Motherhood is hard. Parenting babies and toddlers is hard. These early years are some of the most stressful. However, they are also some of the most beautiful years… years I NEVER want to forget. I don’t want you to either. So, my question to you is how will you remember your children’s early years and childhood?

Will you pull from memory and rely on social media? Will you dig through hard drives hoping and praying that it’s the images you are looking for? Or, will you have portraits on your walls, albums on the bookshelves, and a system in place that guarantees you always have something tangible to not only look at but share with your children?

I don’t ask these questions to make you feel guilty or like you aren’t doing enough. I ask these questions because I have had many clients like the beautiful family you’re going to see below realize it AFTER they have missed a very important milestone that they only wish they could go back in time and photograph.

Documenting Clark’s Milestones

Kitty and I have been in Junior League together for years and I have admired her transparency as she has transitioned into motherhood these past few years. She keeps it real, shares the hard moments along with all of the beautiful moments of her and her sweet family, and advocates for setting healthy boundaries.

I started photographing Clark when she was six months old. Then, I photographed her at nine months, her first birthday, and most recently, her second birthday. It’s been so much fun getting to watch her grow up and also witness how much these photos have come to mean to all three of them. Some of that has come from knowing what they missed out on and as a result, learning what was important to them which is prioritizing photos of their daughter growing up and their family.

They didn’t initially invest in a newborn session and told me later that it was a huge regret. She wishes she had not settled and had put more thought into how important that newborn phase would be. You hear it all the time but until you are on the other side, you can’t truly grasp just how quickly that phase of life goes, and sadly, it’s not one you can get back.

Don’t Have Regrets

BUT…just because you miss out on one phase doesn’t mean you have

to miss out on the next. It doesn’t end when you’re out of that newborn phase either. Our kids are growing up before our eyes and SO much can change in one short year. It’s why Kitty and Mat have committed to annual family portraits. They are making sure that they have photos of Clark, not only for themselves but for Clark too. They know how important these photos and having memories of her childhood will be to her one day too.

Now, watch Clark grow from 6 months to two years old! 

“As with most mothers, it is rare to find me in a photo. I am generally behind the lens, capturing the memories, so working with Brittany allows me to be a part of the magic. She and her team curate such a wonderful experience, so much so we look forward to our session each year. Investing in lasting memories is something we will never regret. Becoming a mother has been my greatest pleasure in life, and I am so grateful to work with a woman who truly captures the essence of our joy in EVERY FRAME! Thank you, Brittany, for always capturing the light in our eyes and helping us to stop and cherish the TIME together, which so quickly slips through our fingers.” – Kitty

If you’re interested in making sure you are able to document your children’s early years and childhood, contact me. I’d love to chat and make sure you aren’t wishing a year, 5 years, or 10 years from now you had.