It was such a privilege to photograph Kate and her baby boy, Soren, at his young and fun age of six months. This session was done just a couple of weeks before Mother’s Day, so the importance of mothers being in the frame with their children, especially their babies, was at the forefront of my mind.
Babies grow and change at an amazing rate of speed that it’s sometimes only after the moment is gone that we are able to take the time to enjoy it. I knew from the time we started planning this session that I wanted to capture the little details and the gestures that pass so quickly one feels them but doesn’t necessarily get to see their beauty from an outside perspective.
As Soren grew sleepy during the session, Kate commented how much she enjoyed having her baby snuggled up against her. We admired his perfectly round head and chubby cheeks and how he hooked his finger over his nose when he sucked his thumb.
When Kate looks at these photographs in the future, I want her to relive how it felt to hold his relaxed, squishy little body. I want her to see how he made her smile and laugh. I want her to remember how he smelled when she kissed the top of his head. I want Soren to see someday how his mother cuddled him and gazed into his eyes. I want them both to see how they connected with each other so effortlessly.
Is there any moment in a mother’s life that is not improved by their baby’s smile and laughter?
How marvelous are the details that make this child his own little person?
In the calm moments, drink in the smells, the warmth, the softness.
I leave you with one last image that is not about the baby, but is absolutely about motherhood. In my mind, it was one of the most beautiful moments of the morning. Soren’s older brother needed a little attention while we were setting up and I was completely taken with the way Kate attended to him. Her gentle touch and calm voice, how she bent to his level to comfort him was everything that this shoot was about to begin with.
Anne Marie Messmer - This was beautifully told. It made me miss the small, snuggly moments of my three little baby girls who are growing way too quickly. Through tear-filled eyes I then noticed that I recognized Kate! You captured the essence of motherhood in her perfectly.
Jennifer Brake - I miss the little baby snuggles too! They disappear all too quickly.
How funny that you recognize Kate! Small world, isn’t it?