Friday Introductions: Meet our Creative Team

We're continuing on the Friday Introductions bandwagon, and taking time each week to introduce you to some of our amazing volunteer staff! Because our wonderful staff has grown so much, (amazing, truly.) We are doubling up each week on the introductions. This week we are going to introduce you to the ladies who help us with visual beauty you see on our website and other materials! First up, meet Janine. Her keen eye for design and her kind spirit come together to add a unique element to The Motherhood Collective's imagery and design concepts. While her work is done mostly behind the scenes, we couldn't do what we do without her. 

1) Introduce yourself!
Hey there! Janine, 27, married to Joel, a super cute and talented photographer. We’ve been married since 2010, no kids yet! I am the Creative Director for a Christian jewelry company, hollylane.com. I often wear many other hats since it’s a small business; I love that no two days are the same and I get to be creative in many different ways.

2) How did you come to work with TMC?
I’ve known Lauren for a while and while at a Vintage Lynchburg sale a few years back she mentioned TMC was in need of a designer, the rest is history.

3) How do you take your coffee?
Black, though I do love a good sugary drink now and again.

4) If you could pick any vacation in the world, what would it be and why?
Any place there’s beautiful scenery for me to enjoy and for my husband to photograph. 

5) What do you anticipate in regards to motherhood?
I anticipate more love than I could ever imagine on less sleep than I ever thought possible.

6) And what are you scared of about motherhood?
Everything! Just kidding… but kind of not.

7) Leggings as pants: yay or nay?
As long as the tush is covered, it’s a-ok by me!

8) Favorite TV show?
Gilmore Girls, always and forever. I think this show is why I tend to talk too quickly and insert random pop culture references into conversations.

9) Favorite junk food?
Chips and ice cream are my love language.

10) Best advice you've ever been given?
Before you speak, ask yourself if it's true, kind and necessary.

Now we introduce you to Sara Ernst! She's the eye behind the camera capturing all of our beautiful images that you see in our materials. She is kind, genuine, and passionate about sharing encouragement through her motherhood journey; we are so thankful for her beautiful contributions!

1) Introduce yourself!
Hello friends! I’m Sara Ernst and I have the honor of being called wife, Mommy and photographer! I met my husband almost 17 years ago in college and began my photography business 13 years ago! It’s been the most amazing ride and now I am a mother to a sweet and nurturing little girl who will be 3 this summer! I’m about to be 36 years old and I’m owning every second of it! 

2) How did you come to work with TMC?
I’ve known the fabulous Lauren Barnes now for quite a while and was honored to have her as my labor-support (aka Rock) during my pregnancy and birth…the Lord placed Lauren in my path for very specific reasons and it was through her that I came to be apart of TMC.

3) How do you take your coffee?
While I am a sucker for a good vanilla latte, I’m pretty positive that I was British in a former life…I am a die-hard tea drinker. And I fully admit that I’m a little snobbish when it comes to which kinds I drink and how I take it. 

4) If you could pick any vacation in the world, what would it be and why?
Oh boy! Let’s see…I would probably go for a magnificent trip through Europe. The one that makes it’s way to England, Italy and probably Ireland!

5) What has been the hardest part about your motherhood journey?
The overwhelming change of life when you have a newborn that you only think you’re as ready as you can be for…when it reality, it hits you like a Mack truck! Our sleep journey has also been quite a long road, but everything has it’s season!

6) What has been the best part?
The reward of watching this incredible little person change from a screaming infant to this mellow, compassionate, sweet and genuinely caring and helpful child with a heart as big as her body! 

7) Leggings as pants: yay or nay?
You know what? Everybody’s got a flavor! If leggings are your pants…then you go ahead and rock the heck out of them! 

8) Favorite TV show?
This is hard because I have different shows at different stages through my life, but one of my favorite television series is/was Road To Avonlea. It aired around 1991 or 1992 and was a spin off from Anne of Green Gables. I currently own all 7 seasons…I’m just saying. 

9) Favorite junk food?
Homemade apple, strawberry or cherry pie doesn’t stand a chance around me! 

10) Best advice you've ever been given?
Don’t believe the thoughts you have about yourself when you are overwhelmed or when you feel there’s a black cloud over you. Those thoughts are never true…they are just products of a bad or sad mood.