SCOTTSVILLE — Between two sets of twins, a 2-year-old and starting her own business, Allen County native Andrea Harper doesn’t get a lot of sleep. People often ask her how she does it.

“I have a awesome support system for sure,” said Harper, who is opening Sweet Cheeks Studio and Boutique in Scottsville.

At 1730 Veterans Memorial Highway next to Griddles Country Cookin’, Harper’s boutique will feature shoes, pacifiers and brand-name children’s clothing – including hard-to-find boys clothing. Also offered are Posh Pushers, a line of stylish labor gowns offering women an alternative to conventional hospital gowns.

“I feel like we really need this in Scottsville,” Harper said, adding many in town have thanked her for bringing the business to the community. “They have to go out of town to find quality clothing for their kids, and I fill like it’s important to offer quality boutique clothing at affordable pricing.”

For Harper, opening the boutique fulfills a promise she’s been making to herself for years. Her children, who range in age from 8 months old to 6 years old, are the result of in vitro fertilization, which she blogs about at notsomuchcheaperbythedozen.blogspot.com.

Her husband, Cody Harper, teaches kindergarten and special education and his family owns Harper’s Catfish. Instead of spending the day fishing like some other fathers, Cody Harper helps look after his kids when his wife can’t.

The boutique also doubles as a photography studio and allows Harper to pursue her passion of photographing children and babies. She credits the recent discovery of this passion to her mother, photographer Nikki Wolfe. Wolfe started Wolfe Photography 16 years ago, from which Harper was able to branch out.

“My little bird is flying on her own,” Wolfe said. “I love that she’s always had the dream to open up a boutique. She just stayed focused on that and made it happen.”

Wolfe has multiple sclerosis, a progressive disease affecting the body’s central nervous system. Wolfe said her daughter starting spreading her wings as a photographer when she got sick and needed help running her business.

Instead of missing wedding assignments, Wolfe asked her daughter to step in.

“It was such a godsend because my health kept deteriorating, and I had to step back,” said Wolfe, adding she’s thrilled to watch her daughter follow in her footsteps. “She’s spreading her wings and flying, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.”

Harper described her mother as her best friend and said she asks her mother enough questions to make her feel like an internet search engine.

Despite the fact she hasn’t officially opened yet, Harper already has a large clientele. Among them is Crystal Boyd, who has been a client for the past seven years.

“She’s not just a photographer,” Boyd said. “We’re really good friends.”

Boyd said Harper has a gift with children and a knack for producing “phenomenal” photography. Her success comes from patience and putting what’s best for the kids first during photo shoots.

Jessica Cline, a Scottsville resident and longtime friend of Harper’s, also said she has a way with kids. As one of Harper’s friends growing up, Cline remembers her creativity and enterprising spirit.

“She always puts a smile on your face,” Cline said. “She’ll always make you laugh when you need her to.”

Beth Cunningham, another client of Harper, attested to her creativity and openness to suggestions.

“She was always coming up with something new and different,” she said. “When you have ideas you can run stuff by her.”

Although she also shoots maternity and family photos, Harper said photographing children is where her heart is.

“I’m always able to get cute expressions and natural smiles,” Harper said. “It’s not always easy, and sometimes I have moo like a cow and bark like a dog to make it happen. But I feel like being patient and being a mom really helps me in that area.”

— Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @aaron_muddbgdn or visit bgdailynews.com.