Mom + Me Sessions - Hampton Roads Photographer

If there is one thing that bothers me most about motherhood, it's that our mommy days are so fleeting. As a kid, I always heard grown ups say how time flies, but I didn't really give it much thought. After all, my only point of reference was that the school year seemed painfully long and cruel, while summer seemed to be nothing more than a fleeting whiff with freedom. 

Now that I've been at this mom thing for 15 years, I can say for certain that all of those "grown ups" were right. Time does fly. Just as I became infatuated with being a baby mom, my baby morphed into a toddler. And when I was bouncing between marveling with pride over my toddler's new discoveries and pulling my hair out over his strong-willed stubbornness, he suddenly became a kindergartener. As I had more children and the busyness of the school-aged years set in, with all the school projects, extra-curricular activities, career building, household running, meal-planning, chauffeuring, etc., etc. - life seemed to whiz by more quickly than ever. With each child the calendar pages seemed to slip by a little more swiftly.

While I am thrilled to watch them grown and mature, I also ache with the feeling that I was a bit too preoccupied with "life" and not quite as involved in "living" as I could have been. Let's face it, life throws all kinds of crap our way and while we juggle, dodge, and do our best to whack away at those curve balls, we sometimes, temporarily, lose our zest for the game. Like most moms, I have days when my mothering is on point, and even my hair seems to fall in line under the overwhelming weight of my supreme wisdom. Other days, I go to bed begging forgiveness for my short-sighted, short-tempered, preoccupied, sorry excuse for parenting. 

If you are at all like me, you have taken thousands of images of your children, but few of them include you in the frame. Of course, they'll know you were there; they'll remember many things you did together. And the wisdom you bestow on them and the love you plant in their hearts, well that can't be captured in a photo. Not really. That they will carry in their conscience. So is it really worth the effort to be in photos? Being in front of the camera is uncomfortable and I hate photos of me. So why bother?

The thing is, I'm not so much worried about them forgetting as I am about me. I don't want to forget the sweet smell of their freshly washed hair, or the silly names we make up for everyday things. I don't want to forget the warm snuggles while they are sick or the gut-wrenching tear at my heart when they get hurt. I don't even want to forget the arguments and sassy door slams of my hormone-laden teens. Why? Because it is all part of motherhood and motherhood is a gift. It may be a struggle at times, it may be full of chores, heartbreak and uncertainty, but it's still the most fulfilling part of my life. And frankly, I have a terrible memory. Blame it on genes or mommy-brain times 4, either way it is the sad but can't-find-my-car-keys-and-even-if-I-did-I'd-have-no-clue-where-I-parked truth.

For that reason, I need to have a few frames of us. Our togetherness. Our silliness. The way we connect and navigate our days in our own unique love language. Those are the images that will bring me back to the mother I was for them over the long haul. Yep, when I spend my days not only mixing up the names of my children but those of my grandchildren as well, I know I will be filled with gratitude for the images that help me remember that I wasn't perfect, but I was good and I loved with all my heart.

All of this to say that it's important to slow down every now and then to just enjoy the moment. To savor childhood, motherhood, and all the many-splendored experiences that come with it. If you don't have photos like that with your kids, or if it's been a while since you've gotten in the frame, schedule a session. Today. Don't wait, just do it. Call a photographer and put it on your calendar. Make it a priority.

If you feel uneasy about being on camera just throw on some lip gloss and mascara for a quick mini session. Of you could treat yourself to a full makeover, a flattering flowy dress and a sunset family session by the sea. You could even just throw on your favorite jeans, stick your hair in a messy bun and have a photographer come document you and your kids eating store bought donuts for breakfast and throwing down with a pillow fight. Heck, if the thought of your puffy eyes and post-baby pudge in broad daylight scares you (no judgement, we all have our battle scars) then wait 'til sunset, throw some logs on the firepit, wrap up in blankets and roast marshmallows.

The point is, you don't have to be a supermodel and it doesn't have to be epic. Just make the memories and have someone there to document it. Years from now, you will look back with a full heart and overwhelming gratitude that you were a mom who cared enough put the grind (and your ego) aside for a little while and document the best thing in your life.

To schedule your unique portrait experience in Hampton Roads, VA, contact me today: melissablissphotography@gmail.com

On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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