“She made broken look beautiful

and strong look invincible.

She walked with the Universe

on her shoulders and made it

look like a pair of wings.

~Ariana Dancu

As I looked through Elizabeth’s gallery, this poem ran through my mind repeatedly. Maybe it was the flowers in her hair or wildflowers waving around her dress, or maybe it was knowing the girl in the frame is waging war against an enemy we cannot see from the outside. But either way- these words elicit the same reaction from me as the images I hoped to create.

Maybe I expected to see the little girl I knew years ago when she walked up. Or maybe I assumed I would see brokenness and defeat behind her eyes. Yet I saw neither.

Instead, here is a mother that laughed when her son ate the heads off flowers before cleaning his mouth out and caught ladybugs and placed them gently on his soft skin so he could inspect them. A mom that took pride in telling me the things her son loved and helping him showcase his little personality for the camera.

It was a lighthearted, fun afternoon filled with hope and joy.

And these images I get to share with you show the tender moments of motherhood. Of snuggling in to soak in your baby’s scent and blowing dandelions, exploring new places and watching your little boy giggle when you toss him in the air.

This is motherhood.

    …………………………………………………………………………………

I hope you have had a Happy Mother’s Day and taken a few minutes to yourself. I tell my husband (for almost every holiday) that I really just want 3-4 days in my house by myself. I want to clean the house (or better yet- have someone else come clean it) and then enjoy the cleanliness and the quiet. And every time he says, “Can I stay”? Nope- sorry. I want to be responsible for ONLY ME.

So far it hasn’t happened.

 

To see more of Studio Kate’s work find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Session information is available on the Studio Kate website.