Covid 19. My experience as a Mom and family photographer in Milwaukee
So, how ARE you?
It’s a loaded question, isn't it?
That’s fine. It’s okay. You don’t need to answer me.
Because I know things may not feel fine and okay.
Today, some friends walked by our house and stopped to chat (from the other end of lawn).
My kids were eating ice cream. Friends asked if they earned it or it was “just because”.
Today the answer was - just because.
Because I’m choosing to say yes more often.
You want a piece of gum? Yes. You want ice cream for lunch? Yes. (Don’t worry we had real lunch later in the day). You want to help me bake? Yes. You want to sleep in a tent in the playroom? Yes. You want to dance in the rain? Definitely.
Because we’ve had to say no to many other things.
March 8, 2020. Just a week before school closed.
May 3, 2020.
No, you can’t play with your friends.
No, you won't get to finish the school year in school.
No, we can’t go to the park. Parks are closed.
No, you can’t come to the store with me. Children aren’t allowed into the store.
When they (we) have had so much uncertainty in their lives right now, when they’re feeling insecure, unsafe and unsure about everything, the least I can do is say yes (or at least try to).
And you know what, it preserves my energy for saying no to the things that I really can’t negotiate on. Like sharing my chocolate.
The winter break that never ends, It just goes on and on my friends...
Guest post by a dear friend of mine and a Milwaukee Mom.
(You know, the song that never ends… I should have posted this last week, but it’s taken me a week to recover and recalibrate from these past two weeks, so here it is. But looking out my window right now, I do wonder if we’ll have another snow day tomorrow. Morning Edit: And I couldn’t post this last night because my web host was having technical difficulties, so here it is today. In case you were wondering, no snow day for us - just a late start.)
We’ve done this vacation thing for three years now. Winter break was coming and we knew full and well, that the word vacation had no connection to the experience it would bring. They say its mind over matter, so mind over matter it was. We could carve out the week to connect with the kids, and give them some fun quality time over the course of the 5 days. And we did. We did all the things that would get us stickers on the parenting chart. We probably could even have picked a prize from the treasure chest for a job well done. As the weekend approached we patted ourselves on the shoulder, celebrated the emotional survival of both parent and child and looked ahead to the coming week. And then the coming week came.
Monday brought 15 inches of snow and NO SCHOOL. We got a small break on Tuesday with just enough time to shovel the 15 inches of snow from the day prior. And then news of Wednesday broke - freezing cold temperatures and NO SCHOOL! (#polarvortex)
At this point we have been home and out of school for 12 days! It’s -50 degrees outside and we are confined to the indoors of our home. The same four walls we have been in for the last 12 days! With no choice and nowhere to go, we plow forward. (no pun intended) By now nothing in the house is off limits – if it can’t be used as a weapon for a homicide it is allowed. You want to fill the empty detergent containers with hand-soap and shampoo and experiment in the tub - sure! Make slides out of all the pillows and blankets in the house – go for it! We build cities, we paint, doo dot, color, cut, take online art lessons, bake, and even have a birthday party. By the days end every cabinet and closet in the house is open and in disarray. The entire contents of the basement playroom are dispersed throughout the house. Tiny bits of cut paper are scattered through the kitchen alongside chocolate frosting handprints. The dishes are full of sinks, mom’s brain is mush and the house is in an official state of dysfunction.
We console ourselves with the thought that school can’t be cancelled forever and that routine will reign once again. But will it? I just read the email about tomorrow…NO SCHOOL!
2018 Year in Review
2018 has been a whirlwind of a year.
I focused a lot on personal projects this past year, trying to explore and add depth to my imagery.
We celebrated two weddings in the family, summered hard, and tried to be more present in our daily lives.
Of course, probably one of the craziest thins I’ve done this year is co-found Storytellers Photo Conference together with Rowena Meadows.
But most of all, I was privileged to meet many new families, whom I can now call my friends, who trusted me to come into their homes and document their lives. Their love. Their relationships.
I should probably elaborate more about my year, but really I just want to share the slideshow of some of my favorites from this year. I hope you enjoy.
I am eagerly looking forward to 2019 and what it has in store.
If you’ve been contemplating a Day in the Life session, let’s talk about it. I want to hear why you haven’t booked it yet. Tell me what’s holding you back. Make this the year you commit to yourself and your family and get yourself in those beautiful everyday photos. LET’S TALK.
What a stay at home summer feels like // Milwaukee Family Photographer
Now that the kids are back at school, (day 2), I've had a couple free minutes to process my thoughts, feelings and photos.
Summers are so important to me, as a way for our family to reconnect and cultivate our relationships. Don't get me wrong, having the structure of school days throughout the year is wonderful for my children, but equally as important is the down time where we spend our days together as a family. Yes, sometimes there's fighting, but the overall feeling at the end of it all, is a feeling of warmth and togetherness.
As you are probably aware, I photograph our daily life all the time. This summer, I set out to make pictures that document the daily grind by bringing the viewer into the photo, creating a feeling that transcends my immediate family. My goal was images that are relatable, telling a universal story about summer.
Let me just say this. Our summer wasn't grand by any means. We didn't road trip this summer. We didn't do any exotic adventuring. (I think the county fair was our most adventurous activity.) We hardly even went to any of the local places on our bucket list. It was a very low key, home-oriented summer, and it couldn't have been better. We read many books, spent a ton of time in our backyard and we even went grocery shopping all together (then I got smart and ordered the groceries to the house).
After curating a gallery from 3 months worth of photos, I've paired it down to these 21 images that best tell the STORY OF SUMMER.
I hope you enjoy.
Memories for a lifetime // Family Photographer in Milwaukee
“I hate to sound morbid, but you know when they say, “What’s one thing you’d grab if there was ever a fire in your house? This album is the one item I’d grab. It’s priceless.”
This is the reaction I get when my clients get their albums and look through them the first time. And I know that feeling remains even when I'm not there to watch eyes fill with tears while flipping the pages.
Every time I order an album, I get excited for it to arrive. I love running my hands over the lush leatherette cover, the magnificent, velvety pages, and the beautiful box with clear magnetic cover completes the elegant presentation.
Whether you have a full day, half day, or just a 2 hour session, an album is the perfect way to tell the story of your family life in a beautiful, artful way. These heirloom albums are all handcrafted in Italy and will withstand the test of time, lasting for generations. The perfect family legacy.
The session above, was very momentous for the R. Family. They just moved away from Milwaukee, after living here for 9 years! The images in this album are deeply meaningful to them.
This is the home they brought their children home from the hospital when they were born.
This is the home in which they learnt to talk, love, give and forgive.
This is the kitchen in which they shared meals, conversations, and ????.
These are the rooms in which they played, they cried, they laughed and sometimes maybe even argued.
This home is where they welcomed friends, family, birthdays and milestones.
So many feelings and memories are stored in the walls of their home, and now they have visual proof in a real and tangible way to relieve their beautiful life in Milwaukee.
“They capture a special moment in time, and they bring so much emotion when looking back at them. They transport me in time”
The truth is, you don't need to be leaving your home in order to treasure what you have. Everyday - Today - is a perfect day to preserve your family life. If you'd like to document your life, with images that artfully tell your story, contact me today.
LIVE AND LET LIVE . why i love spring in milwaukee
It's May. That means it rains here in Wisconsin. (We don't follow the general guideline of "April showers bring May flowers").
And it rained today. All day. Except in the late afternoon when my kids came home from school. It stopped for an hour and of course my kids went out to play.
I love when my kids play outdoors. I strongly encourage healthy, imaginative and organic play.
And sometimes that includes digging. (Okay, who am I kidding? It ALWAYS includes digging). I did lay out some ground rules (ha! pun not intended) and in an attempt to let my grass, flowers and veggies live long, healthy lives, I allotted a corner of my yard for digging.
I was enjoying a quiet, uninterrupted phone call with my Mom this afternoon, and I looked out the window just in time to see a mud ball whiz through the air! So I very calmly told my mother, "Oh. my boys are playing in the mud. Ha!" and in the same breath I thought, "Well, I should probably go outside just in case - you know be preemptive". And then I said, "Wait! I should get my camera. K. Bye Ma!"
And by the time I got outside (not one whole minute later) my boys were elbow deep in wet mud. Yes. I said elbow deep!
So I did what any mother would do. I just let them rub it all over their arms! And then (even though it was only 50-something degrees), I hosed them down fully clothed until they started complaining that they were too cold and getting frostbitten. Then we went inside and got all clean in a fresh, warm bath!
And this my friends, is the third realization I came to. (Well, it's not a new realization. It's something I've always strongly felt and believed. But today I have reconfirmed it).
LIVE AND LET LIVE.
So what if they get mud all over themselves. Everything is washable. I hope. (That reminds me. I need to check the clothes in the washer).
But look at their smiles! They're so happy!
After all is said and done, they're only kids once and I want them to have a happy, healthy childhood.
And yes it can get tiring. I'll be honest, I was so gone by the time I had to clean up the dinner table and I may have been a bit impatient during bedtime.
But this is all part and parcel of the beautiful, chaotic and sometimes muddy journey, called motherhood!
Moms out there, I know Mother's Day is coming up. If you're celebrating (or even if you're not) you should take the time to celebrate yourself. Let your expectations fall to the ground. (Throw them in the wet mud). LET GO OF THE PERCEIVED PERFECTION. Social media makes it so easy for us to believe that everyone else's lives are all peachy. When really, it's all just a curated feed. Only your own life is real. And inherently beautiful. So just inhale, smell the roses, and enjoy your lovely and/or crazy family.
And if you want to talk about documenting and capturing that family of yours, you know where to find me. RIGHT HERE!
My spring and summer availability is shrinking by the day, so do not wait around to book your session!
Mommy and Me // Milwaukee Family Photographer // Motherhood Ramblings
Today, my daughter drew this masterpiece. "That's Mommy and me", she said. I think she's an artist, but I may be biased. She's three (going on 16, but that's another story).
Anyway, the point of this post isn't to show off my toddler's drawing abilities. But, it did make me think.
Moms, how many of you are the ones behind the camera all the time?
We are an integral part of our children's childhood, yet when all they're left with is the memories, and some photos to go with those memories, how many of us will really be in those images?
So, do yourself a favor.
Get a real photo of yourself with your wonderful family.
Ask a friend or hire a professional. But get in that photo!
This is my most recent "selfie" with said artist. She clearly loves me a lot 😉.
All of you moms and dads out there, deserve to see this love your children have for you!
FYI, I'm booking into mid-end May right now, so if you've been considering a family storytelling session or Day in the Life photo session, let's connect and make it happen for you!
Goldfish Swim School // Brookfield, Wisconsin
“The facility is welcoming, clean, and organized, and the staff is informative and friendly. The main thing I love about Goldfish Swim is that the pool area is so warm and you never get cold swimming! ”
Let me just start by saying that Goldfish Swim School has met and exceeded all my swim school expectations thus far!!
I am pretty particular about swim schools for my children. I started with my oldest when he was 6 months old. I was pretty spoiled with that experience. We were living in Toronto at that time, and we joined the unbelievable swim school of a close family friend of ours. That was just an amazing swimming lesson experience, and set the bar very high for our swim school expectations.
Then we moved to Milwaukee, and I was so sad about stopping swimming lessons and I knew I that was one thing I didn't want to give up on.
I researched every single swim school option in and around Milwaukee and settled on one. I was not thrilled with that experience at all. My son did not make any progress and I was quite underwhelmed. I continued my research, but found that most swim schools weren't a good fit for our family.
Enter Goldfish Swim School!
Their facility is happy, clean and so child friendly.
The instuctors are calm, patient and positive.
And the water is so warm!!
“My son really enjoys swim classes at Goldfish swim school. The classes are personal and the instructors are hands on and safety of kids is always at the forefront. As a parent I love the small classes and flexible time that they offer as well.”
My 3 year old absolutely loves going swimming every week. She is learning all the skills for proper water safety. So much so, that when we recently went swimming on our winter break, I felt more confident with her ability to stay safe in the water, than my 5 year old (who has had no swimming lessons at all - but don't worry, we'll be starting him very soon).
Honestly, I can't say enough good things about Goldfish Swim School. If you've been looking for swimming lessons for your child, do yourself a favor and register at Goldfish. You will not regret it!
Am I the only one without a New Year's resolution? // Milwaukee Family Photographer
So yeah. I may not have taken a photo every day, edited it and uploaded it to share with all my cyber friends, but the real reason I took those photos, was for me. For my family. These are little snapshots into what our year looked like. Moments and memories that will be with us forever.
Here's a quick glimpse at my Non-365!
I just shared with a couple fellow photographer friends, that it seems like I'm the only one who isn't making an "official commitment or resolution" to join a 365 group or whatever.
But you know what I realized as the months and days marched along last year? The images I make, all have to come from within me. From my own inspiration. From my own feelings and emotions. And so for that reason, I'm going to continue on my Non-365 journey and I'll take photos, maybe everyday, maybe not everyday. But one thing is certain. When I'm inspired, when I see and feel something, I will document it and preserve it. Because that's really what it's all about. Preserving our cherished everyday moments. The ones that are so fleeting, we almost don't realize they're happening.
And truth is, I'd love to do this for you too! With each family that I meet, I am newly inspired to see all those moments. The love. The interaction. The relationships. The joy. The chaos. All of it! I see the wholesomeness in your family unit, and bring it to life in beautiful images. Works of real art. Contact me today to get your family story preserved.
679 Days // Milwaukee Adoption
I first met Molly and her amazing family when I photographed her for the Beauty Revived - 50 Beautiful Moms Project. (See here for that session.)
She is a truly inspirational woman, mother and friend. Her values and love are a light onto her family and her community.
Molly and Patrick opened up their hearts and their home to Ericka. 679 days in foster care, connecting, nurturing her as a daughter, all while knowing she may not live with them forever.
I was honored and privileged to attend the monumental occasion of Ericka's adoption.
Ericka Lynn Nelson-Pearce is one lucky girl. She has the most loving Dad, Mom and big brother a girl could ever want. I know I learned so much from getting to know Molly, and I asked her to share some of her thoughts on fostering and adoption.
"Foster care is not really for those who only want to adopt, you have to be prepared for the possibility of the child returning home. We decided to foster because we knew we wanted to add to our family, but not in the traditional biological way at that time. We were hoping to adopt all along but were aware that that may not happen right away. We were in it to help a child and a family, and if that meant getting them back home, that was great but if that meant making them apart of our forever family, that was great too. "
I asked Molly if she'd foster again. Her response, "In a heartbeat....but my husband would like a little break for a while ;)".
How long did/does the foster process take? How does it compare to adoption? For us, it took about 10 months to become licensed foster parents. After we were officially licensed, we got the call to come and pick up Ericka two weeks later. Traditional domestic adoption can take years...and thousands and thousands of dollars. That was not something we were interested in seeing as how there are so many children in foster care waiting for homes.
l want other families to know {about foster care is}, it is easier than you think. A lot of people get scared to foster, say they couldn't do it, their loss would be too much if the child returned home. We say, thats a good thing. You SHOULD love and pour your whole heart into a child. It should hurt like hell if they leave you, because that means you did your job. You gave them exactly what they needed. Fostering is such a blessing, and adoption is an amazing added bonus.
Pat and I try to live our lives with the following thought in mind, "WHY SAY NO, WHEN YOU CAN SAY YES?" Well, I have no answer to that, but it sounds like a great life motto.