The magic of motherhood photography

When it comes to portraits, motherhood photography is near and dear to my heart. As a mom myself, I know how meaningful it is to have photos I love of myself with my kids. So, when Mother’s Day approaches, and I begin to plan my annual motherhood sessions, I do so with a lot of thought and intention.

If you’re anything like me, it probably doesn’t take much convincing to get those special images of yourself with your kids. But in case you are still on the fence, let me enlighten you with some reasons you may not have considered yet.

Reasons to book a motherhood photography session

1. Proof of existence

Our kids love the family albums I make *almost* every year. (I’m doing my best – just a couple years behind.) One thing I’ve tried to be better about is getting into the shots too, whether that means handing the camera to my husband, a friend, or setting a timer. Motherhood photography is another way to make sure your connection with your kids is captured in a beautiful way. I feel like this cartoon by Diane de Ferran for The New Yorker does a great job of illustrating my point:

2. Your kids will thank you later

It’s no secret that photos become even more meaningful with time. Unlike a car that loses value as soon as you drive it off the lot, a photo (especially motherhood photography) becomes more and more special as time passes. You may remember those cute gap-toothed smiles of your children, but will they?

As they get older, these photos will be both a keepsake and document of a moment in time for them and for you. Your kids won’t care if your hair wasn’t perfect or your clothes didn’t fit how you wanted. They’ll just see their mom: the one who loved them fiercely, held them close, and made them feel safe.

3. Because selfies only go so far

Let’s be real – when was the last time you were in a photo with your kids that wasn’t a blurry selfie, a questionable cadid taken by your spouse, or a picture where you’re half-hidden behind a stroller and diaper bag?

Motherhood is beautiful, messy, exhausting, and heart-melting all at once. And while your camera roll is probably 90 percent pictures of your little ones (and maybe 10 percent screenshots of recipes you swear you’ll make one day), you deserve to be in the frame too.

Cell phone cameras are remarkably great these days, but booking a motherhood photography session with someone who knows how to create and document meaningful moments with your kids is an experience every mom should have.

4. Immortalize the chaos

I will be the first to admit that I hate how social media makes us feel like we need to cherish every moment. Being a parent is hard. It’s fulfilling, beautiful, messy, wonderful…and hard. We don’t have to cherish every moment. That very loud, very public, overtired tantrum? Let’s just forget about that and move on.

What I do agree with is that kids literally change overnight. They grow quickly, and I for one care deeply about documenting all the stages of their awesome little lives I’m lucky to be a part of. While I think it’s fair to say we will never miss the sticky fingers or the overtired meltdowns, there are lots of other wonderful aspects of motherhood that will be missed once they’re gone, so let’s capture it with a motherhood photography session while we can.

Just do it.

When was the last time you regretted having too many beautiful photos? Exactly. Let this be your sign to book a session so you have your own motherhood photography session to cherish for years to come. I am offering two types of motherhood sessions this year: one in a studio and one outside. If you’re interested in booking one, you can do so here: https://EHPphotosession.as.me/

Get in the photos. And let’s capture the love, chaos and magic of motherhood, because you deserve it.

The magic of motherhood photography

Erica Hurlburt is an award winning Ventura County Photographer & Santa Barbara Family Photographer who specializes in newborn, family and school photography. Her style tends toward cleaner, classic images, both in how they’re composed and edited. Her goal in every session is to keep things relaxed and fun and to create images that are both meaningful and unique.

Erica serves clients in Camarillo, Ventura County, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake,
Malibu, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ojai and beyond.