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Capturing memories

At eight-and-a-half months pregnant, area photographer

By Avani Nadkarni/of The Herald

Stacy Jacobsen has her hands full.

With two boys younger than 6 and eight-and-a-half months pregnant with her third son, the obvious obstacles didn’t stop the Edgewood mother from opening her first business, a downtown Sumner photography studio.

“It wasn’t the perfect timing,” Jacobsen admitted of holding the grand opening on Feb. 6, just weeks before her due date. “But I just loved the space and really wanted to open a studio here.”

She wasn’t the only one who wanted her presence in the neighborhood: Thirty minutes before she opened the doors for the grand opening, a line of people was snaked around the block.

It’s a dream she’s been harboring for years. Jacobsen fell in love with photography as a high school student in Auburn and began to take it more seriously a few years ago, after moving to Edgewood with her husband, Brad. She began renting out space in other studios.

“It’s always been my creative outlet,” Jacobsen said. “After having kids, it was (even more important) for me to have photography. I love my kids, but I needed to have interests away from them.”

Jacobsen also teaches monthly photography workshops to everyone from professional photographers that want to get their businesses going to who she calls “moms who come in with the cameras they got for Christmas.” She’s been renting out various area conference centers or rooms for the workshop, so having her own space is a relief.

“That’s one of the main reasons I wanted my own studio,” she explained. “I love teaching these workshops.”

Jacobsen also hosts regular meetings for women who have taken one of her workshops in the past. Anywhere from 10 to 30 women show up for the free meetings, known as Shutter Chic meetings, to talk about new techniques and exchange ideas.

“It’s kind of like a girls night,” she said. “We’ve got a tight-knit group of (female) photographers in the area.”

After renting spaces for so long, the 2,000-square foot Main Street studio, complete with high ceilings, an exposed brick wall and ample space for three separate shooting areas, is a luxury for Jacobsen. She plans to take very little time off after having her baby, explaining that not only does she have a part-time assistant, but in her field, she can choose to work for only one hour at a time if needed. Jacobsen also enjoys bringing her 5 and 2-year-old sons, Tavin and Oliver, in to work with her.

“My having kids helps (me) to interact with kids that I’m photographing,” she said. “A lot of times moms get nervous about having their child photographed, worrying if they’ll sit still and behave. But I think it’s nice for them because I understand. I’m a mom.”

Her laid-back style seems to resonate with people: Jacobsen has collected clients from Seattle to Portland without spending a dime on advertising. Many couples whose weddings Jacobsen has photographed return to ask her to photograph their children. Puyallup resident Amanda Sagdahl, whose wedding Jacobsen is photographing in June, said she’d ask Jacobsen to photograph her future children.

“She is so creative,” Sagdahl said of Jacobsen, who also did her engagement photos. “She’s just a different photographer. Her photos — it’s artwork.”

Sagdahl first heard about Jacobsen from a friend, which is how the photographer has garnered most of her clientele.

“My business has been based on word of mouth,” she said. “It makes you feel really proud that people would refer you to their friends. You feel like you become a part of their families.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stacy Jacobsen Photography The Stacy Jacobsen Photography Studio is located at 1018 Main St. in downtown Sumner. For more information, call 253-324-6417 or visit www.stacyjacobsenphotography.com. Jacobsen also regularly updates a blog on her Web site, where she offers giveaways and tips.