Nashville Photographer goes 'MOM'

So, being a mom has been the best full time job I've ever had! Combine that with being a photographer and it's the means for a fun life. Busy, but fun life.

All kinds of things happening and life just moves super fast and then I realize, I have a one year old boy and a bunch of phone selfies with him. I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER! I should have galleries filed with portraits of him and I!! It got me thinking, I am sure there are plenty of moms out there that LOVE being a mom and haven't been able to get it professionally captured. 

I gave it 2 seconds thought then put a post out in a Facebook group looking for moms in the area who are first time moms and don't have pictures of them and their sweeties.  I had no idea what I was in store for and I am super happy I did this. 

Here are a few things I found out:

- There are a lot of moms that don't even give it a thought. I mean, I am sure they do but never really do anything to come into fruition.  But when the door is open, many moms are pretty excited to jump at the chance. 

- You just can't give away free services to some people, you just can't! You want to, they want it but it becomes almost too good to be true and before you know it, it's almost like you are handing out poison. I got A LOT of interest but only 4 ladies arrived. In no way am I offended, I was actually relieved. But it was a valuable lesson in learning what to charge for my rates.  The ladies that came and enjoyed their photo shoot, LOVED the pictures and asked about my other services. 

- I am not alone. Not just on the aspect of pictures but, really #thesturggleisreal I think that says it all. 

In the end, I am so thankful for the moms that trusted me as a photographer. They took a chance because I also required that they posted one photo with my watermark on it. Meaning they would be essentially be endorsing my services. Of course a little word of mouth doesn't hurt and it allows the moms to exchange for the service. I never expected business to come from it, just happy moms. 

I also got to learn about other moms, what they have been through, are going through, don't want to go through. Even with the moms that I didn't work with, I found there are some moms out there that just need a tap on the shoulder from someone nice and polite. Not because they are around bad people all the time or at all, just because, sometimes you can feel that way. Like I said, the struggle is real. 

I found out that moms are also happy. Happy to be a mom. And love being a mom just as much as I do. And if you know me, you know... I freaking love it. Not because I am a 'mom' but because of who I am a mom for. 

So, this isn't really that educational for the photographer, but I hope it helped you in some way, even if inspired you to start your own photography project. 

By the way, did I ever get any pictures of River and I? No. I didn't. Some one slap me. 

First up I got to meet Jessica and Wilson. I immediately fell in love with this little man based on pure biased grounds, he's mixed with Asian, specially Korean.  I am not Korean but I am mixed and so is my son. So, it was pretty much love at first sight. I am going to be honest, I really still don't have much reality on other peoples babies. I raise my child probably different than what would socially be normal. I am super used to how my son is, open, loving and interested in everything and everyone that I really don't know what to expect with the babies coming with their mommas. Wilson was not what I expected! He was super interested and easy going, just like River. His mom was super easy to talk to and had lived a highly interesting life, in my opinion. She's traveled all over and has come to the conclusion that she wants to tutor as her contribution to the world. She was quite modest about it and I couldn't help be explain how intrigued and 'jealous' I was. She writes a pretty cool blog for mommies and well, just for anyone interested. If you are in the Nashville area and want some tutoring, contact her, she's awesome! 

Secondly I was lucky enough to have a brief meet up with Lauren and Knox. KNOX! He is my kind of 18 month old! Sweet, interested in EVERYTHING and not shy at all. He mafia tossed an activity table (you know the ones that help toddlers stand) down my stairs. Twice. I can honestly say, it was highly enjoyable. And if his mom didn't have to leave, we would have  done it at least once more. One of my favorite things about Lauren is she is super in tune with her artistic side and allows that to live with Knox. I've known Lauren before we both went down the mommy path and worked with her in an art show she's put on as well as a wedding she planned. She's got it together. She makes a great mom because she can handle what life throws at her and I find that inspiring.  It's also a great to have that skill as an event/wedding planner. If you have a wedding or an event that you need help planning, I HIGHLY recommend her. Contact me for her info!

Coming in 3rd is a wonderful mom with a baby that literally just absorbed the camera. Super handsome, calm and sweet. Jane and Christopher. He was a character! You wouldn't know at first glance due to his calm and collected demeanor but this boy made some of the best faces! Luckily we went outside to snap some shots and he saw a kitty that was similar to his kitty at home and this got him talking up a storm, calling the kitty 'Ro-Ro'. I literally died from cuteness overload! The thing that stood out about this lady is that I kept apologizing for being on the weird side. She said it was fine, because she was weird. Gotta love the weird ones out there! She makes it go right in being a 'stay-at-home-mom' by being a nanny. Other people trust this woman to take care of their kid, that's how awesome this mom is! I would too! She's kind and gentle and so is Christopher.  I almost lost track of time capturing them, they were such a great pair!  We didn't get to talk too much but I enjoyed having them over. Felt like an old friend. 

The last momma I got to work with is Kayla and Ellie. OMG. O.M.G. The one and only girl I got to work with on this project and it was AWESOME. This little girl is confidant. She knows what she is okay with and what she isn't okay with. She didn't let the 'physical universe' take control of her, she was in control of it and I like that in a lady. Her mommy forewarned me about a little bit of a black eye she got running into a table (I think...) and that she also barrel rolled down some stairs like a champ. I would say, this gal is one tough cookie! She made herself right at home when she came over. She was dressed in a cute dress and knew EXACTLY what to do with our piano and toys. She wrapped up the photo shoot putting her dolly to sleep like a good momma. I was more than excited about this. I love spunky girls and she is one of them! I didn't get to talk much to the mom, but she was rolling with the punches.  These are some of my favorites!