Mashed Bananas & Books

One of the many reasons I could talk about the documentary approach to family photography sessions is that, while beautiful to just be real, it is that we forget. We just do.

I can tell you that my own first newborn had a pale yellow nursery wall and a starry circular rug.  I know he had a white wicker basket of board books, but I couldn’t tell you which ones he had at six months. Sure, I have snippets and glossy moments, but without pictures, I don’t have the mundane in my instant recall. With one post-nap picture, I see the cerulean blue, room darkening curtains my grandmother made for him when I told her that he wasn’t sleeping during the day. I see a onesie’d bleary-eyed infant who is forcefully pounding the crib mattress with his legs, which is echoing in the room like a kick drum. I’m instantly pulled into the room by a sweet,  heavy bouquet of Baby Neck and Milk.  From the size of his body in the picture, I can immediately discern his weight. No, not in pounds and ounces on a scale, but exactly how he feels in my arms, on my chest.  Squishy legs and wrists. And I’m transported in a blink.  He’s 16 years old today and in that nanosecond, he’s six months again and we’re rocking in the semi-dark after a warm, cozy nap.

“Before the mountains call to you, before you leave this home

I want to teach your heart to trust, as I will teach my own

But sometimes I will ask the moon where it shined upon you last

And shake my head and laugh and say, “It all went by so fast.”  –Dar Williams, “The One Who Knows”

Zip Back In Your Own Memories

Let me bring you back to your baby in 16 years too.  I am available for documentary family photography in Middleton, Madison, Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee–and beyond.

xo,

Jen

 

Beautifully Ordinary is a trademark of Jen Lucas Photography, LLC.  See more beautiful family photography in Middleton and beyond here!