Get in the Picture This Mother’s Day

Getting in the picture can be difficult when you are typically the one behind the lens.

That is why I decided to celebrate this Mother’s Day by letting someone else get behind the lens! Last week I did a Mommy & Me session with Deanne Dunlop Photography.

First, I talked with Deanne on the phone to set up the session, and she was so kind and easy-going. She invited me to visit her studio in advance for a consultation.  As a mom herself, she really seemed to understand my family dynamics and offered some great advice, “relax and have fun”.

I chose to bring my kids to the consultation because I thought it would make them feel more comfortable with their surroundings. Not only did I want to feel relaxed, but I wanted them to feel comfortable, too, so that we could help Deanne capture the perfect shot to represent our relationship. She really meant it when she said she did not want me to be stressed, so I took that to heart.  During the consultation, we discussed how the session would go, what we would wear, and Deanne just got to know us a little. The best thing about visiting the studio in advance was that Deanne was able to share examples of fun products and ideas for how we might display our images from the session.

Deanne also shared with me the story behind The Legacy Project. Deanne lost her mother when she was just 20 years old and she realized she did not have a single portrait of them together. This has given her the heart to capture that sweet and tender relationship for other parents with their children.

I left the consultation with an appointment for a session during a time when both of my kids would feel well-rested. Feeling somewhat confident that it would go smoothly, I was surprised when things did not quite go as planned.  Henry was very well-rested but was in a “funk” of some kind when we arrived to Deanne’s beautiful studio. He was ridiculously clingy, but Deanne pulled out her camera and worked with what she had, a fussy baby and a mom who was trying not to be stressed. It helped me that Deanne just went with the flow and never seemed stressed, assuring me we could always re-shoot if necessary. I am amazed by her talent! Did not expect to get images like this!

Lainey’s turn came next and she was not super compliant, so I was still wondering if I was just wasting everyone’s time. I wasn’t. I love my images from the session, and I will enjoy having these pictures on my walls for a lifetime! Most importantly, I am glad that these moments were captured for my children, that they can look at the prints and see how very much I love them!

If you are like me and want to celebrate being a mom this Mother’s Day, consider booking a session with Deanne Dunlop. Schedule a $99 Mommy & Me mini session for yourself; or Host a Mommy & Me Play Date at your house, the beach or a park with three of your friends ($99 each) and as the hostess your session and print package is free. Portrait package includes four 5×7 prints plus facebook files. For more details, visit Deanne’s Blog. Also consider booking a family session but including a little Mommy & Me time to get specific images like this!

Thank you Deanne Dunlop Photography for sponsoring this post and taking beautiful pictures of me and my kids. All opinions are still my own.