The Motherhood Edit ✨
Since launching The Motherhood Edit, I have felt myself drawn to write some of the noise in my head down. Maybe this is to help explain why photography is so important to me? or to give more insight into what to expect when you book with me? or maybe to be vulnerable for a moment? Stepping in front of my camera, or any camera, is a daunting prospect for most women. Perhaps this is the reason we are the ones behind the camera, not in front of it.
We are so often the ones taking the pictures -the cute moments between our children and their loved ones. But how often is that reciprocated? I swear if I were to look into it, there would be at least 5 pictures of my son and partner to every 1 picture with me in it (that I didn't have to ask for). Now, before someone comes for me, I am by no means am I meaning this to slag off our partners and other loved ones - but I sometimes feel that we, as mothers, are so acutely aware of how quickly time passes. And as a result, we want to capture the moment. Freeze it so it slows down.
There's a gorgeous lyric in one of my favourite songs by Cody Fry - aptly named "Photograph". For me, it sums up what I feel photography is all about. It goes:
"If I wished myself a superpower
I would make this moment last for hours
If I had my will, time would just stand still
Wait for me until I find some magic film
To take a photograph and live inside"
Being a mum is easily the hardest, and most incredible, experience of my life. I am constantly amazed at how this beautiful little human that I created can cause my blood pressure to sky rocket in one moment, and in the next breath he is the sweetest, funniest, cuddliest boy. His little hands always reach for mine when he's sleepy - and it's my favourite thing ever. That small little moment.
All those small little moments, the chaotic and the calm, deserve to be immortalised. Captured. Frozen. Remembered.
I wanted to create these intimate, slow sessions to allow a space for you and your children to bond. To just be. No pressure, no expectations. To be frozen in time just as you are at that moment - a mum with her greatest treasures.
My hope was to capture your version of motherhood as it exists for you right now.
It does not have to be perfect to be meaningful. If anything, it's the chaos and imperfection that I feel makes the images a true time capsule.
I have recently been reminded that nothing is guaranteed. Our time on this earth is not infinite. These sessions are about giving our children, families, loved ones - something to cherish. To look back on should they ever have to. You are the first chapter in their story.
For the mums that message and say "Oh I'm so awkward in front of a camera", or "I'll just wait until I've lost a bit more weight", or "I hate how I look in photos" - I hate to say it, but no-one except you cares. Your children wont ever look at those photos and see the fat rolls, or the wrinkles around your eyes, or whatever insecurity you have. All they will see is their mother. Their incredible, loving, funny, squishy (in my case) mum.
[Side note: Everyone, except perhaps the professionals, is awkward in front of the camera at first. It is my job to help you forget I'm there and to allow you the space to connect with your family.]
And although these sessions are being advertised and driven for Mother's Day - these are available upon request all year round. Motherhood isn't isolated to only one day a year, and I will happily capture you in your Motherhood Era anytime time, year round.
And a footnote to all the mothers I know. The mothers I have photographed in preparation for this series. To my own mother. To my friends who are not yet mothers. I see you, and am so grateful for you. You are all powerhouses and I am so lucky to have you in my corner cheering me on and picking me back up when I have, once again, bitten off more than I can chew. I love you all 🤍
