Today we’d like to introduce you to Traci Lynn Fugitt.
Traci, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started my photography journey when I was growing up, my grandfather was always the man behind the camera, whether it be video, film, and now digital, he was always recording our important times, and that’s basically how my mind was raised. As you get older, you see how life changes, and you constantly wish for a pause button. I was in college, ready to be a teacher, and something clicked in my mind saying that was not for me. I stepped away, and shortly after that, I had my son and didn’t want to miss a moment of him growing up. In 2010 I launched my business, Traci Lynn Photography, and haven’t stopped since. I started small with sessions around town, started photographing out of my home, and then outgrew all of that and chose to open a studio in town.
Over ten years in the business, I’ve loved every moment of it! I have met so many incredible people, and my life has been touched by their stories. Recently I’ve been a gestational carrier, a surrogate, because of the impact from meeting parents that have struggled to have children of their own and have unfortunately had clients experience pregnancy loss when planning sessions. I believe my choice in surrogacy was highly influenced by my career. My heart is very much involved in my business.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t always been smooth, it’s hard to keep going when the community is ever-changing, the world of social media advertising is intimidating and often times it weighs you down. The hardest part in my journey has been trying to juggle everything at once. I’m a mother, first and always, and then my job comes next, so I have found myself fumbling with communication, getting enough sleep to function and play all the “roles” involved with being a Mom and business owner. It’s all worth it, but it’s definitely a struggle.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
My business is Traci Lynn Photography, located in Mabank Texas, I specialize with newborn photography and provide a service to where I photograph all ages, so often times I see them grow up over the days, months, years, and become close with their parents. It’s like having paparazzi that is your friend. I think that’s what sets me apart from a lot of “portrait photographers,” I don’t end my business with an invoice, I’m constantly checking in on people I’ve met through my business because they mean more to me than the paycheck. It is a work of the heart to hold their babies and provide them with everlasting memories and see them grow up in front of my lens, it’s pretty amazing. I’m most proud of how my work has evolved and how it’s just so easy to love what I do. I love that I’m known as “the baby lady,” and people have built this reputation for me on trust and love. They know that when they come to me it’s not a service, it’s an experience.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband is my biggest fan and sole supporter through all my adult life. I can be having the worst day or doubt myself in the slightest and he’ll pop in like, “Hey, don’t do that, you’re amazing!” And suddenly, I’m on top of the world and feel like I can do anything and everything. He believes in me more than I have ever believed in myself. I am proud to parent with him because I know our kids are learning that value. When I was little, my role model was my grandfather, my Papa, he’s a hardworking man even to this very day at 83 years old. He is the definition of “Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I was raised by my grandparents in Tool, Texas and between his wisdom and my grandmother, my Nana’s, unconditional, unmeasurable love, I was raised to live in a positive light.
In high school, I was always the “documenter.” I was always snapping pictures, I even did a few of my friends’ senior photos (I joke and say they all owe me money now since it’s my job.) So I guess I could say every person that has been in front of my camera has influenced me in some way, they’re the fuel to my fire.
Pricing:
- Newborn photography starting at $299 plus tax
- Birthday photography starting at $299 plus tax
Contact Info:
- Address: 107 N. Third Street Mabank Texas
- Website: tracilynnphotography.com
- Phone: 9036001085
- Email: tracilynnphotog@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/tracilynnphotography
- Facebook: facebook.com/tracilynnphotog
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