Year after year, each spring, when I find myself editing the photos from a mommy and me photoshoot, I sit in this space of immense gratitude. Motherhood, for me, has always brought about deep connections to other women in my community. Women who have felt and experienced the same things we all do. The sleepless nights as we adjust to a new normal. Gently comforting our children in the quiet moments. The silly playfulness that permeates everyday life. All while finding ourselves filled with gratitude that we are the ones who have the distinct joy of experiencing it all.
There’s no denying, though, that at times, some of those moments can feel long. Pushing us to our limits while encouraging us to endure because of the love we hold. But the sweet moments in between, the ones filled with laughter, snuggles, fun made-up games, and new adventures, always seem to pour into our hearts at the exact moment we find ourselves needing it the most.
Importance of Planning a Mommy and Me Photoshoot
As moms, we share an undeniable connection to our children. We are the ones with front row access to watching them grow as we teach them how to navigate through the world. It’s a role that comes with an invisible badge of honor and one we would happily step into time and time again.
Through the years, as Mother’s Day comes and goes, we are honored with a variety of gifts. Flowers, cards, and custom-made drawings with tiny handprints in the shape of a butterfly. As our children grow, those gifts become the marked characteristics of their childhood. Allowing us to step back into a time when they were still so small and the world so big.
The distinct urge to freeze time and savor the moments when your children still fit snuggly slung across your hip is one that is all too relatable. While it’s true that time begins to feel like a thief, you can preserve the tender moments in a way that will allow you to cherish them in the years to come.
The very essence of planning a mommy and me photoshoot (whether you reside in Edina, Minneapolis, or St. Paul) will carve out this time in their childhood. All in all, creating a focused experience leaving you with tangible memories and heirloom-quality photos to hang on the walls of your home.
Mommy and Me Photoshoot Outfits & Ideas
The thing is, there will never be a ‘right time’ to schedule your mommy and me photoshoot. Just as there is no such thing as the perfect outfit. What we have is the here and now. If you do wish to invest in new outfits for a mommy and me photoshoot, the best advice I can provide you with is to find attire that you and the children are comfortable in. Muted, neutral, or earthy hues are best, and outfits should complement one another without matching exactly.
Toddles should be able to play as they normally would, with rips and stains part of a life well lived. Stiff, overly posed photos where everyone is smiling, perfect for the camera, are a thing of the past. The tender moments worth capturing are the ones that happen when your children are busy living life.
Worried your little one will be shy or uninterested in a photoshoot? That’s to be expected. They need time to warm up to the idea of what’s happening around them, and above all, they need to feel comfortable and cared for.
I always tell the parents I work with to avoid directing or bribing their children (I know it’s hard!), and if they need to bring along a favorite toy or lovey, then it’s all part of the magic of their childhood. Let the moments unfold naturally, as opposed to focusing on a desired outcome, and your portraits will be filled with the love and emotion you so easily express toward them.
Mommy and Me Photography in Edina, Minneapolis, and St. Paul
Hi, I’m Kristen, a local mom and a photographer who specializes in capturing lifestyle family photos in Edina, Minneapolis, and St. Paul. I offer mommy and me photoshoots in the comfort of your own home, allowing you to create a stress-free experience where fun and play are not only allowed, but encouraged. You can find more details on working with me for mommy and me photography at this link. Or, navigate the links below to step inside some of the previous sessions I’ve captured locally.
