Hi friends — welcome to my very first blog post on The Ridge Photography by Annie Banton! After ten wonderful years serving families as a Charleston IL family photographer, I decided it was time to create a space where I can share not just my work, but my heart. This blog is where I’ll reflect on life, faith, motherhood, small business ownership, and what it’s really like navigating this journey in Coles County — the place I’m blessed to call home.
If we haven’t met yet, I’m Annie — a wife, a mom of three, a follower of Jesus, and a dual business owner here in Charleston, Illinois. Alongside The Ridge Photography, I’m also co-owner of Everett’s Place Play Café — a soon-coming, community-focused indoor play space and café inspired by my youngest son, Everett. Both of these businesses are deeply personal and built around my passion for family, connection, and creating meaningful spaces for others.
Everett is truly at the heart of so much of what I do today, but each of my children has shaped this journey in such meaningful ways. When my first child, Euriah, was born, he inspired the foundations of my photography business — he made me want to capture every fleeting, beautiful moment of childhood, not only for myself but for other families, too. When my daughter Maggie came along, she taught me the importance of balance — of building a business that allowed me to put my family first, to slow down, and to create a healthier way of working. And then Everett, our youngest, brought it all into sharp focus. He was born with a rare genetic disorder called Methylmalonic Acidemia Cobalamin B (MMA CblB), a condition that affects how his body processes certain nutrients. From the start, Everett’s diagnosis has challenged and strengthened our family in ways we never could have imagined. Through hospital stays, careful daily care, and moments of both fear and joy, Everett has taught us to slow down and truly treasure what matters most. Everett’s Place Play Cafe was born from that same desire — to create a safe, welcoming space where families can gather, where kids can play freely, and where parents can breathe a little easier.
Owning two businesses in Charleston IL and nurturing 3 children from home means my days are full. There’s always a session to edit, a meeting to attend, an event to promote. And as a mom, especially to a child with unique medical needs, it can feel like the to-do list never ends. But one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned (and am still learning) is that rest isn’t optional. It’s essential. It’s how I can be the mom, wife, business owner, and person God has called me to be.
The Bible reminds us of this in such a beautiful way. In Genesis 2:2-3, we see that even God rested on the seventh day after creating the world. Rest was His idea, a gift meant for our good. And in Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus offers these comforting words: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” In a world that praises hustle and busyness, God invites us to something better — peace, balance, and restoration.
Choosing rest — real, intentional rest — allows me to care for my mental and spiritual health. It lets me pour into my businesses with fresh creativity, connect with my family in meaningful ways, and serve my community from a place of fullness instead of exhaustion.
So as I begin this blog, I hope to encourage you — whether you’re a fellow small business owner, a parent, or someone trying to juggle it all. May you be reminded that rest isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. And it’s how we honor the lives God has entrusted to us. I also plan to use this space as part of my own self-care — a place to slow down, reflect, and share the thoughts and feelings I wish I could tell my mom, who I lost to cancer in 2019. I hope to write about the excitement of new adventures, the ups and downs of business and motherhood, and the lessons God continues to teach me along the way.
Thank you for reading and for supporting The Ridge Photography and Everett’s Place Play Café. I can’t wait to share more with you — about photography, business, motherhood, faith, and this messy, beautiful adventure we’re all on together.