Want to know a secret?

I have regrets when it comes to my own newborn photography with my littles. When I got pregnant with my first, I had all these ideas in my head as to how things would go. I wouldn’t gain a bajillion pounds–I would ONLY eat chicken or lean protein, mixed veggies and some fruit with an occasional splurge. Can you relate?? Do you think that happened?  Um…hahahahaha….NOPE. Somehow that little being inside you completely takes over your taste buds and cravings. The ONLY things I felt like eating were Sour Patch Kids, S’Mores, plain macaroni and cheese, plain bagels and cream cheese, Cocoa Cola or Root Beer, Flaming Hot Cheetos…the list of junk was ENDLESS.  I don’t think I ate one thing that was healthy during that first trimester.  I managed to choke SOME healthy stuff down for the rest of my pregnancy–but not because I wanted to.  So what happened? I was swollen, I gained weight, I felt like an alien in someone else’s body. I still enjoyed the miracle that was going on inside me, but I still felt uncomfortable.

But…BUT…

After labor…what came out was this beautifully perfect little being.  She was the definition of perfection.  I was so in love with this new bundle that grew in my womb for ten months. I couldn’t believe that we–my husband and I–did “it.” We made a HUMAN! But looking back, do you know something that still hurts my heart? Even though I endured 30 hours of labor and grew this beautiful little thing inside me, I looked in the mirror and didn’t feel like myself. Not sure if it was the hormones, the lack of sleep, or what…but I kinda just felt gross.   How does this relate to Newborn Photography? Because…NOW I could KICK myself for not getting in front of the camera more with my first or my second. We have so many newborn photographs with my daughter and my husband and every single person who stopped by to congratulate us. But I barely have any with my new baby…and you know what? What I “looked” like plays a part of that story!

I say this to encourage other mommies.  Please, please, PLEASE…even if you feel like you don’t look like yourself–please get in front of the camera.  Capture the whole story. Better yet–allow me to capture how tiny she is in your arms, the love between you and your husband looking down at this amazing miracle you (and God) created. It’s amazing to look back and see how teeny tiny they once were; how their hands wrapped around your finger; how little their toes were. These are the details that tell the entire story. You ARE beautiful. You may not feel like yourself, but your body just did the most amazing thing in the whole entire world. Own that. Be proud of that. Love that.

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