The Pivot
A theme that keeps coming up again and again in my world is "the pivot". We as humans, and especially as women & mothers, need to get really good at this if we are to survive and thrive. And I think the first time (as adults) we really come face to face with this is at the birth of our first child. We often have perfected in our minds what we think/hope our birth will be like, what it will feel like, what immediate postpartum will be like.....and more often than not nothing usually goes as we planned. I most definitely experienced this firsthand with my own birth experience!
I get to experience this time and time again, now from a different perspective, as I accompany the birthing person and their family throughout the birth process. Even though I'm not usually their "for real" Doula (I only provide "Doula light" support now at births as their Birth Photographer if they need some extra support and guidance if they don't have a Doula, and am happy to share wisdom and resources as we work together throughout our journey leading up to birth, but my back and body has said "NOPE" to the more intense support at this point in my career).
Within the last few months, I have seen every.single.mom PIVOT. Some harder than others.
There was the Mom who had planned for a c-section, who then had a precipitous labor and almost birthed by herself in the car on the way back from a road trip.
And the mom who was sure baby #2 was going to come early and fast, quite possibly while I was away on vacation in December, but then went past her due date this time around, had an extended pushing phase, and birthed in the tiniest, darkest room of her quite large home instead of having a water birth as she had hoped.
Then there is the 4th time Mom who planned for a beautiful waterbirth in the midwife's tub that was larger and more comfortable than her own bathroom tub at home.....and guess where she ended up birthing?
Then the first time Mom who had planned out all the things and switched providers a few times to accommodate her wishes and find a way to have BOTH her Doula AND her Birth Photographer at the hospital...who then found out her baby might need immediate "help" right after birth so she had to birth in a location that would not allow ANY "visitors" or support people other than the baby's father. So, none of us was able to attend her birth and we had to "pivot" and do a beautiful, in-home newborn session.
All of us need to pivot. All the time. It's harder for the big things, but it's a skill we get to practice every day of our lives, multiple times a day. The less we dig our heels in the ground and go with the flow (I knooooow, easier said than done.....but the more you practice, the better you get!), the less resistance we get, and the quicker the pivot is achieved. And if you look carefully, you will always find, there is always a lesson in the pivot.
In other January/February news...
I got to spend some time with this beautiful couple doing a creative sunset couples' session. I love creative sessions because the creative director in me gets to call ALL the shots and come up with a cohesive storyline, wardrobe, location, etc. And these 2 youngsters were adorable and just the sweetest couple to work with.
One year ago...
As an artist, I often look back to one year ago, two years ago, and see what I've been photographing and what has changed in my approach, technique, and editing style. Because I am a work in progress. I aim to learn and grow and shift and evolve and improve my craft. Artwork is never static, always evolving. That, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE to keep in touch with my families and see how much their kiddos have grown in a year! So if I have photographed you or your family in the last year.....send me an update and a cell phone snap so I can see you today!
NEXT UP: Preparing for Mother's Day
I will have a special offering for Mother's Day for my Motherhood EmPOWERment sessions....so be on the lookout, and if you're interested in first dibs, click on this right here so I can put you on the top of my list to reach out to once the offer is ready. I am also toying with trying to come up with a "VIP" offer for 5 mamas that may want this same offer but at a beautifully curated location, with a beautiful tub/shower option, where not only do you get beautiful, intimate portraits made, but you can hang out in a beautiful, safe space, and have a glass of wine and a treat afterwards. A chance to get away from home and family and just take some time for YOU! You deserve this, my friend. If this option interests you.... let me know right away! It will most likely take place on a Saturday or Sunday in late March or early April. Email me at martha@zenmamalove.com if you're interested and I'll put you on that list, and I will try to put feelers out to see if I can find the right location locally so we can make this happen. If I have enough interest, I'm certain we can!
I look forward to bringing you more amazing photos from then and now, client work AND creative work, in keeping you in the loop of what I'm working on and planning in the future, and providing education and BTS info on life, birth, photography, and all things motherhood.
Are you interested in working with me on some portraits, a super outside of the box creative session, or an updated family session? Let's chat!