“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” — Angela Schwindt
Motherhood is not just a role I play; it is the core of who I am. My children are at the heart of everything I do, influencing every thought, choice, and perspective I hold. Their unfiltered curiosity and sense of wonder have taught me to see the world through new eyes, to appreciate the beauty in the smallest details, and to cherish the fleeting moments that often go unnoticed. It is this sense of wonder and discovery that I strive to channel into my work and art.
Every day, I find myself mesmerized by the tiny, delicate features of my children; the curve of their lashes, the soft rise and fall of their chests as they sleep. In those still moments, time seems to stand still, and I am acutely aware of how quickly they are growing, changing, evolving. I want to freeze these memories, to bottle up the essence of their childhood and hold onto it forever. This desire to capture every fleeting moment, from their first wobbly steps to the way their eyes light up when they discover something new, is what drives my passion for photography. Each photograph becomes a tangible piece of their childhood, a keepsake that I will treasure long after these moments have passed. And this is the feeling I strive to create for my clients; a way to hold onto those precious, ephemeral moments of their own family’s journey.
I have grazed over this topic previously in blog posts; balancing motherhood and a full-time photography business is like walking a tightrope, constantly swaying between the needs of my children and the demands of my career. I am their primary caregiver, the one they turn to for comfort, guidance, and support throughout the day. My schedule is dictated by their needs, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yet, this means my business must be flexible, adapting to the needs and flow of our family life. There are days when I am up late, editing photos after everyone has gone to bed, and mornings when I am answering client emails with a toddlers on my lap. It’s not always easy, but it’s a rhythm we’ve found together; a dance that allows me to be fully present for both my family and my clients.
This flexibility has shaped not just my schedule but my entire approach to my business. I understand that families are busy, that parents often feel overwhelmed trying to juggle their many responsibilities. This understanding allows me to create an stress-free, enjoyable experience for my clients. I’ve learned that the most magical photos are often the ones that happen in between the planned shots; the candid moments when a child’s laughter fills the air, or when a family shares a quiet, loving glance. It’s in these unplanned, unscripted moments that the true essence of a family’s story shines through, and capturing these moments has become the heart of my work.
“The days are long, but the years are short.” — Gretchen Rubin
This quote resonates deeply with me because it captures the bittersweet truth of parenting. Each day can feel long and exhausting; filled with endless to-do lists, sibling squabbles, and bedtime battles. But when I look back, I am struck by how quickly my children are growing. Those once-tiny hands that used to reach for me now grasp pencils to write their names. The baby who once clung to my leg now confidently runs ahead, eager to explore the world on his own. These transformations happen almost imperceptibly, in the quiet moments of everyday life. And it is these moments; the tiny milestones, the subtle changes; that I want to capture for other families, so they too can hold onto the fleeting magic of their children’s childhood.
When I photograph families, I aim to capture the real, unfiltered beauty of their lives. I want to document the laughter, the chaos, the love that binds them together. I want to capture the way a mother’s face softens as she gazes at her child, or the way a father’s eyes light up with pride as he watches his little one take a brave leap. These are the moments that tell a family’s story; the moments that will bring tears to their eyes years down the road, as they look back and remember how it felt to be together in that exact moment, just as they were.
My children have taught me that the most compelling stories are not always the grand, dramatic ones but the simple, everyday narratives that unfold in our lives. The way they narrate their play, inventing entire worlds with their toys, or the way they recount their day, filled with wonder at the smallest details, has shown me the beauty of storytelling in its purest form. This has profoundly influenced my approach to photography, where my goal is not just to capture a beautiful image but to tell a story; one that is rich, layered, and deeply personal.
Storytelling in photography means going beyond the posed smiles and perfect lighting to capture the raw, unfiltered emotions that make each family unique. It’s about documenting the laughter, the tears, the quiet moments of connection that define their relationships. Understanding that many of the families I work with face similar challenges; juggling work and home life, finding time to connect amidst the busyness; allows me to create images that resonate on a deeper level. I strive to craft images that tell their story, that capture the essence of who they are in this moment, so that they can look back and see not just what they looked like but who they were; how they loved, how they laughed, how they lived.
There is something truly magical about seeing the world through a child’s eyes. Their capacity for wonder, their unbridled imagination, and their ability to find joy in the simplest things are qualities I strive to capture in every session. Whether they are chasing bubbles in a sunlit field or playing pretend in the backyard, I want to bottle up that sense of whimsy and preserve it in my images. My own children’s playful spirits inspire me daily, reminding me to slow down and savor the moments that might otherwise pass by unnoticed.
This sense of wonder is a guiding force in my work. I want to capture not just the image of a child but the spirit of who they are at that moment; their boundless energy, their curiosity, their joy. When I photograph children, I aim to capture their personalities in all their complexity, from the moments of exuberant play to the quieter, more contemplative times. These images are more than just pictures; they are windows into a child’s world, a glimpse of the magic they see in the everyday.
One of the greatest gifts I can give my clients is the ability to relax and be themselves during our sessions. I know firsthand how stressful it can be to prepare for a family photo shoot; getting everyone dressed, hoping the kids are in a good mood, worrying about whether they’ll cooperate. My goal is to take that stress away and create an environment where families can simply enjoy being together. I use playful posing, props, and even silly faces to help children feel at ease and to encourage spontaneity. When everyone feels comfortable, the authentic moments naturally unfold.
Building this sense of trust and connection is essential, and I believe that the more comfortable my clients feel, the more genuine the photos will be. I want to capture not just how they look but who they are; their personalities, their quirks, their unique way of interacting with each other and the world. These are the images that tell the true story of a family, the ones that will bring back a flood of memories and emotions each time they are viewed.
Life is beautifully imperfect, and I believe that the most meaningful photographs are often the ones that capture those imperfections; the tousled hair, the spontaneous giggle, the quiet gaze of a child lost in thought. I embrace the chaos and the messiness because that’s where the real stories lie. There is magic in the everyday moments that often go unnoticed, in the quiet corners of your home, the backyard adventures, and the little rituals that make up the rhythm of your family’s life.
When I look at my own children, I don’t just see them as they are now, but as they were. The baby I once rocked to sleep, the toddler who insisted on wearing superhero costumes to the grocery store, the child who is slowly, day by day, becoming their own person. I want to remember every phase, every quirk, every moment that makes them who they are. This desire to hold onto the fleeting nature of childhood is what drives my passion for capturing those same moments for other families. My goal is to create images that feel tangible and relatable, so that when you look back at these photos years from now, you’re not just seeing a picture but reliving a moment.
Motherhood and photography are deeply intertwined in my life. My children continually teach me new angles and perspectives with each session. They guide me on meaningful adventures, challenging and enriching me as a photographer. Each time I pick up my camera, I carry with me the lessons they’ve taught me - to see the world with fresh eyes, to find beauty in the ordinary, to cherish the fleeting moments. Every session I have is influenced by their unique outlook on life, and I know that their perspective will continue to shape my work in the most extraordinary ways.
“The best way to make children good is to make them happy.” — Oscar Wilde
To the families I work with, I understand the joys and challenges of raising children. I’m here to capture your story - in all its beautiful, messy, and magical glory. Let’s embrace the imperfections together and create something unforgettable that
