Celebrating Connection, Chaos, and Everything in Between

Every spring, when I start planning Motherhood Minis, I think about the years I spent in the thick of it. Toddler on one hip, newborn on the other, and absolutely zero photos of me to prove it. I skipped so many years of being in the frame. And no, I’m not counting blurry selfies on my phone.

That’s why I started hosting this event five years ago. For moms like me. Moms who are always the ones taking the photos, but never actually in them. I wanted to create a chance for you to show up, be seen, and celebrate the season of life you’re in — without having to play photographer, coordinator, and snack distributor at the same time.

When I first launched these, Motherhood Minis weren’t trendy. But even then, I knew how much they mattered. I wasn’t after Pinterest-perfect poses. I wanted to document the in-between stuff. The real moments. The chaos, the sweetness, the way your kid holds your hand or hides behind your leg.

Because motherhood is all of it. The calm and the meltdowns. The kisses and the crumbs. The giggles and the eye rolls. And that’s what I want to help you remember.

Don’t wait to be in the photo. Don’t skip the year. I promise, you’ll want these pictures someday — and so will your kids.

This Year’s Motherhood Minis: A Beautiful and Bold Backdrop

This spring, we gathered once again for a day of flower-filled Motherhood Mini sessions, and it was everything I’d hoped for and more!

The backdrop? A warm, inviting studio space filled with the most beautiful floral install thanks to Remingtons Flowers. I gave her a general color palette and a loose sketch... and somehow she brought it to life better than I even imagined. She seriously crushed it. I’m so thankful to have her creative magic as part of these sessions — she always shows up and makes it stunning.

What made this year extra special wasn’t just the perfect weather or the dreamy blooms; it was the energy each family brought. There was laughter, yes. A few toddler moments (real life > perfection). But mostly, there was love. Pure, simple, deeply felt love.

I focused on the in-between moments:

A mama brushing hair back from her daughter’s face.
A baby gripping tight to her mother’s necklace.
Barefoot toddlers running into open arms.
Eyes closed, noses touching, deep breaths shared.

These were the moments that made this year’s Motherhood Minis magical.

Curious how these sessions have grown over the years? Take a peek at past Motherhood Mini recaps from 2024, 2023, and 2022 — each one tells its own beautiful story.

Why Motherhood Deserves to Be Seen & Celebrated

Here’s the truth: moms are rarely in the frame. We’re the ones behind the camera, wiping noses, zipping jackets, holding the snacks and the schedules and the stories together.

And yet, motherhood deserves to be honored. Fully. Tenderly. Truthfully.

That’s why I do this - to give you a moment to just be. To sit in the sunlight with your babies, to laugh without thinking about laundry, to feel your value reflected back in a photograph. Not for how perfect everything looked, but for how deeply you love.

These sessions are a love letter to you. To your resilience, your softness, your strength, your story. Because you matter. And you deserve to see that. This heartfelt piece from Motherly beautifully illustrates why it's so important for mothers to be seen in their own stories.

What Happens During a Motherhood Mini?

If the idea of photos with your kids sounds stressful, don’t worry, these sessions are designed to be anything but.

Here’s what to expect:

20 minutes of relaxed, natural connection.
Play-based prompts that spark joy and movement.
Gentle guidance to help you feel at ease.
No stiff poses. No pressure. Just real moments.

You don’t need to prep anything fancy. You don’t even have to get your toddler to “cooperate” (I’ll take care of that — that’s part of the magic of working with a Milwaukee family photographer who sees the beauty in the chaos). These sessions are quick, low-pressure, and full of grace for whatever your family dynamic looks like that day.

Even the busiest moms walk away with something beautiful.

The Power of the Full Gallery Upgrade

Every Motherhood Mini session includes a handful of carefully edited digital images, but because I capture so many genuine moments throughout our time together, families often find it tough to narrow down their favorites. That’s why many choose to upgrade to the full gallery — to keep all the beautiful pieces of their story without having to choose.

Sure, the session is short. But the moments? They’re endless. The way your baby looks up at you. The crooked toddler grin. The hand squeeze. The in-betweens you didn’t even notice I caught.

Every image tells a part of your story. And when you see them all together, it’s a portrait of your motherhood: whole and honest and heartbreakingly beautiful.

“I’m so glad we upgraded,” one client told me. “I couldn’t choose. Every photo felt like a piece of my heart.”

Looking Ahead: More Minis Coming Soon

If you missed this year’s Motherhood Minis, don’t worry, we’ve got more coming up.

Summer Sunflower Minis, cozy Fall Minis… each one is a chance to press pause and document the love that lives in your family.

Want to be the first to know when booking opens? Join my email list here. You’ll get early access, updates, and first dibs on your favorite time slots.

And if you’re dreaming of something more custom, let’s talk. I offer full family sessions that give you more time, more images, and more space to tell your story your way. Learn more about my lifestyle family sessions here.

Thank You for Letting Me Tell Your Story

To every mama who stepped in front of my lens this spring: thank you. Thank you for trusting me with your memories. Thank you for showing up with full hearts, open arms, and all the love in between.

These sessions are my favorite not because they’re perfect, but because they’re real. Because they’re you.

And if you’re reading this and wondering whether a Motherhood Mini session is worth it, let me tell you: it is. Your story matters. Your motherhood is beautiful. Let’s capture it.

Get in touch here!