A Garden-Inspired Photoshoot for Joy’s First Birthday

A professional wedding planner and floral designer, Jasmine was saddened by the thought of not being able to celebrate her daughter’s first birthday due to COVID-19 restrictions. Thankfully, her friend, Jessica, offered a garden-inspired photoshoot to celebrate Joy’s first birthday safely.

I instantly began to cry tears of JOY. While quarantine my family has found much peace and rest in gardening. I also am a floral designer so my daughter Joy, along with her two big brothers have literally grown up around florals.

Jasmine lowery

Their garden-inspired photoshoot was the perfect way to celebrate Joy’s birthday.

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Details

• Name of Parents: Rashad and Jasmine Lowery (daughter’s name is Joy)
• Photoshoot Date: June 18, 2020
• Photoshoot Location: Richmond, Virginia

What are your occupations?

• Jasmine Lowery: Owner/ CEO of Agape Love Events, LLC
• Rashad Lowery: Coordinator of Campus Life and Community Stewardship at The Steward School

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What was the inspiration behind your family shoot?

Our daughter was turning 1 years old on the first day of summer and we wanted to celebrate her life!

What’s an average day like in the life of the Lowery Family?

Jasmine homeschools the children during the morning, while Rashad heads to work. The kids love time in nature and arts and crafts! During nap time, Jasmine will dedicate time to answering emails, designing mood boards, and hopping on video calls with clients. Once Rashad returns home from work we enjoy a nice dinner as a family. We also enjoy time praising and worshipping to our favorite songs and reading the Bible as a family. On the weekends we enjoy brunch dance parties!

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How do you find a balance between family, work, and life?

We set aside specific times during the day just for the family. During this time we unplugged and focus on doing things our family enjoys (boardgames, dancing, TikTok videos). Here is a link to a Black Families Matter TikTok video we made:

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What is the key to successfully raising children?

The key to successfully raising children is making sure their love tanks are full, choosing to be present over perfect, and creating a weekly schedule (kids crave structure to feel safe).

Do you have any tips/daily routines to share with other parents that you find has helped create a healthy balance or positive behaviors in your child’s(or children’s) life?

During the weekday we generally have the same schedule for the children. Here is a glimpse into our daily routine:

• 6:30 AM-8:00 AM – Mom + Dad wakeup spend time in prayer & prepare for the workday
• 8 AM- Dad leaves for work + kids awake for the day
• 8:AM-8:30 AM- Kids makeup beds, brush teeth, put on clothes and tidy upstairs
• 8:30 AM- Breakfast is served
• 9:15 AM- 10:45 AM Homeschooling lesson
• 11 AM -Outdoor play
• 11:30 AM – Lunch served
• 12:15 PM – 3 PM Quiet time for kids / Time for mommy to work on things for the business / Prepare for dinner
• 3:15 PM – Afternoon snack served
• 3:30PM-5PM- Kids free play & outdoor time
• 5:30 PM- Dinner time
• 6:15 PM-7:15 PM Family Time (unplugged)
• 7:30 PM Kids take a bath & prepare for bed
• 8:15 PM lights out for children

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How has parenting been during COVID-19/quarantine?

Parenting during COVID-19 has been an emotional rollercoaster. Prior to COVID-19, my family actually was praying for more opportunities to be together as a family. Our oldest son was in Kindergarten, my husband had started a new job and my wedding planning business was beginning to pick up. Our family schedule was jammed packed. Once the schools closed and our entire family was at home together, we were all shocked. Joy rushed in knowing that we could spend time together but then our kids were confused and really heartbroken that they couldn’t see family or friends.

Fast-forwarding five months later, we have now established new normals and found creative ways to stay in touch with our family and close friends (FaceTime, Zoom, Marco Polo, and even social distancing with mask in person).

Anything else you would like to share?

Raising small children (three under the age of 6) in the midst of a pandemic and the racial tension within our country has truly helped us draw closer to GOD and our family. We are definitely in a season of intentionally loving and honoring those in our tribe.

Vendors

Coordinator: Jasmine Lowery, Agape Love Events
Custome Made Flower crown: Jessica Semonite
Photography: Moonrise Photography