I think there must have been something in the air during these sessions as all the littles were bouncing off the walls (in a good way)! It made for some silly smiles, messy hair and such a fun vibe for these images. Sometimes mothers can’t see how they’ll get one good picture when their littles won’t listen, or seem to be acting a bit more rambunctious, but my motto for these (and for photographing children in general) is to embrace the chaos. Smile through it and you’ll love the end result.

Am I right? See for yourself.

With love, Chels.

MARIE-CLAIRE

“Motherhood to me was my saving grace.  When I was pregnant with Violette my husband was diagnosed with chronic kidney issues that couldn’t be cured.  He had to go on dialysis for a year and just last Fall underwent live kidney transplant.  It was a hard long road for the entire family but I always had my beautiful Violette to motivate me and make me smile.  I have learned that motherhood is the greatest thing that could ever happen to me.  I love her dearly and I can no longer imagine not having her by my side to see life through her eyes.” 

BRIE

“Although words can never do it justice, motherhood to me is purely inexplicable love, joy and gratitude. Having had a miscarriage in 2013, I didn’t know motherhood would be something i’d have the opportunity to experience and enjoy. It was a hypothetical future that, for a couple years afterwards, I didn’t want to get my hopes up for again – because I had crashed so hard the first time. When we got up the nerves to try again, I was a nervous wreck throughout my pregnancy; every ache, pain, kick or hiccup had me on alert. When my rainbow baby was actually born in 2016, I was in complete shock and awe. I was in awe of my body and what it was capable of doing, I was in awe of this little, perfect human that my husband and I created, I was in awe of the emotions that I was experiencing and that I had wanted to feel so badly, for so long; I soaked in every ounce of the experience. Now expecting baby number two,  I am trying to relax a bit more, trust my body more and believe it knows what it’s doing. As for my experience in motherhood so far, I’ve discovered that it’s full of learning opportunities; just when I think I know something, he tests me. It’s practicing patience with myself, my son and with everyone around us. It’s developing trust in my instincts and learning to filter the many well-intentioned (…yet often unsolicited) opinions of those around me. Motherhood is a gift that i will never take for granted. It truly is the best that life has to offer, and i am forever grateful to be experiencing it.”  

AMANDA

“My daughter was born a year ago on August 14th, six days before my birthday. This past year has been the most incredible journey.  I have discovered so much about myself, my husband and life, and really I thought I had that all figured out.  It wasn’t an easy year.  I battled all the worries and concerns a new mom would have.  I was always wondering and questioning if I was doing a good job, if I was developing her the right way, scared I wasn’t doing something right.  It was a constant battle. My husband has two daughters from a previous marriage, so I was afraid I was going to let him down. I also haven’t had much sleep in the past year, but have discovered I can still function. It is incredible how much will and strength we mothers actually have.  But with that said, my biggest scare was with how much love I have for my little one.  The fear of losing her, or her hurting herself, her growing too quickly and moving away.  These are emotions I wasn’t expecting to have and they are not something I can control.  I always knew I was going to love her, I just never knew how much.” 

SAM

STEPH

ANGIE