Celebrating The ‘Next’ Season Of Motherhood

*this story was originally published on September 3rd, 2018.

As a mother, I've reached the stage in my journey where we have grown our family and moving past babyhood. It's been maybe not-so-surprisingly emotional decision. It was hard to bring our babies into the world, and it's been bittersweet saying goodbye to new babyhood, but mainly I've felt so much joy and gratitude for our journey.

At the same time, I've been feeling a shift in my photography journey to dig deeper into humans stories. I've wanted to show the small moments of family life. The moments that are truest to our hearts, without the pressure of perfection, leaning into all the joy, beauty and truth. I've felt that especially as I look back and realize how quickly the time goes. I decided to create a session that honors the space that families hold and capture a moment that brings them joy and love in their family life.

When Nicole Land, the incredibly talented floral designer of Soil and Stem contacted me, I knew she had a lovely story to share. She recently had her second baby, and as we talked about her home, the moments that bring joy, she shared their Sunday morning. When Nicole described how their daughter gathers eggs from their coop, and they make breakfast together. Then Sky makes coffee and they sit together and discuss their week and day, I knew we had found the story to share.

Nicole and Sky practice a peaceful and beautiful parenting. Their daughter showed me her box of foraged items from nature, and her sketchbook where she paints from life. Nicole nursed baby North, and Sky and Norah made eggs. Stepping into their family space was a sacred moment. These are the stories I'm honored to share, and the stories I want to be captured for my own family.