People are often surprised to hear that I am a lifestyle photographer specializing in documenting motherhood. Mostly because I am not a mother, or even a wife for that matter. But 8 years ago (from this very day actually!) a life changing event happened that had me completely fascinated with motherhood.

11 days after my 19th birthday my mom gave birth to the one I call my Brave Little Toaster, my baby brother Taschden. I can remember the doctor handing my mom Taschden for the first time, and thinking to myself...whoa my mom is a MOM! I know that sounds silly but not many people get to witness their mom BE a mom when they become an adult. By the time you are an adult you get to see your parents become, well, Grandparents. I found it so strange that I was witnessing what it must have been like when my mom first held me.

I can recall the dark lighting in the hospital with my mom and dad staring at Taschden. It was like no one else was in the room. I found my mom to be so brave at that moment. And she continued to impress me with her bravery.

What was so amazing about her, was watching her through the hard times. Taschden had to go to almost every type of therapy, she had a few to many visits at Children’s Hospital, and stayed positive through any result that came back for him. She fought for him to get the best.

I loved the moments sitting at the kitchen table with her doing dishes with Taschden by her feet. How when he was in a bad mood or hurt, the only person that could soothe him would be her. And the way they both light up when they see each other. It’s so funny that 8 years later they still do that. The exact same expression from when she first held him.

Seeing my mom with a baby gave me such a unique perspective on motherhood. Joe Buissink, one of my all time favorite photographers, explains how when a photographer clicks the shutter, they leave a piece of themselves also into the image. It isn’t about the story but also how the photographer feels about the story. I capture and tell the story of motherhood through amazement and wonderment from the eyes of being a daughter.

So thank you parents for gifting me with such an amazing gift. And Happy Birthday little Toaster. I shall embarrass him with a bunch of photos of the both of us:

Personal | My Heart for Lifestyle Family Portraits