At some point you stop being the photographer. You are no longer viewed as a stranger and the kids just want to show you their toys.
With these folks I can say that the connection was built from day one, even though I wouldn’t of said so until I was walking out of that delivery room in tears. Happy tears, because I just had witnessed exactly what I imagined my own birth would be like with 20 Cubans rushing in to meet my baby. Luke’s birth session forever changed my life.
That was seven years ago. Seven years of coming together to document stages in the lives of this family that I now call my friends. I had no idea back then that I would have the privilege of being their picture person. When I think of all the memories I have witnessed because of them… there was even that time when Sam lost a tooth while eating beignets at the park!
Kristin and Ryan have served me as such a great example as to what it is like to have a family. I am forever thankful to them for time and time again choosing me to be there in their lives to witness the moments that mean so much to them. They have been the foundation of my love for photographing the art of being a mother and I only hope this journey continues to get more and more fun as the years go by.
My photography goal for other moms is to have this kind of collection. Pictures of themselves with their loved ones. Get in the picture mom, and stop hiding behind the camera. Do it for your kids, for your grandkids and for yourself. You are the glue that keeps everyone together. You are the wheel that keeps everyone moving. You are the love that makes that house a home.