Our First Family of Four Photos

When The Photo-Taking Gets Overwhelming . . .

I’ve been wanting a simple set of family photos ever since Zeke was born because I’m sentimental and wanted to make sure this season of our family was captured. But while taking these photos, I had a little “aha” moment . . .

I often serve families with young children, and with that comes grumpy moods, kids running around throwing rocks, babies crying, and the one child who refuses to smile (don’t worry, mamas — we’ve all got one ).

In the middle of all that, a slightly frustrated mom will often tell me: “There’s no way you got anything good.”

And after I send the gallery, she almost always replies with: “WOW… I really didn’t think you got anything good with how things were going!”

I never take offense. Honestly, I get it.

But during our own photos, while juggling a crying baby and a toddler who suddenly wanted nothing to do with smiling or looking at the camera, I found myself saying to my mom: “There’s no way we got anything good.”

And suddenly I thought: “Wait… where have I heard that before?”

In that moment, I realized I had forgotten to give myself the same patience and grace I give the families I photograph.

When I got home and looked through the images, I found several that made me smile. The imperfect little moments became some of my favorites.

So this is your reminder, mama:

Even when the session feels chaotic…

Even when your kids are “being wild”…

Even when you’re convinced nothing good could possibly come from it…

The photos will still be beautiful.