Being a Boy Mom
As I've journeyed through a few years of motherhood now, there are som fun quirks about being a mom to only boys or only girls (and all the various combinations present their challenges and joys!). I'm a boy mom. There are toy cars in my purse, rocks in the cupholders, and sticks that must not be thrown away in the stroller. When I meet other boy mamas, there's a bit of a shine we take to each other. This family is no different. Now repeat clients, they keep their hearts and hands full with a busy 4 year old boy and this sweet brand new baby boy who joined them just a few weeks ago.
Little Bennett is a curious little one, now almost 2 months old (but we still count in weeks because they're so new and fresh and we want to keep them small forever!). With shining blue eyes that are always looking for Mom, we capitalized on colors and let him dictate how the session would run. Lots of feeding breaks, letting us know what he liked, and snuggle time! While we changed backgrounds and worked on cajoling big brother into sitting still for a few photos, we chatted about construction vehicles, various boy mama struggles, and the normal mom struggles of juggling life and kids and self. The community and encouragement presented to each other is something I am passionate about bringing into all of my photography sessions. I want moms and families to feel like they get to be "real" - no need to set up a fake house, no need to pretend your children always behave, no need to put on fancy outfits or find some perfect spot. Backyards and basements, lived in homes, favorite playgrounds. This is the stuff life is made of, and what mamas will look back on with strong memories attached - and this is where I feel at home capturing families as they are, and making them feel like they are accepted as is (and that the photos are genuinely loved).
Bennett's session was full of boy: blues, greens, a bow tie. Big brother jumping off couches, showing his muscles, and playing with Dad. The outfits were easy and neutral, and while it wasn't some Pinterest or Tik Tok perfect session (they never are - it's all smoke and mirrors), there are genuine images of this family in all their true beauty. I left feeling encouraged, I left feeling joyful - and I hope I had the chance to give the same to Mom (and Dad!).
There's a simple joy in coming alongside another and walking with them in life. In some ways, I get to do that with my photography. I have images of baby Bennett that are black and white ultrasound photos from last fall. I have sweet pictures of big brother hugging his mama while she was pregnant. We've walked and talked, and knowing that the parenting journey is one so many more are on in this wild and chaotic life is a blessing.
Thank you for letting me walk with you and capture the messy, the silly, the sweet, and the beautiful of your family!
