I thought today’s blog would be all about the family & senior photographer behind Jessica Idalia Photography…Me!  I think it’s time I share 10 things about me you may not know! Here goes!

1. I TRY TO LIVE A TOXIN FREE LIFE.

A few years back I read an article focused on the amount of toxic chemicals in products we buy and use on a daily basis.  I never realized that products found on store shelves could cause us so much damage, disease, and pain.  Ever since then I try my best to purchase only toxic free items for myself, my family, and our home.  I may still use some items that may not have the best ingredients, but it is definitely less than previous years.

2.  I WENT TO COLLEGE TO BE A TEACHER.

Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to teach.  I spent 20 years as an elementary teacher, elementary instructional coach, and a district math specialist.  In all that time I have realized that my love of learning is connected to my love of teaching.  That passion definitely helped me become the photographer I am today.  I am a self taught photographer and working with kids comes easy to me!

3.  I LOVE TO CLEAN MY HOUSE.

You read that right!  I love to clean my house and I don’t see it as a chore.  There is just something about seeing the AFTER that makes me so very happy!  And yes… I do use nontoxic cleaning products to clean every part of it.

4. SKINCARE IS MY JAM!

I am that girl that has a beauty fridge in the bathroom.  I just love my skincare routine and I am always searching for the best products for my skin.  Every night before I go to bed, I spend 15-20 minutes on my skincare ritual and I love every minute.

5.  I AM A MOM TO A TEENAGE BOY!

My son is 17 years old and is a senior in high school this year.  He is an amazing kid and he makes being a mom easy.  I am proud of him for the work he does in school, for how he treats the people around him, and for the help he gives me on a daily basis.

6.  I WAS THE FIRST IN MY FAMILY TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE.

As a college student, I never even thought about the fact that no one else in my family had ever graduated from college.  I went to college because it was the next step in my journey to become an educator.  But once I walked the stage and received my college diploma I knew how big this accomplishment really was not only for me but also my family.

7.  I lOVE TO WRITE!

Writing has always been easy for me.  It is something I love to do all the time.  I love to journal about my life and blogging about my work is definitely something that I enjoy doing.  I never knew how well I could write until others mentioned it.

8.  I AM A RULE FOLLOWER 100% OF THE TIME.

It is just who I am.  I am a rule follower and I do not like when others break rules.  For me, rules help keep things in order and people safe.  I am that person that gets anxiety when people around me are breaking any kind of rule.

9.  I LOVE TO BE HOME.

There is just something about being home that makes me happy.  I can stay home all day and always feel content.  Now it doesn’t always happen.  My guy makes sure I leave the house often and I have definitely gotten more accustomed to leaving the house.  But if I could choose what to do on a Friday night, I definitely choose to stay home.

10.  I HAVE A BONUS DAUGHTER.

My life partner is father to a beautiful teenage girl.  And since he walked in to my life, I have been blessed to have her in my life.  She is a bonus in my life.  She has helped me grow as a mom, has helped me experience having a another girl in this household, and she has definitely brought joy into my life.  I am grateful for her and her father.