A Letter to You Mamas

Some photographers love celebrating Christmas or Valentine's day most of all with their clients, but honestly I have been waiting for Mother's Day!! I take very seriously my role as a mother, a daughter to my awesome mother and mother-in-law, being a friend to other moms, and my mission as a photographer in supporting families—which I think starts with moms.

I'm so thankful for this "job" that allows me to meet many other awesome moms like you! I notice you. You are good. You are a great actually.

This Mother's Day, not only take time to reflect on how far you've come as a mother, but also to reach out to another mom and recognize her. The most valuable gifts I have to offer mom friends are the simple things like:

• an ear to listen
• a shoulder to cry on
• a shared laugh at the crazy things
• a coffee (or harder)
• a tear at the super sweet sentimental things
• a high five for the accomplishments
• and simply saying yep, I get it. I've been there, too.

This is a time when I feel it is our job as moms to break down the silence created by this false illusion and competition of perfection and "having it all together". It's time to reach out to each other. Lift each other up. Even in the workplace. Especially in the workplace. To be able to say to each other, "This is hard" and still know that we are happy, deeply enamored with our children, and immeasurably thankful for our blessings. But this is the good, hard work that we can't do alone. Let's agree to always join arms. Let's always hug it out and embrace and respect our differences. Let's agree we all don't really know what we're doing, but we're doing our best. And please tell me when I am wearing two mismatched shoes or earrings or have food crusted on me, k.

Man, I love moms.

• Here is my favorite spoken word poem about being a mom to a daughter.
• Here's The Most Powerful Thing You Can Say to Another Mom
• Some lols - The Gospel Of Parenthood, According To Tina And Amy and Tina Fey’s “A Mother’s Prayer for Her Daughter”
• And one about those awesome dads #leanintogether video

Happy Mother's Day to the moms, peeps who have moms, peeps who want to be moms, who are friend to a mom, who are married to a mom. You get it.

Bierlink Family | Family Photography | Cheney, WA

I am seriously amazed over and over how small the world is and how incredibly lucky I am to work with the BEST clients/friends ever! Jenae and Kurtis are no exception. We have tons of random connections and got to bond over a fun evening shoot at their new home in Cheney! We got pretty dirty on the backroads, but it was so worth it! They are such a joy. The way Jenae looks at her boys with adoring love. The way Kurtis makes them all smile. The story of how they met and fell in love (which had me laughing out loud at their different takes on it). Excited to see these boys grow over the years! Jenae's favorite mossy gate might have to be a yearly tradition. ;)
Enjoy the Bierlinks. 

This was a one hour, full, lifestyle family photography session at their home in Cheney, WA. 

17/52 Buds

Sometimes you just have to hang out with your buddies in the backyard flower patch. No big deal, guys. We were so happy to have our friends visit us this last weekend! It was the first time I was able to get these boys in front of my camera, too, which made me super happy. 

Though as parents we are always tired, it rained, and it was chaotic, adorable fun, there's nothing like a weekend with friends that's full of laughs so hard they make you pee your pants and too many snacks and staying in your comfy clothes all weekend. Booyah. 

The personalities in this one omg.

Spring Mini Session Day is now open!

I'm so excited to finally offer my first mini session day! Email me to find out what mini session times are left and save your spot (Jonna Jae subscribers had first dibs earlier this week!). Next mini session date will not be until fall. Woo hoo!

RESERVE A SPOT NOW.

Package Details:
20 minute session, 8 high-res digital images, online gallery, print release, 15% off product orders - $175 ($200+ value)

Location:
South Hill, but exact location TBD as I want to confirm what's in bloom at either Lincoln Park, Hamblen Park, or another nature reserve area.

TIP!
Forward this announcement to your husband, mom, mother-in-law, etc, and tell them you want a session for MOTHER'S DAY! Or if you're really in the spirit, give a session for a Mother's Day gift.

Hebert Family | Maternity Photos | Spokane

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in our hearts." - Winnie the Pooh

So pleased to share photos of these three who are about to be four! They tromped around with me to random (and sneeze inducing) locations to get these great backgrounds, and I'm so thankful! It was just perfect.

Can you tell how excited big sister is?! I just love the expressions! Baby sister is coming into a world of love and support. So excited to meet baby this summer! 

14/52 Twirling

I am behind on my one-a-weeks...again. Can we all just agree that this will be the norm and I'll just quit mentioning it? Ok deal. But I have excuses! Really! Maybe, maybe not. However, I did take two big trips in the last two weeks. Let me tell you.

I went to New York to visit my sister. My husband gave all his miles to me and my mom so we could have a girls' weekend. He's pretty special huh. :) It was the longest and the farthest I have ever been away from Donald or Marlow. I missed them, of course. And I missed Easter (insert more mom guilt here). But these things were expected, what I wasn't sure about was how I'd feel being just me! I was with my mom and sister, but no one was relying on me for food, to read to them, rock them, clean up after them, wake up early, change their diaper, etc. It was like the old times guys! No, not really, but it was nice for a few days. But mostly I missed them.

Then there were the feelings about my sister being so far away. It hit me pretty hard the first night, especially after a full day of flying. This kinda sucks. This is far. This is not a weekend trip for her anymore. Sigh. But, this is temporary (hopefully? maybe? could she go farther? let's not talk about it.) and also very exciting. She's always wanted to this and she is doing it. That's part of what this phase of life is all about. The phases of our lives are also in giant contrast on this trip. But it's cool. I like it. She likes looking into my life with my 8-5 desk job, momtogging, toddler craziness, backyard chickens, marriage, and a partridge in a pear tree as just as much of an adventure as I see her world-traveling, dating, moving, international entrepreneurship, foodie, well-rested life....maybe? lol It's awesome. I love her and am so thankful for my family and that trip. And in all fairness, I guess I may or may not have moved to Arizona for a couple years at one point. That was far then. ;P

See everything we did in NY here.

When I came back it was this girl. In a tutu. Talking not just in full sentences but now singing in full sentences about her day. Her friends. Animals. And Taylor Swift. Her random thoughts. She's taller and funnier. Loud as always. Opinionated. She twirls and twirls and twirls. And laughs her cackle laugh. I get dizzy watching her. And I hope it's always that way.

Disclaimer: Do not judge me on my unfinished being-built-ins and the toddler mess that owns them right now. I promise I'll post pics when it's finished. Do not hold breath.

(Taken in 2 minutes this morning. Blurry photos included because that's what it feels like.)