Let them be little and photograph their daily lives. You'll treasure those images. Pinky swear!
Good morning, y'all! Thanks for stopping by the 'ol blog and seeing what I'm working on today. While I do like to showcase the latest newborn, child or family sessions I'm working on today is all about my little ones, Emma (6), Lucy (19 months) and Amelia (3 months). For example, this past week was Spring Break here in Houston, or at least in the Cy Fair ISD. As a photographer, one who does this full time for a living, I was spending a great deal of time with my camera documenting my clients who were off work or took time to be with their little ones. However, between sessions I really enjoyed having time with my own babies. I keep strict business hours, though there are days I don't see them as much as I'd like. There is this constant tug in motherhood; on one hand you want them to remain little but on the other hand you're so excited to see what's next. Childhood is the age of discovery.
So, for Spring Break we simply stayed home. We kept is simple and just enjoyed time together as a family. This meant playing in the back yard, cooking meals together, attending a few birthday parties - really just being a family unit. Moreover, I've been trying to remind myself to be in more photos. Often I am the one behind the camera, though recently the hubby has offered to snap quick images. I really appreciate this! Sometimes I think, "Oh, gosh - I don't have any make up on," or "I had a baby just a few months ago! We don't need to document this," but I'm learning to set aside my own vanity and remember this is where we're at in life. Things are a little crazy at my house with three kiddos; sometimes I don't even match or I lounge around in yoga pants (a girl's best friend!) or I'm wearing my glasses and have mascara on from yesterday. Yikes! But it's the truth. It's where things are. It's our current chapter in our story known as life. I keep reminding myself one day I'll be happy to have these. So that in mind, here are a few shots from our daily lives. I hope you enjoy! Thanks for viewing and stopping by. :-) It means so much to me!
To me, personally, there is a little bit of magic to a more candid, documentary style of photography. This is where kiddos most shine. There's no pressure. No one yelling, "smile," or "say cheese!" Instead, it's a natural approach to letting them be who they are. The photos are not necessarily "perfect"; you can see there are objects in the background, the kiddos don't match, etc, though despite the imperfections it enables us, as mothers, to see glimmers of our hopes, our dreams - the happiness we want for our children. Childhood is fleeting and these are the moments I'll treasure. Sometimes, at night, as the littles are sleeping, I will tell the hubby, "There will be a time when we don't hear their little feet running down the hallway. And this makes me sad." Photographs are a connection to our past - a tangible item you hold that brings you back to the very moment.
The hubby took these. It's the first time Lucy saw bubbles and it's safe to say she loves them!
Amelia, my youngest, is also officially three months old! She woke up in an exceptionally good mood so I grabbed my camera on afternoon and just captured her as she is. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her personality. She started out as a really colicky baby and it was tough. I know, in the world of motherhood, you're supposed to say you love every minute of motherhood but there were moments where I thought, "How will we get through this? How do I make this baby stop crying?" However, slowly you just adjust. You survive without sleep and your instincts take over; you love your baby through it all and come out with an even bigger appreciation for those little moments where your baby laughs. Or smiles. It's the most beautiful sound. You'll never forget it, either.
Thanks for stopping by and reading! I hope you'll come again. I also hope this blog post inspires you to perhaps get your own camera out and document your daily life.