2019: Year in Review

Every year I take stock of the biggest points of impact, both in my life and my community. As always, thank you for being on this journey with me. Your participation in and support of my abilities is what propels me forward every year.

40 Under 40

At 32, I received the distinguished honor of Des Moines Business Record’s 2019 40 Under 40. To me, this was recognition of the contribution one small business owner can make in their community. I was so proud to walk across that stage, knowing that my HR department is my mom, my team includes my 2 dedicated employees and loads of friends, and every single hour and resource I donate to my community come directly out of my own pocket.

If I have one goal in life, it’s to lead by example and inspire EVERY person to know they can make a difference simply by showing up and having the confidence to walk out on to the shaky, unstable branches of life, contributing everything they have to the causes and community they love.

I photographed over 100 individuals for $100 Headshots

I started the $100 headshot campaign in 2017. The concept is simple. Once a year I lower my portrait prices to $100 for 15 minutes of my time and one polished file. On top of that great deal, I donate $10 from every session to a charity of choice.

This year, there was so much interest, I ran two $100 headshot sessions, one to benefit Dress for Success and the other benefiting Food Bank of Iowa. The most mind-boggling part of the whole experience? These offers sold out in less than 48 hours. Talk about an all-around win.

Your Personal Brand Launch: Online Course Launched in 2020

Emily and I started Brand Launch with one major goal: teach people how to elevate their lives and business through intentional personal branding. After 2 years of successful workshops, we’ve poured our hearts, souls, and knowledge into this course curriculum and couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve created! The course launched TODAY, Jan 8th, and is already bringing us so much joy and fulfillment.

On top of this great accomplishment, we wrote our first E-book, Showing up Social, sharing our perspective on why social is important and how you can make an impact by simply telling your own story. Grab the E-Book HERE.

HEARTCORE LEADERSHIP

The Universe sent me all sorts of signs this year and I was finally in a mental position to listen. One of the biggest signs I received was during No Meetings March (read past post on that). My friend and client Kathleen Riessen called me during this meeting hiatus and I actually had the energy to pick up the phone. Kathleen said, “Whitney, I’m in this leadership program right now and this is it. This is what you need to do. Here are the dates and here is the price point.”

At the time of Kathleen’s call, I was digging myself out of a deep emotional hole, working hard to correct 3 years of working from the burnout zone. I knew I needed something but I didn’t know what. I took Kathleen’s call as a sign and I paid the deposit the next day. Little did I know the massive amount of serendipity I’d just set in motion.

From August to December, I traveled to San Diego 4 times, diving deep into myself and my leadership capacities. I learned more, grew more and built more in those 4 months than I have at any other point in my life. Of the life-changing experiences I’ve been through, this one takes the cake. I chose it. I committed to it. And I completed it. And at the end of the day, I received a sense of calm in myself, grounding and clarity I never thought possible. Of the things I’m most grateful for this year, HCL and the friends I made there are at the top of the list.

DSM Hummingbirds went from a concept to a platform!

In July of 2018, Emily and I launched the concept of DSM Hummingbirds, a community marketing strategy pairing enthusiastic community members with brands, services, and experience that need a little buzz and momentum. The idea was simple. EVERYONE has influence, especially in hyper-local markets and we were eager to show what impact your neighbors could have on local business growth.

Over and over, this concept continues to prove itself. Our Hummingbirds LOVE trying new things and sharing their experiences with their friends on social and in person. And the businesses? They are getting new ideal client exposure with the added benefit of authentic social posting. EVERYONE WINS.

And this year, we started the long process of creating the technology to support this. It’s been a long journey, but we’re so excited to say that by mid-2020, we’ll have a fully functioning Hummingbird site and are looking to expand outside of DSM! We’ll keep you posted on these exciting developments.

I wore shorts

and lived to tell about it.

I realize that this might seem like the silliest win of 2019 but for me, it was huge. 2019 was a year of true body acceptance. It was also the year I discovered Eloquii, the site where curvy girls like me can go to unload all their extra money and come out looking fabulous.

Because of this site, I wore shorts, crop tops, many jumpsuits, sequin skirts…. the list goes on. I preach a lot about what it means to be unapologetically extra, being bold in our bodies and our brains, but even I struggle with giving my external self the praise it deserves. So here’s to 2020, perhaps this is the year of the two-piece bathing suit. You never know!

Left to right: Megan, Production Manager - Whitney, Chief Empowerment Officer - Amanda, Operations Manager

My teams GREW!

Running two business’s isn’t easy and I don’t do it alone.

Megan and I have been operating as the dynamic duo of Ivory House for too long and we desperately needed an admin to keep everything on track! Amanda Arnold entered our lives at the most amazing time and provided both of us the support and space we needed to really take Ivory House to the next level. With Amanda by our side, we’ve honed in on our systems and made Ivory House an efficient business with loads of personal impact!

Left to right: Callie, Integration specialist. Whitney, Co-Founder. Emily, Co-Founder, Amanda, Operations Manager. Matt, Technology specialist.

Our Brand Launch team also grew! Emily and I have been doing as much as we can as a duo, but we were pleased to bring on several team members in 2019! Amanda, also joined the Brand Launch team as our operations manager (so basically she runs every aspect of Emily and my calendar), Callie came on board this summer as an intern and we quickly found that she is an extraordinary integrator. Now we can’t imagine our team without her. And Matt came on the team earlier this year as our technology lead to take DSM Hummingbirds to the next level. It’s with his help and guidance that we have watched DSM Hummingbirds grow from a concept to a platform.

I had my first fine art gallery show in DSM!

And I did my first artist talk and I sold my first fine artwork ever!!! These are pretty big personal wins. I loved being able to share my thesis work, Self Control, with the people of DSM and Liz Lidgett’s Gallery was the perfect place to showcase this work.

Presenting at LEAP on the Power of Personal Branding!

I got a jump start on my public speaking career!

I got to stand on lots of stages this year and it absolutely thrilled me! I spoke on topics ranging from personal branding, community marketing, being your own nano influencer to being unapologetically extra and defining your own path. Every single one of these opportunities was a thrill and a learning opportunity.

These lead me to my 2020 goal of speaking on 10 big stages across the country. So if you know of anyone looking to bring in an Unapologetically Extra speaker or personal brand strategist, let me know!

May in Amsterdam!

On a personal note….

I traveled to:

1. Denver

2. Charlotte

3. Rochester, NY

4. NYC

5. Copenhagen

6. Took a river cruise down the Rhine from Amsterdam to Frankfurt

7. San Diego (4 times) for leadership training

8. Kansas City

9. Napa

Every single one of these adventures adds to the beautiful, vibrant texture of my life and l’m so grateful for this life I get to lead.

AND…. I fell in love. Yup, if you’re reading this to the very end, you get the juicy bits. I met a man named Erik in June. We bonded over a mutual love of the Enneagram, tacos, The Storytellers Project and deep conversations. We’re pretty smitten and having a great time doing life together.

Travel Wedding Tips

Click above to watch Wednesdays with Whitney: Travel Weddings!

I have shot weddings all over the place: La Jolla, Austin, Charleston, Sonoma, the Hamptons, Los Angeles, St. Thomas, and the Finger Lakes. I’ve shot engagement sessions in New York City and Washington, D.C., and I am about to shoot a wedding in San Francisco. For anyone who might be planning a travel wedding (or a destination wedding, the difference being that the bride and/or groom actually live in the place we're traveling to), here are some important things I’ve learned.

Destinations are amazing for those of you really, really desiring an intimate wedding. They are great for people who travel and want to experience new things, but lets not kid ourselves:  Planning a travel or destination wedding does not mean less work. You have to rely 100% on internet referrals and the opinions of people you've never met. Oftentimes, once you’ve picked your venue, the venue will provide vendors and you just have to trust that those are the best people to handle your big day.

My advice when planning a travel or destination wedding is to think about who you're inviting and whether they can get there. Cost is prohibitive, and so is location. For example, the Zika virus has taken out half of the places we normally have destination weddings, and there would be many people who couldn’t attend an event in these areas. That being said, some of those locations are the most beautiful, magical, romantic places on Earth to get married. Just know going in that there will be unexpected factors to consider if this is the route you choose to take.

One of the biggest benefits of a destination wedding is that you don’t have to pay for any decorations. The location itself is the best decoration you'd ever need! When people are in a new place, everyone will be more relaxed if they don't have to think about planning their local transportation. I highly recommend keeping your wedding all in one location by picking a place that would accommodate the ceremony, reception, and where guests can stay overnight.

When considering what you need to bring, keep it simple. You have to rely on the site for food, decoration, venue, and DJ. This leaves your personal items, wedding attire, and of course, your photographer to fly with you.

Reasons to Bring Your Own Photographer

• Frequently, resorts will have  a designated photographer. These preassigned photographers are rarely going to match your stylistic tastes. If you go with a local or venue-preferred photographer, make sure you vet them and their work just like you would any other.

• You're not going to know this person before the day of your wedding, so you will not have an existing rapport with them. Taking a trusted photographer with you guarantees that you will already have a relationship with the person capturing this day, in a location you and your guests have invested in.

• Best of all, your relationship doesn't end when you get back on a plane to fly home. You get to continue working with that person in your hometown after your wedding. There is an added element of accountability when you're designing an album or viewing your files back home. Whoever you chose should not be the default choice. You are already investing in an incredible location, and the photographer you choose should be up to your standards and able to capture your day in unforgettable images.

A Word about Beaches at Sunset

While a beach at sunset sounds ultra romantic (and it is!), you're dealing with serious backlighting and unpredictable weather. You need a photographer who is technically adept to pull that off. This is not the time or place for a friend or uncle with a nice camera to take over. My travel weddings have been some of the most technically challenging shoots I've ever done. Not only are we all dealing with heat, bugs, water, and waves, but the lighting itself can be a real issues if you haven't had education and experience shooting in these kinds of areas.

I think having a destination or travel is one of the best decisions you can make if your priorities are a small wedding, adventure, and travel. Just go into it prepared and know that this kind of event doesn’t equate to any less planning or investment.

About Those Thoughts Your Mind Has "On Behalf" of Your Body...

You know that moment when you give someone a compliment and their immediate reaction is to tell you how fat they're feeling that day? Or when you're eating an amazing meal and the person across from you is eating the same thing but talking about how they should have gotten a salad? Or when someone smiles at you in that way that makes you feel special, only to have them say that they are so disgusted by their yellowing teeth?

How do you feel when absorbing these words spoken by someone else? I feel...dampened. I feel sad. I feel like the wind was let out of my tires. And if I let myself spiral, I feel incredibly insecure in that person's presence. Because you know what? Whenever anyone makes negative comments about their own body in my presence, I have to try so darn hard not to let myself criticize my own body, too. I definitely fall victim to this kind of self-depreciation frequently, but it's almost worse when it's brought on by someone else. It's as if the other person's lens of criticism is a communicable disease, and they just sneezed into my coffee.

And folks, this happens. All. The. Time. I photograph people (and their perfectly imperfect bodies) for a living. I see every type of person, at every level of fitness, at every degree of self-acceptance. And let me be the first to tell you: Body acceptance and body excellence are rarely aligned. I have photographed beautiful (and I mean this is in the objective, THE WORLD MUST AGREE THAT THEY ARE GORGEOUS kind of way) people who have the lowest opinions of their physical appearance.

I truly hope that through my job I can make an impact on people's impressions of themselves. I hope that holding a standard of positivity in my studio helps increase positive mental anecdotes, even for just the short time  we’re together. But the truth is, that's not my work to do. That work happens before people arrive and after they leave the studio, and when they see the photos, and whether they choose to tear themselves apart or affirm their beauty and value.

That said, I take a lot of pride in being able to have a small but very real effect on the self-image of the people who walk through my doors. The majority of my clients walk in willing to love themselves. They walk into my space ready to feel good and take that chance and be vulnerable in front of the camera. We are all on the path to self-acceptance. No one is perfect. I just ask that people show up willing to try. I am so lucky to have so many people show up for this challenge and affirm that I’m on the right path. But dammit, I’d be lying if I said I wasn't exhausted by the few people who choose to be so unnecessarily hard on themselves.

If we’re being honest, when I’m in the presence of a critical person, I’m ten times harder on myself. All my body insecurities light up and I spiral down into my list of things I wish I had the time, the motivation, and the budget to change. I begin to obsess about my failures, my daily struggles and my bad moments in front of the mirror. It's like choosing to stand in front of a bully and get punched in the gut over and over again. And I don’t want to live there.

I am far from perfect, I have so much to work toward, but I refuse to think less of myself in the meantime. I refuse to think of myself as a project, as something not yet complete and whole and worthwhile. Because, newsflash, that will never happen to me. (And I believe that it rarely happens to anyone.) I don’t have time for perfect. I am many more important things than a dress size or a number on a scale: I am a business owner, a boss, a best friend, a daughter, and a leader. I don’t have the time to also be perfect. What I can do is be my best. I can hold myself accountable. I can be kind to myself every day. Because if I am kind to myself, the world will follow my lead.
 

Dress for Success: The Gift of Confidence

I am so lucky. 

This is what I kept repeating to myself all day on Sunday, March 4th, 2018. 

I am so lucky to have this team of talented, generous people showing up to donate their time and talents to Dress for Success clients. I am so lucky to have a job and the flexibility to give my time and passions. I am SO LUCKY that I've never experienced true hardship. My privilege. 

Recognizing that, I jump at any chance of passing that luck and privilege on to others who might benefit from it. This event was one small way of providing confidence and support to women in our community who may not have always been so lucky. They say that when you can give a piece of yourself to someone else, it comes back to you tenfold. Never have I found this to be more true than with these portraits. I feel the love from that day every time I look at them, and I hope the feeling continues for a long time to come.

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A note from Lucy, Ivory House Photography's Studio Manager: 

The day began the way I expected: rushing to set out snacks and bottles of water, unlocking the doors, answering last-minute emails about the event. What’s the parking situation? Which street is the door on again? The stylists arrived with their ring lights and curling irons. Is there another outlet in this corner? No problem, I’ll set up in the kitchen. Jody White, Executive Director and Co-founder of Dress for Success, was all smiles as she introduced herself to everyone, warmly thanking each person for donating their Sunday to a great cause.

The Glam Teams, clockwise from top left: Ashley Maree Harvey (hair), Violeta, Natalie Gendle (makeup, ACADEMIC Lash & Beauty); Ivy Boyd (makeup, Ivy Boyd Makeup Artist + Beauty Blogger), Africa, Stacy Syroka (hair, Elevencherry); Desi Thompson (hair, Desi at Dolce), Jenny, Natalie Gendle (makeup, ACADEMIC Lash & Beauty); Kelsey Ziemann (makeup, Kelsi Ziemann Artistry), Jasmin, Kearra Chester (hair)

Whitney’s idea for a campaign to benefit Dress for Success originated before I came to work at Ivory House. Selling discounted headshots to her regular clients seemed like a great way to generate revenue that would allow for her to donate portraits to the clients of Dress for Success, an organization that empowers women to thrive professionally. She first mentioned this undertaking in my job interview back in January. Hearing her talk about the importance of elevating every member of the community made me realize that working at Ivory House was going to be much more than a nine-to-five job. Coming fresh from the corporate world, this was very appealing to me. 

My role on Sunday as Whitney’s studio manager was to manage the flow and make sure everyone was getting what they needed. I was anticipating a fast pace and lots of last-minute problem-solving, but as soon as the women began to arrive, it was clear things were going to go much smoother than I anticipated. The "Glam Teams," compromised of incredibly talented hair and makeup artists, were matched with a Dress for Success client. As anyone who’s been to a salon can attest, once the women were seated in their chairs and the pampering began, their stories began to pour out. 

There was Violeta, a legal assistant at Drake, who told me about the lifelong romance with her husband that started in their hometown in Mexico and brought them all the way to Des Moines.

Violeta

There was Sharon, who works in the crafts department at Walmart and who boasted that she has 13 great-grandkids. She honors the memory of her late husband, her sweetheart and the love of her life, by wearing their wedding rings around her neck. 

Sharon

After 10 years in school while also raising three kids as a single mom, Jasmin is going to graduate next year with her master’s degree in social work, and is currently working as self-sufficiency counselor.

Jasmin

Kimberly brought so much attitude and energy to the day. She kept us laughing the whole time, and her confidence shone through in every single photo that we took of her.

Kimberly

Angela, who I told that I would definitely ask for her ID at a bar, told me she’d been married for 14 years and has nine children. (Angela also told me an incredible story about her dog Capone, who’ll be receiving a medal of bravery next month.)

Angela

Africa opened up about her history of domestic violence and the strength it took to take her children and leave her husband to start over in a country where she barely spoke the language. 

Our interactions were brief, but the energy in the “glam room” was that of support and love. 

In the studio, Whitney was working her magic with each woman, making them feel confident and beautiful. Your hair is flawless! Oh my gosh you have the most perfect jawline. Yes, those eyes! You’re killin’ it! It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for her when it comes to shooting any client who walks through the door, but today was different. These women have overcome obstacles and carried weight on their shoulders that we don’t know about, that maybe is only seen in their hesitance to meet the camera’s eye. Whitney took the time to make them feel beautiful, radiant, and cared for, and the proof is in their stunning images. The person who entered the studio was not the same person who emerged. 

The day came to a close with smiles and hugs of gratitude, exchanged phone numbers, and more than a few happy tears (my own included). Giving the gift of confidence to these women who have overcome so much in their lives, and providing them with a gorgeous portrait that they can share and keep forever, means just as much to us as it does to them. It's unbelievably rewarding when we're lucky enough to have the opportunity to share our skills and talents with others in the community. I'm so grateful to be with a company that values lifting each other up whenever we're able. As our stylist Kearra said, it's why we're on this planet.

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We couldn't have done this without the support of our amazing collaborators:

Jody White and Nicole Roe Sickels of Dress for Success Des Moines

The Glam Squad:
Kelsi Ziemann with Kelsi Ziemann Artistry
Ivy Boyd with Ivy Boyd Makeup Artist + Beauty Blogger
Natalie Sanger Gendle with Academic lash & beauty
Stacy Syroka independent stylist at Elevencherry
Ashley Maree Harvey independent hair stylist
Kearra Chester independent hair stylist
Desi Joelle with Desi at Dolce

And our kind and patience videographers (video to come): 
Caleb and Joe Stevens

And lastly, a huge thanks to the Ivory House team: Megan, Rachel, and Lucy.

The Ivory House Photography Team

I started Ivory House Photography as a one-woman show, working out of my mom's house, hustling and hoping that someday I would have a team to support my big, big dreams. The ladies in the photo above are truly my right and left hands (Winston's just there for his good looks and snuggling abilities). 

Megan came to me my very first summer as a college intern. She showed up ready to work and always seemed to be available when I needed her. When I found myself in desperate need of a production assistant, she was the first person I turned to. Megan's diligence and commitment to quality can be seen in every image that leaves the studio. She has taken on every challenge and every task with such exuberance and excellence. Working with her is a dream. 

Rachel Peterson and I often joke that we have no idea how we met, but that meeting changed the game for Ivory House. Are you liking this blog? Do you enjoy Wednesdays with Whitney and my awesome Instagram feed? Did you find value in following along with the Empowerment Campaign!?! These momentous digital feats are all possible due to the type A brillance Rachel possesses. Her attention to detail and genuine passion for the Ivory House mission make me stronger and more confident in my path. 

We are looking for another member to add to the Ivory House team!!! We are growing fast and I want to spend as much time as possible doing what I love - photographing, connecting with others in our community and dreaming big. To do this, I need some support! I am in need of an Administrative Assistant with basic graphic design skills. The position is 15-20 hours a week with huge opportunities to grow both in skill set and responsibilities within the business. Pay will dependent on work experience. This job is best suited for someone just out of college looking to gain small business management skills or someone looking for a flexible work schedule in a fun, motivating boss-lady environment. 

What will the Admin be doing?!?! A little bit of everything. The Admin is the grease in the wheels, they are the jelly to my peanut butter. I'm looking for a Type-A, hyper-organized person to corral my big dreaming brain. Does this sound like you?

- Strong Organization Skills and Ability to Prioritize

- Must be able to work independently

- Positive Personality

- Basic Graphic Design Skills

- Excellent Phone and Email Skills

- Must Love Dogs and Food

- Team Player in every sense of the word

Day to day tasks include: Managing the Ivory House client management system, invoicing, scheduling, client communication, basic graphic design (tasks such as formatting photos for a blog, creating PDFS and basic album layouts). Basic knowledge of Photoshop and inDesign are desired, or a strong desire to learn independently while on the job. 

If you wish to apply, or know someone who would love this opportunity, follow this link to apply. Please complete the application, then send a cover letter and resume to hello@ivoryhousephotography.com

Home Coming: The Top 5 Reasons I LOVE DSM.

Hello all! 

First of all, I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone involved in my big life transition. There are so many people in Rochester, NY, Des Moines, IA, and cities far and wide who supported me in making this relocation dream come true. 

I've been back in DSM for a little over a month and I have to say, I'm astounded. The support I received upon my arrival was more then I ever could have anticipated. I'm so grateful and I feel compelled to gush. So here it is - my top five reasons I'm ecstatic to be back in DSM! 

4. Open and inclusive attitude: I am overwhelmed by the resounding "YES" I've received when inviting people for coffee. Community leaders are thrilled to take time out of their day to enjoy a conversation with this young entrepreneur. Wedding vendors with well established creditability and awesome work ethic have instantly accepted me into their inner circles. Countless strong and impressive young women in the community have taken me under their wing as friends and confidants.  I am truly honored and thrilled to be part of these ever growing and inclusive circles of strength. 

3. Gorgeous places to shoot, be entertained and be enthralled: The change in Des Moines from when I was a high schooler to now is beyond comprehension. I am so proud of my town, even though I can't take any credit for this transformation. I look forward to being a positive influence in this community in the years to come. 

2. Impressive female leaders making a difference in Des Moines: Now this might truly be one of the most engaging points this community offers me. Everywhere I turn, I see women making real, measurable changes in our local and global community. I see these women reaching out and offering a supportive hand, getting down and dirty for conservation issues and stepping up to the capital to speak their mind. I am honored to join your ranks. Thank you for leading the way.

1. Family: I lived in Rochester, NY for seven years. That was seven years of texting, FaceTime, extended weekend visits and treasured Christmas vacations with the people I love most. I have to be honest, I forgot what it was like to have my family around. I forgot what it meant to be able to call on them ANYTIME, for ANYTHING. Being here, surround by these people is the best thing about Des Moines. 

COMING HOME TO CAPTURE YOUR ALWAYS

Always: Every time, for every occasion - without exception.

The word always conjures certain nostalgia in my life. I am guilty of using this large and powerful word without proper distinction. Growing up, my mother would frequently retort, “Always? Your brother always starts the fight?” This happened so frequently that when I turned 18 and left home for college, the thought of tattooing the word always on my body crossed my mind more than once. The medium seemed poetically fitting. 

This idea of always propelled my return home to start Ivory House Photography in Des Moines, IA. I want to grow my life and business near the people who I know will always support me. It is with this commitment to my own legacy of always and passion for my clients' version of always that I open the proverbial doors of Ivory House Photography and welcome you with open arms. I can’t wait to meet you, your spouse and your family members. Together we are going to capture memories that will last for your lifetime and beyond.

In honor of the importance photos play in my own life, I thought it was only fitting to share a few of my favorite images. Over the past few years I've had the opportunity to work with the best photographers in Rochester. Thanks to Natalie Sinisgalli and Rachel Liz for capturing the people I love most in such a beautiful and honest way.