Local StoriesApril 4, 2024

Meet Debbie McFarland of Cedar Hill Studio

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie McFarland.

Debbie McFarland

Hi Debbie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
This is my 25th year as a full-time photographer. I have built my business on being authentic and through kindness to others. My goal is to show people just how incredibly beautiful they are, whether that is empowering a tween or high school senior, showing the connection of a family, the love of a wedding couple, or the curiosity of a child.

I also have started a kindness group that has been featured on the news all over the US, have been trained and hold empowerment workshops for ladies and girls as well as opened a flower farm with my studio on the property. Growing up and into adulthood, I hated myself which affected my decisions and relationships. Once I had an epiphany, I decided that I would try my best to help others never waste another minute disliking themselves, if I could help it because when we do not have confidence, it affects our decisions and our relationships.

When I look into my camera, I see beauty in each and every person. In their eyes, I can see the fears, disappointments, and lack of confidence but when I can help them with their confidence, I can then see those eyes shine with inner beauty. I see their soul. My kindness group, Sparks of Kindness on FB, is about changing the world one spark at a time, whether that is random or the planned deliberate acts we encourage.

When planning out your week, think about where you are going, who you will see, and how you can make a difference and bring a smile to their faces. It might be leaving quarters on the gumball machine, encouraging notes at the grocery store, taking a hot chocolate to the crossing guard, or cookies to the doctor’s office. It has spread worldwide but locally, I also started Sparking Georgia on FB where we do hands-on activities to make a difference in the community.

Every year, we collect, sort, pack, and hand out approximately 600 bags for the homeless including a used bag, coats, blankets, hats, scarves, gloves, new underwear, socks, undershirts, toiletries, and snacks. We also have events to visit people in nursing homes and flash kindness mobs. People are encouraged to then return to the group and humbly share what they did, not to brag but to motivate and inspire others.

I do Tween Empowerment Photo Experiences, which is so much more than just the beautiful photos of the kids. I ask the moms to help me surprise them by involving people who love them so we can show the kids that they are admired for their inner qualities as well. That has been so incredibly helpful for them that I decided to hold Tween Empowerment events here on my flower farm.

The last one we did had 50 young girls come for a day of speakers who give tools for when they are having a bad day, tell them to embrace their uniqueness, and remind them that they are so much more than a number on a scale, a bikini size or how many IG likes they will get. The girls go pick flowers in my flower fields and we talk about how each type is beautiful in its’ own way, just like them. We then do professional photos and an empowering art project. It is a day full of love, swag, and magic.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Having your own business is never really a smooth or easy road but to me, this passion has been worth the struggles. Time management has always been difficult as I also have raised six kids during this time.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Cedar Hill Studio?
Although I am known for capturing fresh, vibrant, and natural photography for families to decorate their homes with wall art, I am really more well known as the “kindness lady” around town. It has now come full circle and all of my passions are intertwined. I am able to empower others through my photography and take empowering portraits as well.

I had my studio in Peachtree City for the first 23 years and then moved about 10 miles south to our little flower farm where I have my studio on the property. I have been able to build a business by being kind, true to myself, and authentic with my clients so that we become friends and they are loyal.

In the past, I used to do a beautiful baby contest and calendar to raise money for the American Cancer Society, raising over $15,000 a year for our local chapter. I also spend my birthday doing free photo sessions for anyone struggling with cancer. During COVID-19, I offered free sessions and images to anyone in the Class of 2020 in their cap and gown or prom outfit as they would not be celebrating as they so deserved.

During COVID-19, I also took photos and wrote about local hometown heroes, people I found who were stepping up and doing kind things to help others during COVID-19. I featured them on my blog and on social media to thank them. I have a Dream Team of high school senior girls who are with me for the year, as I shower them with love, empower them in my workshops, and take a ton of photos along the way.

Instead of a typical senior model team, mine is for the girl who wants a kinder, more loving world. I remind them to love themselves and empower them so they can then go out and love others. We can only love others once we truly love ourselves. Otherwise, we are concerned with ourselves instead (What are they thinking about me? What if they don’t like me?). The team then helps with my Tween Empowerment Event and helping the homeless.

I help families make their house a home by creating wall art or custom-designed albums with my photography, specializing in finished artwork that is guaranteed for life. I spend time getting to know about my subjects and then where they might hang in their home, even popping into the home to see the colors in the room, the wall space, and the size and finishes.

That way, I can help them plan outfits, colors, location for our stress-free session, sizes and framing as well as the “mood” of the art. For example, someone might want a large statement piece above their fireplace with the family laughing and hugging while walking through the pasture or on a dirt road. Maybe they want a beautiful piece of art above the sofa of their toddlers in the flower field.

Maybe an empowering portrait of their tween in a city alley looking fierce which will hang above the tween’s bed so they can see it before heading off to that difficult middle school for the day. Sometimes, people want all of their favorites in a gorgeous custom-designed album that they will be able to show their grandkids on the sofa 30 years from now. We plan for the end goal first, instead of just taking photos.

Any big plans?
My plans are to travel around the country holding my Tween Empowerment Event and taking the Tween Empowerment photo sessions, helping as many girls as I can before those difficult middle and high school years. I would love to be teaching classes to other businesses on how you can create a loyal following of clients who love you just by being authentically you, kind, and stepping up to help when you see a need. I want to make my Sparks of Kindness into a non-profit so I can help even more people.

We are excited to open our U-Pick Flower Farm, Cedar Hill Flower Farm, again very soon and look forward to hosting dinner with music and catered meals while overlooking the flowers and the incredible nightly sunset. I am thrilled and thankful to have this beautiful space to hold the workshops, classes, and retreats for ladies.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Crystal Marsh, Jessalyn Bradfield, Jaden Giorgianni, and Darlene Fountain

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