​How did you get your start 
as a photographer?
I started as an actual BUSINESS (license, insurance, the works) when I moved down here from Missouri in October of 2014. I had always had a camera around my neck BEFORE that, but in October, all the teaching jobs are FILLED, and no one needs a substitute yet, either. :D Rather than mope around on the couch, I decided to chase my other passion…photography – and I still get to work with kids! <3

What has been your biggest challenge as a small business owner?
Back end work. Keeping up with all the permits, licensing, insurance, advertising…I do it, of course, but I’d MUCH rather be creating art. :D

What is nature's child photography 
known for in our community?
Gosh. I would LIKE to say it’s my amazing personality and bodacious body…BUT I’m going to go with my ability to capture your genuine selves, timeless non-fad artwork, quality heirloom prints, albums, and other commissioned pieces, and excellent customer service. 

I’m also pretty active in the volunteer community with Momcology and V for Victory – both of which help families affected by cancer. In 2019, I created a calendar that helped raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand – a non profit organization that also helps families affected. I had to take a break for 2020 and 2021 due to the spread of the virus and the viral sensitivity of the subjects, but I PLAN to be able to do it again in 2022.

What is your favorite part of 
being a photographer? 
Seeing people come alive…with love, with happiness, with raw emotion. And when I get goosebumps? I know it’s a win. 

What is your perfect photoshoot? 
Honestly? Anytime a family trusts me completely, from styling ideas, to location, to posing/unposing. THAT’S when the magic gets to truly happen, and the good times flow…and you see it on your pictures later!

What are your hopes for the future?
I’m pretty happy right now, to be honest. MAYBE, in the far future, expanding my studio space for my Santa experience sessions? We’re cozy right now, (and I like it like that), but a little space never hurt anyone either. :D  

Pets R Family
3035 County Road 210 West, St Johns, FL 32259
(904) 452-7387
www.petsrfamilyvet.com

​In the world in which we live, we have all seen the continued transition of Privately Owned Businesses being purchased by large Corporations and Investment Groups, to add to their geographical footprint and overall sales volume.   It has happened in every category, and in every service type.  This is also true of the Animal Industry.  We have seen so many of the privately owned, family owned or single Doctor owned practices, sell to large entities and groups, as supply costs continue to increase,  HR management becomes more of a hurdle, and services become an ongoing challenge to manage and balance.  This has been going on for over 30 years in our industry, but has reached a critical mass in the past 5 years in our market area.  This transition has created a divide between the “Traditional Quality Vet Medicine” that most Doctors entered into the Veterinary Industry to practice and be part of, and the “New Corporate Vet Medicine” that is becoming more prevalent, and less focused on being a quality medicine practice.   

This is a key industry shift, and one that sets apart the “Total Quality Pet Care” focus vs, the “Budget Package” focus of the Corporate Vet practices.   Consumers need to fully understand the difference, and there needs to be an awareness of the details and services within, as you make decisions for the very best medical care for your pet.  
Corporately run Vet practices have done research and completed studies that show what the very best opportunities are to reach a high percentage of the population with pet care, devise a “Budget Based” system for the pet owner, and achieve a “Turn Rate” of clients that is high enough to achieve a maximum profitable ratio. 

Then, just like a fast food chain, they create cookie cutter outlets of that format, where they can offer the exact same design, to then increase their footprint and overall dollar volume.  Certainly these companies still have caring and well trained people looking after the pets and clients within this format.

​However, those same well trained employees who got into the industry to offer great pet care, are now adhering to sales quotas and working within tight parameters on what they can do.   Additionally, the Corporate “Package” entity that has taken ahold of the pet industry and consumer base, leaves out one clear medical fact……..that the health of living animals cannot be defined by a “Package”.    It is our belief, and the belief and practice of “Quality Medical” facilities everywhere, that if you treat the “Package” you win some you lose some, but if you treat the “Patient”, you win every time, no matter the medical facts.   Veterinary practices, with the exception of Low Cost Clinics, and Shelter Medical facilities, certainly are “For Profit” businesses.  

We all have to pay our personnel, buy our expensive equipment, and pay back our student loans for our Vet Degrees, and keep the lights on in our buildings.   So certainly we all must have some focus on pricing and the optimal ways to reach as many people as we can with the knowledge of our practices.   However the key difference that is evolving, is that the “Quality Medicine” focus of private practices, is completely focused on total pet care from the tip of the pets nose to the tip of the pets tail.   A “package” does not define the limits of our scope, nor does it drive the register ring.   

Our practice at Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, is totally focused on the highest quality pet care and client experience.   We approach pet medicine from a two tiered level of, quality and fact based medical research and resolution along with education of our client owners, for an improved “best life” opportunity for your pets.  We offer a leading edge facility with equipment, hospital and medical protocol design that is of the highest level.   And we operate with a trained, professional staff, that is built with a service ratio greater than other practices our size.   We have chosen this design to better serve our clients with attention, communication, education, and supporting services that make your pet care experience fulfilling and complete.    And we start each day with the promise that we operate under the tenants that have been offered to us by our Creator, of Love, Care and Compassion.  

At Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, we believe that your pet is truly a part of your family, just as we feel about our own.  And we approach each patient with the focus of providing the very best in pet care.  Never will you hear us speak of a “package” or a designed program that has nothing to do with your pets needs.   We believe that each pet is a different and unique living creature, that deserves our upmost attention and effort to achieve the best medical care and quality life possible.  That’s why we say “At Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital, we are your other family Doctor!”