Cottage Photography. I am nurturing that seed and giving it the nutrients to grow and prosper. Your portrait occasion is that seed in bloom. My creativity blossoms and my dream comes to life in my cozy cottage. She is inviting, calm, private and cozy. She waits for your beauty to arrive.
What I love about being a business owner:
To be honest the business side of things is the grudge work for me. I am not a natural at it to say the least. I struggle with all of the marketing must do's, the networking needs, and the social media do's and don'ts. The bloody algorithms and the insane taxes! I am a purposefully part-time business owner because the 9 to 5 is my safety net. I look forward to the day I can boldly and confidently say, "I am a business owner." For now, I am pleased and proud to say I am a photographer and I own my own studio.
What type of impact do you hope to have on those you meet and/or who book a session with you?
I hope my impact is refreshing. I hope people walk away feeling confident, seen, and happy after an encounter with me. I hope I am the human embodiment of a cozy coffee shop and a warm drink!
Who or what inspires you?
I am a classic cliche'! Sorry, this is boring but my husband is probably the person that inspires me the most. He is the most selfless person I know and inspires me to just have fun with my dream and not worry about what it may or may not become. He inspires me to be a better human and not take things so seriously. And of course being a mom, thinking about how my life and my choices impacts my daughter's life, that inspires me to keep giving life to my passion in the hope that it will also positively impact her.
What is your favorite piece of advice you've ever received or favorite quote?
Oh my, you don't know it but you just opened my favorite can of worms!! I LOVE quotes... I am kind of the quote queen, so much so that my daughter deems me the queen of prophetic nonsense! LOL
Visualize your highest self and start showing up as her.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
Life is like a camera. Just focus on what's important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives & if things don't work out... just take another shot!
I could go on and on...
What does BEAUTY mean to you?
We see beauty with our eyes, but to me, beauty is that feeling we can't name because it is bigger than love, more captivating than a sunset and rarer than a precious gem. It is the moment when our soul sighs and our heart smiles.
What advice would you give your past self just starting your business?
I would tell her to learn the hard stuff first and then go wild with the passion!
What would you like our Beauty Boost members to know?
I would like them to know that since turning 52 I have discovered that the girl within is ever present and embracing some of things that lit her up in her youth will give life to her tomorrows. For me that is blowing bubbles, the color pink, and wearing overalls!
Where can our community can find you?
www.instagram.com/cozycottagephotography
www.cozycottagephotography.com
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