I started working on a personal project last year. It’s been in my heart for a long time but with direction and a nudge from the amazing Click Pro, Kate Densmore, it came to fruition. I call it the “Much About Momma” project. It’s about celebrating women and moms.
I am a momma of two little girls, ages four and six, and I am blessed to be able to stay home with them while working part-time doing what I love so much, photography. But what I’ve found as a mom is that sometimes we get so caught up in taking care of everyone else we forget about ourselves. Whether you are a momma who works full-time or a stay at home mom, moms put their kiddos and family first.
Mothering is hard but sweet.
Being a mom is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. What a blessing to watch these adorable mini mes grow up. But although it is the best thing in the world, it is the hardest thing I have ever done.
Being a good parent is hard work and there is no one patting you on the back saying, “hey momma, good job changing all the poopy bums today, kissing the boo boos, making the snacks and meals, cleaning up the crumbs, doing the laundry, wiping the tears, calming the tantrums, and did I mention cleaning up all those crumbs on the floor?”
But there are sweet moments too. Like, seeing your child sharing for the first time without prompting. Or having your child notice that you are having a horrible day so she gives you a hug and tells you she loves you, then offers to put YOU to bed that night and say a prayer for you. Bless her beautiful heart, I will never forget that one.
I want moms to see their beauty, inside and out.
I want all moms to feel appreciated, because they do it all. I want all moms to feel loved and beautiful and to see in themselves what their children and spouses see when they look at them: their unique beauty, inside and out.
Moms are usually the ones behind the camera capturing their loved ones but I want mommas to get in front of the camera so that they can see their beauty. I want women to give their children beautifully printed images of themselves so they can forever remember their moms at this wonderful stage in life. I want women to get in front of the camera so they don’t feel invisible. I want them to celebrate their beauty and be proud of who they are. I want women to be brave, because getting in front of the camera is frightening.
I encourage moms to get in front of the lens.
I am the first one to admit that getting in front of the camera is hard; when I need to practice photography, sometimes I am the only subject available so I have to get out my tripod and remote. It is humbling, but I think it has helped me to be more accepting of who I am and appreciate what my clients go through when getting in front of someone else’s camera.
I have had the pleasure of taking pictures of seven gorgeous, inspiring moms for my Much About Momma Project. I love spending time with these moms, getting to know them, and showing them how absolutely beautiful each of them is through the images I capture. My goal is to help them feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera and to make it an enjoyable experience, as though they were spending time with a friend. I also want them to go home feeling great about themselves and to have their images printed and displayed so their children and spouses can walk by them every day and smile.
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Through this project, I’ve photographed amazing moms.
All of the women I captured were beautiful in their unique ways. I had a full-time mom who travels all the time and the thought of having printed pictures to give her children was comforting while she was away. Another momma, and friend of mine, is following her dreams to be a writer and was able to add beautiful photos to her blog. A beautiful pregnant mom and friend came to me because she wanted to capture herself at this amazing time in her life as she was carrying her last baby. One mom, like so many we know, really focuses on her kiddos and never on herself. So taking a morning to do something for herself without her littles was something new to her. I hope she is displaying her image in their home for her little ones and husband to see how amazing she is and remember how she takes care of all of them every single day. And there is the teacher who focuses not only on her two boys, but also on all of her local community’s children.
Another mom who I had never met before came to my door for her session on a dark, stormy day, and as soon as I opened the door, her smile lit up the entryway. She told me she has a hard time getting in front of the camera, but I couldn’t see it. She later told me the session renewed her spirit and her mother, grandmother, and husband said I was able to capture what they love most about her. She told me this through an e-mail and I have to say I had tears in my eyes because this is exactly what I wanted my session to do for her….and for every other woman who walks in my door. And as if this story couldn’t get any more amazing, the photo that captured her gorgeous smile was chosen as a finalist in a photography competition, the VOICE collection, for everyone to see her beauty.
I photographed my own kind, brave mom.
The last mom I photographed was my own, and I can’t put into words how special it was for me to be able to take her picture. She is really uncomfortable in front of the camera – she has told me several times. She was so kind and brave and I think I was able to make her feel a little more at ease. It is my greatest hope that she sees how incredibly beautiful she is, through our eyes. When I look at her images, not only do I see a gorgeous woman, but I also see her beautiful and kind heart, a wonderful mom and grammy, and I think about what a blessing she has been to me and my family. I will cherish these photos for the rest of my life.
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Through this project, I hope my girls feel empowered.
Through this project, I also hope to be a better mom and role model to my little girls. I want my girls to feel comfortable with themselves and their bodies and embrace their uniqueness. I want them to have the courage to be who they are and to follow their dreams. And maybe, just maybe, if they see their momma in front of the camera embracing all that is me and following my dreams, they will feel empowered and grow up to be strong, confident girls who love and embrace all that they are.
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I love this, and that you included your own mom!