What are Mommy and Me Sessions? And why are they so important? An origin story.

One of the best things I did when I was pregnant with Hunter happened quite on accident. Some of my favorite photographers (Luke & Ashley Photography) were hosting fall mini sessions the year I was pregnant with Hunter. I decided it would be a great opportunity to get some photos of the three of us while it was still just the three of us! I was a stay at home mom to Saithe, taking on minimal photography sessions, but mostly enjoying my one-on-one time with her before the new baby came. We did just about everything together for the six months I was home before Hunter was born.

I scheduled the session, Saithe and I got ready that day, and we were all very excited until about an hour before the session David got stuck in a meeting and couldn’t make it! Obviously heartbroken because my plan had been (I thought) ruined, I wasn’t sure what to do. Do I keep the session with just me and Saithe? What about David? Wouldn’t he feel left out? Should I cancel and book another session later in the fall? Thankfully my husband is a very smart man! He convinced me to keep the mini session with just the two of us, and schedule a full maternity session later.

Saithe and I showed up to our session, got our photos done, and without a doubt it has ended up being one of my favorite memories of my pregnancy! I didn’t know it at the time, but looking back five years later, it was incredible to document that time that was so much about me and Saithe.

Five years later, I have forgotten the way I used to balance her on my belly when I’d pick her up, but we have a photo of that. She is far too heavy now for me to swing her above my head, but we have a photo of that. I had forgotten that she used to put her hand on my belly and in her tiny voice say “Baby Untew” because that was the only way she could say Hunter, but we have a photo of her hand on my belly and it reminded me of her little voice.

It is so easy to forget these little things as time goes on, but having these photos to look back on makes the sweetest memories pop back up. When I started looking at the photos again, I remembered just how COLD it was that day! Poor little Saithe was shivering not long after we arrived and we had to change her outfit to give her some more layers!

If you’re expecting another baby soon, I want to encourage you. Document this season that you’re in! Whether this will be your second child or your sixth, your family dynamic is about to change drastically. These Little Years go by so quickly, and it is so important to capture this time. Now that my kids are 6 and 4, they love looking back on the photos when they were little, and I’m sure that’s a trend that will continue as they grow. Leave me a comment below, what’s the one thing about your current season that you never want to forget?

For the photos of me and Saithe, all photo credit goes to the amazing Luke and Ashley Photography, circa 2018

It’s been almost five years since we took these photos and looking back now, I’m amazed at the emotions I’m feeling! Don’t let this season pass you by, let’s get a Mommy and Me session scheduled for you before your new baby arrives.