Happy Mother's Day to all of the hardworking, dedicated, beautiful mamas out there! Everything you are, all that you do, it is everything. It is why I do what I do. It is why I feel honored to be a mother a long side of you and honored to do what I do as a photographer. Thank you! You have all earned and deserve this day... 

for all the noses wiped

for all the acrobatics you perform 

for all the butts wiped

for all the books read

for all the hair done

for all feet in your face and babies nursed

May you have all the snuggles, laughter, and love today! 

So much love to you all!  xoxo, Shelley

What do you buy a mom that will show her how much you appreciate what she does and how much her being a mother means to you. How do you show her how much you SEE her and appreciate her? Give her the gift of being able to cherish this time, right now and forever. Give her these moments with her children in photographs, in an album that will be an heirloom for your family for generations to come. Give her her Moments of Motherhood to have always.

A little preface before the introduction to this family: **This session is a little bit different than my usual session. My vision, my goal, my heart, what lights me up is showing mothers the beauty in their everyday. Sometimes it is so hard to see how important and how meaningful it all is when you are in the thick of diaper changes, growth spurts, spit up, and temper tantrums. I feel called to show mothers how valuable and important all of these little moments with their children are, to show them what a great job they are doing and how much it means to their children. In no way does that mean that I don't see and know the value that fathers bring to the family and to their children's life. My husband is my son's hero and nothing about his life would be nearly as good without him being a part of it. However, being a mother myself, having many mom friends, I know that in general we are harder on ourselves than the guys are on themselves. I'm not saying we should be, but if we're being honest with ourselves, we usually are.

While my main focus remains the relationship between mothers and their children, there are times when a family wants a A Day in the Life session, a session that includes everyone. I love Day in the Life sessions and I am totally open to doing them. I am honestly so happy and honored to document the moments of a day that are part of a family's life. This beautiful family below is one of those families.**

Immediately upon meeting Jenna at a Mompreneur meet up at Honey in Ferndale, I knew I liked her. Her energy was so genuine and positive and she was so easy to talk to. A moment later I was fortunate enough to experience that same energy coming from this adorable little blue eyed lady, Jenna's daughter Myka. As she started to interact with me I started to feel very special because this adorable little girl, who didn't know me, seemed to love me. After talking a bit more with Jenna I found out that this is how Myka always is, she is a HAPPY baby. (I still felt special, why ruin that;) ) After spending time with Jenna and Adam at their house, it is easy to see why Myka is so amazing. She is adored by both of her parents who have such an easy going and calm energy. And I mean look at these pictures, this is an adorable family!

Jenna and Adam, it was such a joy to come and spend time with you in your home and to witness and capture your moments. I can't wait til we do it again next year ;) Thank you, thank you!

xo, Shelley

Lately, I have been posting mostly slideshows from sessions, but historically this blog has been both a mix of my personal photos and happenings and also what I'm doing professionally. I plan to continue sprinkling in personal posts a little more often, because I love having a place to record bits and pieces of our life and share them. As you can imagine, I have so many pictures of our little man. (SO MANY!) However, lately I haven't been getting my camera out as much at home or keeping up on editing the images when I do. One of the reasons that I include an album with every session is because I know that even I don't get things printed like I intend to. I'm looking at and working on photos all the time and have accounts at many professional labs and don't do it! I am vowing to work on my own families pictures a little more often and to share some of them with all of you. 

I am not often in these pictures because I am the one making them, but they still are important to me. AND, we have hired two different photographers this year to come and take our pictures, so I am taking care of the issue of me not being in the photos. I am so excited!

These are from a walk on one of the days recently when it was kind of decent outside for a Michigan winter day. People have always told me I have a lot of expression in my face. I think that maybe my kid takes after me. What do you think?

Let me tell you a little about Natalie and Shai, I am in love with the beauty and the twin-ness (yeah, I'm making up words) of these two, but even more so, I'm in love with their moments. Not that I didn't notice it while I was there, I did, but when I was sitting at my computer editing this session I couldn't get over how often they are gazing at each other and how they are making the same face while doing so! This mama and baby have such a connection you can feel it. And it isn't all beauty and no brains over there. Make sure while you are watching the slideshow that you keep an eye out for the hilarious faces and gestures Shai makes, I was actually laughing out loud while going through these images. It is obvious that Natalie is raising a strong and independent little lady who is going to make us all proud. She goes from expressing exactly what she wants in one photo and then in the next she's gazing at her mama with such love. It was such a pleasure to capture all of these moments.

Natalie, thank you for having me and welcoming me into your beautiful home. I look forward to watching your little lady grow up :)

xo

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