There were so many moments during this year’s Mother’s Day minis that felt worthy of being frozen in time forever.
Tiny hands wrapped around mama’s necks. Sweet kisses pressed onto cheeks. Endless giggles echoing throughout the studio. Twirling dresses showing off their fullest potential in motion. Snacks being handed out like currency in exchange for smiles. And so much love. So much beautiful, overwhelming love for every mama who stepped in front of my camera.
But my favorite moment?
It happened quietly. Unexpectedly. And honestly, it completely melted me.
One of my dear friends was spending a little extra time loving on her baby girl during their session. Naturally, everyone’s attention shifted toward the baby for a moment, which typically wouldn’t have been a problem for her older son. Historically speaking, our relationship with photos has required… negotiation. And by negotiation, I mean full snack bribes. If you know, you know.
But this time was different.
While we all admired baby sister, he calmly walked over to the bench in front of the backdrop, sat himself down, looked directly at me with the biggest serious eyes, and said: “What about me?!” And then, before anyone could even react, he smiled for a picture completely on his own. No snacks required.
I think my heart exploded a little bit in that moment.
Because I’ve known him since he was a newborn. I’ve watched him grow from a tiny little baby into this hilarious, expressive, sweet little gentleman with opinions and personality and the confidence to demand his own spotlight when necessary. Watching children grow up through my lens is one of the greatest privileges of this job.
And honestly, there are so many families I can say that about now.
That realization hit me hard during these Mother’s Day minis. Looking around the studio and seeing familiar faces, growing families, new babies, toddlers becoming big siblings, and mamas loving their babies through every stage of life reminded me just how lucky I truly am.
These aren’t just clients to me anymore. They are memories. Milestones. Friendships. I’ve watched so many of these stories unfold from the very beginning, and getting to continue documenting them year after year feels incredibly special.
Motherhood itself was the heartbeat of these sessions. Not the perfectly posed moments or the perfectly coordinated outfits, but the realness of it all. The chaos. The cuddles. The snack breaks. The way little hands instinctively reach for mom when they’re unsure. The way moms somehow manage to love their babies so fully through every season, even while juggling a million things at once.
That’s the beauty of these sessions to me. They aren’t just photos. They’re little time capsules of what life feels like right now. And one day, these tiny moments that feel ordinary now will become the moments everyone misses the most.
To every mama who came into my Glenview studio this year, thank you. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for letting me witness your love, your chaos, your joy, and your beautiful families. Thank you for continuing to come back year after year and allowing me the honor of documenting your stories.
I truly love what I do, and it’s because of all of you. 🤍
