The C Family [Naperville Family Photographer]

I had so much fun photographing the C family on a beautiful spring night recently! This was a Mother's Day gift for Bonnie (love that!!) and it was the first family photo they've had taken in a long time which made it even more of a special gift. Nolan was a hoot, he kept me on my toes and made me consider watching Captain Underpants (if only for the use of conversation during 4 year old boy sessions in the future). Here are some of my favorites from their session!























Jen Madigan Photography is a Naperville, IL and Iowa City, IA based photographer available for travel worldwide. She specializes in maternity and lifestyle newborn photography.

 I would love to tell your family's story through photos! View my portfolio or contact me for details and to book: info@jenmadigan.com

Girl Boss: Erica from inSpirit Healing Arts

Happy Friday all! This post is part 3 in my weekly "girl boss" series (view the others HERE!) and this week I'm proud to feature my masseuse, spiritual guru and friend Erica, who owns inSpirit Healing Arts in North Liberty, IA.

Erica is one of those people who you just love immediately, her energy is just so wonderful and she radiates love and kindness! I started going to Erica weekly for massages during a really tough personal time in my life, when I was also having some health issues and she was truly a God-send! She helped the healing process both physically with massage and Reiki, but also spiritually with her meditations during the massage. I honestly don't know what I would do without Erica, and am definitely going to miss her after my move (but I'll definitely be bugging her to get in when I am visiting!).



Also, thank you to Elizabeth from Girl Wonderful who sent me some shirts after I bought two for myself and was inspired to do this project. Please, check her out - I love what she stands for and her tees would make a great gift for yourself or any awesome girl you know!

Tell me about starting your business, what was your inspiration?

For as long as I can remember, I had a great interest in all things Spiritual. My grandmother, Marian, was truly a saint of a woman, and I would have long conversations with her regarding religion and human nature. Her answers were always very meditated upon and introspective. I started meditating and practiced Buddhism at the age of 14. I knew, around that time, that I was interested in medicine or healing.

I began my study in pre-medicine at the University of Iowa in 1996. My personal interest in medicine slanted toward Eastern modalities, so I went to Acupuncture-Acupresse Institute in Miami after three years of undergraduate work at Iowa. As life would have it, I got a divorce while attending Chinese Medical School and returned to Iowa, where as a younger human and given my loose ends, I simply wanted to complete a degree as quickly as I could to get out into the "real world." It was fastest for me to get a degree in business, and I like math, so I got a degree in Finance. While back in school here at Iowa, I worked as a Physical Therapy Aide at Progressive Rehabilitation Associates, utilizing the bodywork skills I had attained at Chinese Medical school. After that I moved to Dallas, and started studying massage therapy, as I knew my passion was not in business. However, during that time, I had an opportunity to move to Bocas del Toro, Panama, a little group of islands off the coast of Costa Rica and Panama, to practice massage (you don't need a license there) and to teach yoga to the clients who stayed at the hotel where I lived. 

When it was time to return to the States, in 2003, I received my first Reiki attunement - an energetic healing work, and I began energetic healing work, while returning to school to get my Master's in Nursing. Again, as life would have it, I got pregnant, with my amazing son, Alexander. As a single mom, I decided that I did not want to spend the time during his early years, working, studying, and being in rotations, so utilize that Finance degree, I did! When Alexander went to Kindergarten, I knew that I needed to return to my passion, full-time. I cashed in my 401K, left the safety net of my corporate job (much to the chagrin of my mother), and went to the Shiatsu Clinic & School to earn my massage therapy license... The rest is history! My work is dedicated to healing through bodywork, meditation, intuitive guidance, and taking care of yourself on all levels- physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. I love what I do, as truly it is a testament to all of my life experiences and studies, and it brings me joy to share with my amazing clients. 

Advice you would give to future female entrepreneurs: 

No matter what life throws at you, you can attain your dream. There is ALWAYS a means; remember the Universe is infinitely abundant. Know this to be true; work hard, and opportunities and the support of your friends, family, your partner, and other female entrepreneurs will rise up to greet you. If you choose the path of motherhood, being a mother is not a block to success. In fact, what better way to teach hard work, dedication, and a sense of being able to achieve your heart's desire, than to do so yourself. There is a wave in the rise of the Divine Feminine right now, so I encourage you to embrace that energy and bring your own inner goddess to global consciousness.

What decisions have you made that you feel have gotten you to where you are with your business right now? 

Taking a leap of faith is typically necessary when embodying your life's path. I have taken risks, and through dedication and hard work, those risks have been greatly rewarded. My heart and sincerest gratitude is in what I do each and every day, and I think that authenticity is a great part of my success.

What are some challenges you've faced along the way? 

Finding the perfect work-life balance has definitely gotten easier as my son has gotten older, but those early years proved a little more challenging where extra time was concerned to dedicate time to my studies- during the time at massage school- and later, to business development outside of my regularly scheduled healing sessions. Health insurance, as an entrepreneur, has always been a concern for myself and for my son. I was very thankful when Obamacare came into play, as it made that aspect more attainable for me.

Tips for balancing career and family/personal life? 

Learn when to say no. One of the joys and, at the same time, the difficulties of owning your own business is the ability to create your own schedule. Particularly, in the beginning, it is difficult to say no to new business, and in fact, probably a necessity. Know that this period can be sculpted as your move through your journey of creating a schedule that truly allows you to live your fullest life in all areas.

Describe your journey so far in three words: 

Miraculous. Joyful. Healing.

What as been the most rewarding part of owning/running your own business? 

Being able to do what I most love, healing body, mind and spirit, every day, whilst being able to be a present and grateful mother by having the flexibility in my schedule and joy in my heart to bring home.

If this is your part time thing, what else do you do for a career? 

This is it! Part of the greatness of being an entrepreneur is being able to fold in any aspect of your life of which you are passionate. The creative outlets are limitless and create new opportunities for dabbling in all areas that you love!

Where do you see your business in 5 years?

Ultimately, I will have a spiritual retreat where clients can stay for a multitude of modalities, classes, or a time to decompress away from our fast-paced lives. This may or may not unfold within that 5 year span... I do know, however, that I will be dedicated to my spiritual yogic practice during that time, teaching yoga when the time is ripe, continuing to see clients for healing session, and sharing the joy of my spiritual path, as well as the path of others, all along the way!



Do you know an awesome Girl Boss you want to see featured? Email me: info@jenmadigan.com!

Girl Boss: Coelle from Coelle Hope

Happy Friday all! This post is part 2 in my weekly "girl boss" series (view the first one HERE!) and this week I'm proud to feature one of my closest friends, Coelle from Coelle Hope.

Fun fact: Coelle and I met when I photographed her first son's newborn photos and then later, she trained as my assistant before moving to Madison about 2 years ago. She is super creative, hilariously funny, and is amazing at interior design. After living in two different homes in the Madison area within the first year, she honed her decorating skills on her own interiors and found that people were drawn to her style and eye for functional yet beautiful family friendly design. Her experience as a mom, living with three busy boys, has also given her an edge in the kid friendly department. ;) She recently was featured as the cover story in Brava Magazine June edition, and just did a fun Instagram playroom tour for the innovative Nugget couch for kids (or fun loving adults I suppose!). Trust me, this girl is one to watch!

Her website is coming soon, but until it's launch you can follow her on instagram HERE.

Also, thank you to Elizabeth from Girl Wonderful who sent me some shirts after I bought two for myself and was inspired to do this project. Please, check her out - I love what she stands for and her tees would make a great gift for yourself or any awesome girl you know!


Tell me about starting your business, what was your inspiration?

Creating has always been a part of who I am and I have always found a way to incorporate it into my life. I was doing family photography at the time I decided to make the switch to interior design and styling. I enjoy photography but I am passionate about design! My family moved twice in one year and this taught me so much about making your space functional, sourcing home items, and setting up a family friendly home. We did a few projects to our current home after moving in one year ago and I started receiving compliments on the progress we made, and having friends ask for help with their own home projects. I realized that if given the chance I will always chose to look at home design/architecture/style magazines, Instagram feeds etc. And that is about when it hit me that is what I should be doing!

Advice you would give to future female entrepreneurs:

Be brave, never be afraid to promote yourself! Dream big and don’t let anyone discourage your dreams. Be kind and collaborative with other creatives in your community. And know there will be ups and downs while working towards your goals, and riding out the low moments is part of the process.

What decisions have you made that you feel have gotten you to where you are with your business right now?

I’m early in the process but for me it was just taking the jump and telling everyone I was going for it. That opened the doors to a lot of support and my first client opportunities.

What are some challenges you've faced along the way?

So far most challenges have involved balancing business and family life. Such as mom guilt about leaving the kids to work on the business or spending the money on a babysitter.

Tips for balancing career and family/personal life?

Honestly, I’m still figuring this out and probably always will be! One thing I have been noticing lately is that I can fill every moment the kids are gone or asleep with building my business if I’m not careful…  but I need to remember to carve out time for myself and/or my husband as well!

Describe your journey so far in three words:

Just. the. beginning! (of something awesome!) Is that cheating, that’s more than three! ha!

What as been the most rewarding part of owning/running your own business?

I had a really rewarding moment when my oldest son Julian  (5 years old) told me that he wanted to be an artist AND a veterinarian when he grew up because “you are good at so many jobs Momma”. This conversation really drove home that my boys are seeing me pursuing my passion and taking it in.  I want them to know they can do anything they set their minds to. I want them to know that pursuing either creative endeavors or a non-traditional career deserves just as much recognition. And I also want them to know that women are equally capable to achieve!

Big picture though, it is very rewarding to know that I am in control of my own success. Each step of growth feels good because I know that is directly related to what I am putting into it.

If this is your part time thing, what else do you do for a career?

I also work on-call as a Women’s Health Nurse. I love doing this as well. I enjoy the team aspect of health care and the joy involved in helping others through big and difficult moments in their life. I have always needed more hours in the day for my interests!

Where do you see your business in 5 years?

I see a steady stream of projects and fun clients! I see an assistant!

Do you know an awesome Girl Boss you want to see featured? Email me info@jenmadigan.com!