Over the past few months, with the new year approaching, I began to really think about my business, and I couldn’t help but wonder — is there a way I could make it more “me”? It’s no secret that photography is still relatively new for me. For many years, I pursued an education with a focus in social justice, specifically women’s issues. I even have my PhD, although that’s easy for me to forget since most of my conversations take place with people two years old and under. I never thought I would be a stay at home mom. With this new normal — from writing grants and papers to folding laundry and wiping runny noses — I began to think: what would happen if I blended the passion from my former life as an academic with my new passion for photography? How could I do that? And the answer was surprisingly simple: focus on women. Empower women through photography.
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Anyone who knows me knows I’m a feminist (pssst: not a dirty word ; )). And although I don’t actively do feminist research right now, it doesn’t mean I don’t care about women’s issues. If anything, my role as a mother has introduced me to and made me passionate about new issues, like normalizing breastfeeding and respectful care during pregnancy and birth. I realized that I could help women preserve their memories and make them feel empowered all at the same time. In fact, I realized I’m already doing that — through birth and breastfeeding photography.
I’ve wanted to do birth photography ever since having my oldest son’s birth documented, but it’s not the easiest thing to do with a newborn ; ) Now that he is two and a half and my little guy is almost ten months, I have a few births under my belt, and I would love love love to book more. I am so incredibly thankful that I have the births of my boys on photographic record. Obviously becoming a mother (both times!) were some of the happiest moments of my life. I could write a whole post on why you should consider a birth photographer (and I probably will ; )). But to stick to the point, birth is empowering. Whether you birth your baby at home or in a hospital, vaginally or through a c-section, naturally or with an epidural, YOU gave birth to that baby. YOU carried that baby inside of you and you brought him or her Earthside. YOU were both the weakest and strongest you’ve ever been. You became a new person. When I look back at images from my own births, I am so grateful to have that documented. Those are the proudest moments of my life.
When I decided to nurse my oldest son, I didn’t realize I would become a breastfeeding advocate (yes, even though I am a feminist). I thought, “What’s the big deal?” But breastfeeding IS a big deal. Next to childbirth, it is the hardest thing I have ever done. It takes commitment. It takes research and knowledge. It takes courage. And, it is amazing. I mean, YOU sustain life with your breastmilk. YOU make your baby grow, provide your baby comfort, and give them the healthiest start possible. YOU! Breastfeeding is empowering, and it deserves to be honored and documented. And I love doing just that! I have an extensive portfolio of breastfeeding images. I participate in the Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project to help normalize breastfeeding. Because I shoot so many newborn sessions, I also like to capture that early bond for new mamas.
And now I want to add boudoir to the mix. Why? Because I believe all women are beautiful and deserve to feel that way. And when I say all women, I mean mothers, wives, and strong single women. I mean women of all shapes and sizes. We all deserve to feel great about our bodies. During a boudoir session, I want that woman to feel absolutely amazing. Of course you’ll be a little bit nervous at first. But how great would it feel to go out of your comfort zone and do something nice for yourself? My goal for these sessions is to make women feel confident and allow their inner radiance to shine through. You don’t need to wait until you lose 10 pounds! Love yourself now. Something that all of these sessions — birth, breastfeeding, boudoir — have in common is that you’ll never get this time back. This is a season of your life. Embrace it.
To apply for a portfolio-building session, please click here.
xo,
Kristin
P.S. To live up to my own words, that’s my postpartum belly up there (taken with an iPhone, so don’t judge image quality, okay? ; )). My body worked hard to carry and birth and nourish these babes, and I’m proud of it <3
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