Okay y’all, is it just me or did April & May feel like the time passing for one month not two? I know I am a mama bear of one, juggling work and “all the things” but in my mind I feel that in the photographer world April & May was merged into a new calendar month like Apray? Maybe I have watched one too many “Friends” episodes this month, featuring Phoebe’s hilarious life philosophies. Irregardless, it’s been a crazy past couple of months, filled with portrait sessions, emails, photography behind the scene things, allergies, working full-time, and keeping all my mother hood duties in tact.
Some ask, “How do you do it?” I usually follow up with, “I just do.” But if you really want to know, deep down, just between you and me, I may neglect the laundry or just opt out of making dinner that requires multiple pots, (or just go grab the $5 Lil’ Ceasars haha) Y’all the sandwich vibes are strong in our household, let me tell ya!
I make time for what I want. I don’t want to be tied to the kitchen, or doing chores when this kid is awake, I want to be making memories! Parker & I are usually home before J.T. since he works in the hay world and this time of year it’s non-stop, so me and the nugget spend as much time together. Even if that means pulling late nights to finish edits, I don’t want to miss a thing.
We eat, we go outside, play hard and laugh at the scenarios that involve Rufus, the Guineas, or most the time the shenanigans that these crazy animals on the funny farm pull together.
The other day I was dog-tired and when I came home I honestly was like, okay let’s chill and watch Kung Fu Panda for the 100th time, my welcoming committee had other plans. The committee consisted of 5 screeching (or more like ka kah? But this looks more like a word similar poop than the actual horrific pitch these birds were making) spoiled guineas wanting their corn, 2 barking pups, 1 large pup trying to steal the cat’s kitten for the 15th time to mother the kitten, the cat looking at me, “Well aren’t you going to do something about this?” along with a 2 year old toddler saying on repeat, “Mama I want a baaaaaaaar!!!” Y’all I cannot make this stuff up and knowing when you’re the Captain of the ‘Hot Mess Express’ is just that, a Hot Mess.
But despite the crazy life I may live in this busy season of life, I think of all the Mother’s out there and how we are all have our version of chaos. However long the list of funny stories, even if you want to pull your hair out, or grab the glass of wine, or whatever floats your boat after a long day, you’ll hear each Mother say the same, “I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
I know that us Mothers out there band together, or at least I do when I see another fellow Mom.
Megan, is an amazing mother to three sweet kiddos, and Kevin & her just welcomed their latest sweet nugget, Avery. Isn’t she just a doll? I probably could have just stayed and held her all day, she was just too precious. I know life with a newborn can be demanding, but if one thing rings true is it does go by way too fast. Megan & Kevin invited me into their beautiful home along with their precious family and y’all the session could not have gone any better!
I know portraits can be demanding on us Moms, getting the clothes picked out is seriously 50% of the battle and the other 50% is begging everyone to wear their clothes and after that battle it’s shouting, “Do not do anything but breathe for the next 10 minutes, we are going to look like normal people in pictures for once.”
I’ve been there and guys, honestly kids smiling for 30 minutes is a GOLD MINE. If they are willing to smile for any time after that and are under the age of 7, you have my friend, have reached #UNICORNstatus. And these kids hit the Gold Mine hands down!
So I want to encourage each of you, pictures are a lot of work, I will not lie, but to a Mother that knows how fast life will pass you by, you would do anything to go back and hold these moments. To freeze frame time. To remember the tired rocking snuggles, the make believe castles configured of play-doh made just for you, the toddler sounds of “I wuv you mama.”
You would do it all over again and you want to remember every moment that you possibly can.
I am so happy I was able to do this for the sweetest family, The Sparks! I adore these little guys, but importantly Megan & Kevin will adore these for years to come.
These are just beautiful. I love those moments when you just want to freeze time. They make you forget all the ones where you’re going, “Oh my goodness, are you done being three yet??” đ
I love this, so many great shots of this precious family. You can just see the love for each other this family has and the truck is an adorable addition. It can be so hard to photograph young children and newborns together and you did an awesome job!! Instagram: @juliannelizabeth13
Thank you Juliann!! The Sparks family is absolutely amazing! I have a few tricks up my sleeve but the kiddos were sweethearts!
Such a fun family! The pictures captured the family perfectly!
Instagram: @jessputz
Jess, I absolutely agree & love the little Sparks family! They’re too much fun!!