Read on to see why this session will go down as one of my forever favorites. (I have so many, I know! I just can't help it.) But this one was a little different.
It was my first "Mommy + Me" session in the studio and I was itching to take this using all the clean and creamy whites, from the bed linens to mama's dress and baby's romper, and only the natural window light. The whites and lights served to be the weightless canvas that would frame the heartfelt story I hoped to capture.
I envisioned that a playful moment with mama and her little one would naturally reveal innocent curiosities of a baby secure in her mother's reach - this surely would make for some adorable photos, yes. Yet, I longed to document so much more. I hoped to tell a mother's story, where each image reveals how a mother's heart falls in love over, and over, and over, again, and again, and again. I wanted my first and last click of my shutter to secure a momentary pause from her busy "day-to-day" and a much-needed getaway from the wilderness of the world, creating a sliver of time where she could take rest and indulge in motherhood's blessings. I hoped to capture her delight with every action and emotion, each one a beautiful reciprocation between mother and child - her awe in her child's wonderment of the world around her... her comfort with every little touch... her joy in every expression of this new personality. With the images captured from this incredible moment, I dream that she will be able to revisit this moment of great joy through her lifetime, retelling her story to her growing baby, and sharing it with generations to come.
Lexie and I were introduced by our mutual friend, Mary Kate, an incredible human being and amazing mother herself, whom we have both worked with in the past. I shared my desire for this session with Mary Kate, and she immediately thought that Lexie and her sweet little girl, Parker Everly, who was 9 months at the time, would be perfect for this "Mommy + Me" session at the studio. Chatting with Lexie about the session, what she and Parker would wear, and what she could expect was like talking to an old friend! I was so eager to share this experience with her and her daughter, as she invested her time and energy into how she and Parker could make the most of the experience.
When Lexie and Parker arrived at the studio, it was apparent my job would be easy! We played "The Happy Song" for Parker, but there was no prompt nor assistance necessary to enliven the bond she shared with her mama; they naturally interacted with so much affirmation of the love and joy between them. It was such an incredible honor to witness another mother's adoration for her baby that it caused me several times to tear up and think of my own children. Every heart in the room was overflowing with joy and I was able to document theirs. Respectively, the photos created from this session profoundly exceeded my desire for how I would capture their beautiful relationship. My dream for the outcome of this session will continue on, and I believe it will come true - that every image will be a page in one of Lexie's greatest stories, a treasure for her and Parker to share for their lifetimes, and one that will grow in purpose and value with the turn of each page.
After the session, I asked Lexie what she thought of the "Mommy + Me" portrait experience and the photos that were created from it. She said, "It's the most special time and I want to remember every second of it! Having a photo experience like this helped me to capture our relationship at this time and those precious mommy & me emotions." She remarked that she was moved to tears when she saw her gallery. "All of the images were filled with so much emotion. Happy tears! I will be so thankful to have these images forever and I think that Parker will feel the same when I show them to her when she's older and am able to recall specific feelings that the images evoke. I will tell her that this was the absolute most special time and that I wish I could go back to it. I'm happy that I have it so beautifully captured to bring me back as much and as often as possible. I will probably be crying every time I show her these pictures!"
Parker will celebrate her first birthday at the end of the month on April 28! We are so excited to wish her a wonderful day and many, many more to celebrate ahead!!
With every session, we ask our mamas to share something about motherhood with other moms - a story, advice, etc.
As moms, we are always thinking of our babies - whether it's their past, present, or future - how we love them is always on our minds.
Lexie shared a meaningful suggestion: "I started an email account for Parker and I email her little memories. It's just another way of remembering all of these little things I don't want to forget. I'm excited to let her read them one day."
This is such a creative idea to gift your children somewhere down the line. If you have started an email account like Lexie has done for Parker, let us know below!
Lexie, @lexsentials, is the co-founder of a holistic-minded mommy support group, Purely Holistics, @purelyholistics.
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