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Mothers | Madison Family Photographer

Mothers.

Topknot hair day. Tired eyes. Makeup-less. Yoga pants.  Again.

But my kids don’t see that. They see me kneeling down to zip coats, tie shoes, examine the sparkly rock they unearthed from their secret mud spot. My cheek brushes theirs, and we may pause for an eyelash kiss. It’s not that they don’t see me; on the contrary, I believe they are wholly acquainted with each age spot freckle on my face, every speckle in my green-golden irises.

I take thousands of images a year of my family, and unless Charlie gets ahold of my iPhone to candidly catch me, I’m not in any of them. This gives me pause.

Most of my own childhood memories are based on feelings first, subsequently accompanied by an image in my brain that looks like it’s being viewed from inside a carwash. Some have more clarity than others.  So, it is such a gift when I come across a picture of my mother from that time–so crisp & real & lovely & warm & fuzzy. There aren’t nearly enough of those gifts, and sadly, very few of just the two of us.  I have some wonderful ones from my wedding, a couple from these last few years, but almost nil from my childhood of just the two of us.   That needs to change going forward.  I need more pictures with my own mother, and my children need pictures with me.

What about you? Are you in your family pictures?  I know you’re there with them—you’re making Star Wars pancakes, dotting toes with glitter polish, kissing wounded knees, packing lunches with little notes on folded napkins with XOXO, proofreading homework, filling the bubbly tub, reading extra bedtime stories, listening, listening, listening, and countless additional connections, tasks, activities, engagements. You’re the cornerstone of the family; get yourself documented in those memories.  If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for your kids.

I’ll be doing the same. Topknot, makeup-less, yoga pants and all.

Look at all these gorgeous mamas getting in the frame.  It’s your wife’s turn. Your sister’s turn. Your mother’s turn.

Your turn.

We see you, we absolutely see you.

 

mothers and daughter stand at baseball diamond chainlink fence with sun setting behind themmothers hold newborn child in living roommothers squat holding an armful of apples while smiling and small child climbs on her backmothers sit in grass with three young daughters hugging and or running toward hermothers and daughter use a kitchen mixer togethermothers hold infant child on lap on a rocking chair while reading a board bookmothers swings toddler son in the air at a playground mothers sit at outdoor dining table with three adult childrenmothers hold newborn and touches blanket near chin. Book on her lap, soft window light coming ina mothers lay on her side watching her toddler daughter gently touch newborn son's nose.Mothers and daughter work in garden together Mothers hold a coffee mug in one hand and newborn child in the other Mothers jump on a swingy bridge with her preschool age son at the park. Both are smiling. mothers hold infant son, both smiling, in beautiful natural light mothers walk across the street with her three adolescence sons. Sun is shining through the houses, creating dramatic light Boy holds mother's face in his hands and kisses her nose; mothers skip with hula hoops with her two daughtersmothers lean over newborn and smiles mothers help guide toddler son across big boulders while sun is shining through fall treescoffee cup in foreground, mothers holding newborn son in backgroundmothers changes newborn's clothing mothers and daughter look in bakery window, reflection is present two kids sit on mothers lap eating popsiclesmothers garden with two children, picking pumpkins, smilingmothers run next to teen son while holding a ball and running; playing kickballmothers smiles as toddler daughter is placed in her arms mother holds newborn baby in her arms in the kitchen

Mothers hold toddler boy holding fall leaves

 

New mothers holds newborn outside, baby smiles.

mom holds daughter on her back and girl smiles sweetly at mother

Mothers smile at toddler girl who laughing on a blanket outside. Green trees and green grass in background.Mothers laughs as toddler son slides down curly slide. Black and white. Mothers helps preschool son make a s'more over a fire pit.Mother and son toss bean bags in the backyard on a fall evening.Mother walks next to children in beautiful sunlight on a roadMothers and daughter walk down an autumn path with light coming through the trees at the end. Mother is gesturing toward the light with her hands.Mother holds toddler daughter in arms while handing her a purple aster flower. Daughter looks curious and smiling.Late evening golden light flares behind young mother looking sweetly at her sleeping newborn in her arms.Mother and toddler son curiously look inside a hole of a fallen tree.

Mothers reaches out for baby being held by older sister while middle sister smiles on

Mother smiles at infant son who is smiling at the camera on a fall day. Mother walks with her three children in an open field at sunset.

Mother points to vibrant anti-racist murals in downtown Madison while her children follow her point

Teen daughters playfully toss fall leaves at their smiling mothers in front of their home

mom ice skates on a pond with young daughter

Mothers play soccer in the backyard with two young children

mothers hold her alert newborn in a rocking chair in front of a window

mother holds baby drinking a bottle in a rocking chair while reading a board booka child plays with her mothers hair in the living room.

Mothers and daughter walk in a snowy forest togetherMothers hold a sleeping newborn on her chestmothers hold a toddler girl in her arms, smiling, while in the living room of their homemother holds a banana phone on a couch while young child jumps gleefully on couchmother walks with two teen girls and spouse near a lake with sunflare presentfour generations of mothers sit on a couch and read a book to grandchildrengirl points to book a mothers is holding a girl in red looks at camera while mother holds her in a field of evergreen treesa mothers hold her newborn baby against her chest

Mother sits in a chair with newborn daughter. Mom holds young son and talks to him under a warm sun and beautiful fall day. Mother closes her eyes and smiles as her son uses a bubble "gun" to shoot lots of bubbles in her direction. Black and white.

Mother holds toddler son, smiles at him, as the wind blows her hair. Mother holds infant daughter in arms on the back porch. Soft light. Top down view. Mother holds toddler son on her lap on the swing. Sun flare coming from top of the frame. Mother helps young daughter fit her hand into her pink baseball glove. They are standing in warm, dappled afternoon light. Mother carries toddler son while walking in a field of evergreen trees. Older son with them. Mother holds a cup of coffee as she talks to her young daughter over a building a gingerbread house. There is a Christmas tree in the background and an A-frame ginggerbread house in the foreground.

Mother sits on a couch and reads Christmas stories with her young son. Mother holds her newborn at the hospital. She is on a couch with a lot of black, negative space to the left. Black and white.Mother helps son get his shoes on at the park. His bike is in the foreground. Mother reads with toddler daughter in daughter's bedroom.

Boy makes eye contact with camera and smiles as he gets a piggy back ride from his mother. Mother holds infant daughter and smiles at her in front of their home. Three children run to their mother in their backyard. Mother gives hi-five to one of her kids across a circle of other children after a game.Daughter examines her mother's necklace as they watch the sunset over a field. Young boy sits on his mother's lap and smiles. She smiles at him. Black and white. Color. Mother lies in a hospital bed holding newborn child and making eye contact with child. Soft, low light and lots of shadows in the frame. Black and white. Mother is feeding infant daughter in high chair. Mother and daughter embrace at the park. Black and white. Mother helps daughter put on shoes, while child is sitting on a tree branch. Mother drops a handful of garden beans into a bowl her son is holding for her. Mother laughs in the kitchen with her two teen daughters. Black and white. Mother gently holds her daughter's head as they walk through a crowded farmers' market.

Black and white. Mother sits at dining room table while preschool child shares a story she wrote.

Two girls swing at the park. Mother pushes the youngest girl. Sun flare enters the frame.

Mother lays on a hillside with twin children. Sunflare comes over the trees. Black and white. Mom reads a book with daughter on a couch. Mom smiles while chooses a Christmas tree with her family. Mom throws snowballs with young son in a snowstorm.

Mom sits in window light holding her newborn baby.Mom holds newborn in the backyard with summertime dappled light. Black and white. Mom anticipates receiving her newborn with outreached arms and a big smile. Black and white. Mom smiles nose to nose with toddler son in his crib.Mom leans over preschool daughter and newborn son in bed while smiling. Daughter points out into a forest of yellow leaves while her mother has her arm around her Mom tenderly leans in toward her toddler daughter's head at the dinner table. Daughter's face is reflected in a picture frame glass on the table.Mom plays card game with young son at dining room table. Black and white. Black and white. Two photos. Mom engages in joyful play with young daughter.Black and white. Mom smiles with her two boys leaning on her with lots of sun flare. Focus of mother smiling at her preschool age daughter in beautiful light. Mom engages with two young children on swings. Mom puts towel around young son on a speed boat on a lake. The boy is holding a puppy.Mom and daughter pick green beans off plant in backyard garden. New mother holds newborn in an embrace against her chest in a hospital room.Mother holds young daughter in impromptu hug in the kitchen. Mother and daughter read books over on the floor of a living room. Madison Family Documentary Photographer_0018Black and white. Mother holds newborn baby over her shoulder.Madison Family Documentary Photographer_0015Madison Family Documentary Photographer_0014Madison Family Documentary Photographer_0012Madison Family Documentary Photographer_0013Madison Family Documentary Photographer_0009Madison Family Documentary Photographer_0008Madison Family Documentary Photographer_0006Madison Family Documentary Photographer_0017Madison Family Documentary Photographer_0002

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My mother and me.

 

 

Check out Jen’s newborn and family work and then contact Jen now to get in your own family’s pictures!  On the fence? Read all of Jen’s five-star Google reviews.  You’ll never regret this.

Beautifully Ordinary trademarkBeautifully Ordinary is a trademark of Jen Lucas Photography, LLC.

 

xo, Jen

14 comments
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  • BarbApril 30, 2013 - 7:46 pm

    Jen, these are beautiful! Love this post!ReplyCancel

  • Jana PerenchioMay 1, 2013 - 10:56 am

    What sweet tender moments captured!!ReplyCancel

  • JulieMay 2, 2013 - 8:53 pm

    Wonderful post! The ones of you with your mom are precious!ReplyCancel

  • Heather LeeMay 2, 2013 - 10:27 pm

    So beautiful. I love this.ReplyCancel

  • NancyMay 3, 2013 - 6:15 am

    Beautiful! You really nailed it, Jen. And from my memory comes a clear image of Mother always saying she didn’t want in the frame,,, what a loss.ReplyCancel

  • Lindsey BalloMay 12, 2013 - 1:56 pm

    Love this Jen! Read it aloud to my sister Nicole to remind her that even on the hard days, your kids will love you through and through (and vice versa 🙂 )

    Lots of love and happy mother’s day to you!!

    -LindseyReplyCancel

  • BridgetMay 1, 2014 - 11:55 am

    This made me cry. A parent’s love is a powerful thing. Thank you for taking such lovely pics of our family!

    Now I’m going to go call my folks. 😉ReplyCancel

  • Melissa Miller EverettMay 1, 2014 - 1:12 pm

    Precious and perfect!ReplyCancel

  • Crystal NippMay 1, 2014 - 5:28 pm

    I was expecting a picture of you with the boys! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Sally SoslerMay 1, 2014 - 8:33 pm

    So beautifully written Jen!! Thank you for sharing this important reminder!! xoReplyCancel

  • Sara TegmanMay 2, 2014 - 12:16 am

    Where is the pic with you and your sweet boys? This post is lovely! ReplyCancel

  • gretchen clevelandApril 23, 2015 - 9:08 am

    LOVE. THIS. SO. MUCH. the pic of me and the beans made me tear up. thank you for this post!! xoxoReplyCancel

  • HaleyMay 7, 2015 - 3:55 pm

    love your post Jen! Happy Mother’sdsy to you! XoReplyCancel

  • emily bApril 25, 2016 - 3:22 pm

    So so wonderful! I’m totally teary eyed right now. xoReplyCancel