Why you need a Mommy & Me Session
This post is all about WHY YOU NEED a Mommy & Me Session. I bet you’ve heard that before, or read it before, or even thought it before - but have you done one?
I have reflected on this post and about my own motherhood journey. I thought about how I could highlight how special these sessions really are, and how to give you moms encouragement.
Before we begin, here is a list of reasons that I’ve heard mamas say when debating on booking a shoot.
“I just have to lose a few more pounds and work on this baby weight before booking a session”
“I’m so awkward in photos I don’t know what to do!”
“I’m worried that my children won’t behave”
“I just don’t have time to book and plan a session”
…. and countless other reasons why you haven’t taken that step yet
Does that sound like you, or a mom you know?…
5 reasons why you need a Mommy & Me session.
As a photographer yes I have reasons why I want my clients to experience this, but honestly these reasons come from my heart as a mother. My kids have taught me so much, being a mom has tested my strength, my sanity and my capacity for love. It is such a beautiful journey and I’m honored that I get to be called mom.
Let’s start with the obvious, shall we?
01. You are always the one taking the pictures
I triple doggie dare you to take your phone out and start scrolling through your camera roll. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have pictures of your kids, your hubby, your kids with your hubby, and then maybe a few selfies with the kids with your hair in a messy bun. Pictures of them laughing, playing at the park, you see the moment and you want to capture them as they are happening. But mom, you need to get in there too! You are an instrumental part of your family, the heart, and you need to have photos of your children having fun along side you.
02. Time is Flying
I know you how how fast your little ones are growing up, we all know we only get them for a limited time but sometimes I don’t think we actually realize how little time we have. Right now, my kids are 5 and 7. I can’t remember when or why, but one day I started measuring their childhood by moments, not years. So my daughter, 7 years old, she has had 7 Christmases, 7 Summers, 7 Birthdays… We have gotten photos done every year (but a lot of people don’t), that is only SEVEN opportunities I have had to professionally capture our relationship, how many more opportunities will I get? (umm say what now).
Maybe it’s just me but that was a weird way to think about the time I’ve spent with her. She’s only 7, but on the weekends and days off she already wants to spend more time with her friends and her cousins. She doesn’t look back when I drop her off, she hangs out more and more in her room..
It’s only been 7 years, but which year will she want to stop holding my hand? When will she want me to not tuck her in? Right NOW she still loves cuddling me at night and spending quality time together, but our Mommy & Me dates have been ever changing because each summer she has become a little bit older and more independent.
There will be a summer when she doesn’t want to hold my hand, and that breaks my heart.
I relish in the moments we have now, I can’t tell myself that we have lots of time, cause we really don’t.
03. It’s more than just any photo session
Mommy & Me photos are SO much more than just any photo session. My Mommy & Me sessions are intentionally designed to capture genuine moments and make memories with your children.
Yes - I help you decide outfits that look flattering, I choose locations that are dreamy and we plan to shoot under the golden hour sun - That is the photo session part. The photos will be beautiful, but that’s not the only thing we do.
I’m going to admit that when I have just gotten home from work or on my days off, I don’t spend all of my home time with 100% of my attention to the kids. I’m tired, I want to scroll on my phone before making supper or I have some more work to do when I get home. That sucks, and I feel awful for it because I do want to spend time with them.
When we took our kids to Mexico, our main focus was spending time with our family. The kids still talk about how Mommy and Daddy went swimming with them everyday, how they got to have ice cream after every meal, how much fun that had going to shows and doing activities. WE (mom and dad) were dedicating that week with our kids. We didn’t worry about making meals, about having to go to work the next day, we let ourselves relax and dove into the fun with the kids.
Now I’m not saying a trip to Mexico and a photo session are the same, but I want you to think and reflect on the idea that we as adults need to dedicate time spent with our kids - and try to ignore the stress and craziness of our lives and just focus on our family time.
Mommy & Me sessions are built to include things you and your children enjoy (check out reason #5), so when we get together on your session day, we can take a breath and just focus on the joy and happiness we will have in that hour. I remind you to try and really focus 100% of your attention on your kids.
When you show up to your session with that mindset, you and your kids will truly enjoy the time we have, and will remember that session for more reasons than just a photoshoot.
04. You deserve it
I don’t really need to add anything else here. You are a BOSS mom and you know that you deserve this. To have special moments with your kiddos? Absolutely. To feel pampered and gorgeous? Abso - friggan - lutely.
Mommy & Me sessions include a dress from the JD Dress Rentals closet (EEK), which means it is that much easier to look and feel glamourous under the summer sun. Take another step and get your hair and make-up done too. One of Penny’s favourite thing about our yearly photos is that her and I drive to the salon (with Starbucks obvs) and get our hair done together.
The sessions are fun and easy, and the best part is that then you receive gorgeous Mommy & Me photos to hold onto and show off to pretty much anyone and everyone.
You are meant to enjoy the whole experience. Because you deserve it!
05. It's a Customized Session
My sessions are planned intentionally. What does that mean?
Well first off, you start the planning process by filling out the questionnaire. This form allows me to learn about you and your children. Yes the names and ages, but I also get to learn about your favourite activities as a family, what music your kids love, what games they like to play. I take what I learn from your questionnaire and I plan accordingly. Together we choose a location that’s beautiful, but one that also works for your kids’ needs (and what they would enjoy exploring!).
Another thing that makes these sessions special, is that they are designed for you to simply enjoy spending time with your kids. We don’t do cheesy smiling or pose - pose - pose. We play games, you laugh and tickle, maybe we splash around a little - but you are invited to make this session even more special by bringing something that makes it more meaningful. You and your kids enjoy reading together? Let’s bring a blanket and find a cozy place to read during the session! Tea party? Picnics in the park? Let’s do it!
I invite you to reflect on what your kids enjoy doing with you, and we make sure to incorporate those special moments into your session.
I’m sitting at my kitchen island, wondering how many of you actually read through the whole post. I don’t need to know, but I’m hoping that if you did - you are reflecting on the time you spend with your children. I hope that you can now see why you should book a Mommy & Me Session, and can understand why capturing you and your kiddos is important.