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A couple years ago the thought that my then eight-year-old turning nine was pinging around in my brain like a bouncy ball.  Not in the epic-birthday-bash-planning way.  Nor in the oh-dear-heavens-he-is-getting-so big way.  For whatever reason I got stuck on this singular thought: double the years and he leaves for college. This chapter with Jack is half over. Cliche’ as it is (apologies), it really is staggeringly short measure of time. All these Centurian-long days and, yet, here we were at the half in a snap. And so, what is it that I want my three boys to remember about their childhood? What is it I want to remember? I want them (and myself) confident in living the realness. No apologies for laundry baskets in the foyer, bedhead at lunchtime, dishes in the sink. No apologies for real life. My elementary math word problem at that time became the catalyst to change my business model; I no longer wanted families to sign on for the store-bought perfection we collectively strive for in social media.  My work is for you.  Not for your college roommate’s sister’s friend to see this scrubbed version of you. Sure, show them that too: I curl my hair every now and then; it would be nice to have a record of something other than a sloppy top knot. But I’m all for you–your walls, your dog-eared albums, your own real memories.

Sarah contacted me right after her first trimester–before two house moves, before a brand new job, and before she even knew she was having a daughter, which is especially strange to think about. She thoughtfully filled out my questionnaire, highlighting home, love, togetherness. Throughout the *cough* brutal *cough* winter we occasionally touched base through email and text, and by spring we met for fantastically cozy conversation.  Sarah knew she never wanted posed newborn images, but in the course of a cup of hot tea, she was downright enthusiastic about the documentary session that was soon to unfold.

I have a trillion *lovely* thoughts about meeting Sarah, Matt, & Marlo on that gorgeous May evening, but nothing is more honest than the takeaway feeling that they embody kindness to the bone.  Even in their newborn exhaustion, their genuine gentleness with the world is nothing short of palpable.  Their session was as beautiful and real and emotive for me as you can imagine, but in this case, I found this completely unexpected delicious nugget from Sarah to do the talking for me:

Pardon me, I have a smidgen of something salty in my eye. Sniff!

 

 

 

Swoon.  Thank you, Sarah, Matt, & Marlo! What a gift to be able to document your gorgeous family!

 

The most amazing thing about Jen Lucas Photography isn’t just that Jen takes stunning photos, or even that she is a delightful person — it’s that she finds and believes in the beauty of the honest moment. So when she came over to do Marlo’s newborn photos, I decided something pretty radical for me: to show up as I really am right now, with no makeup and my cheap blue watch that can be puked on and showered with, and I wouldn’t ask Matt to get a haircut, and I wouldn’t dress Marlo in anything other than what she wears every day. What came out of it is priceless to me….Go hire her NOW! — Not only because Jen is an incredible artist, but because she helped me to see that the present, in all its messiness and imperfection, with its surprises and exhaustion and indescribable love and joy, is beautiful, and perfect, and us. I can’t thank you enough, Jen. You’re the very best.