Evansville Newborn Photographer | Evansville Family Photographer
I’ve been offering Mommy & Me Mini Sessions in Newburgh, Indiana for over a decade now. In honor of Mother’s Day, I wanted to spotlight some of the incredible mothers I had the opportunity to work with this year. They are all such amazing mamas and I wanted to share their advice and insight into motherhood. Over the next 10 days I will be sharing a couple mothers, their images and their advice, every day on socials and the blog. My hope is that new and existing moms can either gather advice or feel a little less alone in this crazy thing called motherhood.
MARLEE
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
3 girls, ages 5, 2, and 6 months
What is the best part of motherhood?
Having an unconditional bond with each child. Watching them grow and evolve throughout different stages, and seeing the world through their eyes is so special.
What is the hardest part of motherhood?
How fast they grow up and leave stages behind. It really is true when they say the days are long but the years are short.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received about parenting?
Let go of perfection, especially around the house. Accept help. Embrace the chaos and always live in the present moment.
If you could give a new mother one piece of advice, what would it be?
Enjoy every single minute, even during the hard days and nights. Take lots of pictures and videos, even on the hard days. You’ll always cherish looking back at those memories.
LAURA
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
I have two daughters. Eliza is 10 years old and Ella is 7 years old.
What is the best part of motherhood?
The best part of motherhood is seeing life through my children’s eyes. Things that once felt ordinary and overlooked are now filled with laughter, curiosity, and wonder. The moment each of my babies was placed in my arms, my heart expanded in ways I never knew were possible.
It’s an immense, all-consuming love—the kind where I know I’d stand in front of anything for them—something truly indescribable. And the way they look for me in a crowd, come to me for comfort, or run to share something good that happened—even come to me to tattle or to fix something for them (not so much the requests to throw their trash away)—those are the moments that make it all so deeply rewarding.
Watching them grow into who they are, gaining confidence in every stage of life, is just as special. Being their momma is my greatest joy in life.
What is the hardest part about being a mother?
The hardest part of being a mother—especially as a working mom in a stressful career—is finding a balance that allows me to be as present as I can for my kids while still maintaining my career. It’s hard not just when I can’t be with them physically, but when I am with them and my mind is pulled somewhere else. Setting boundaries with work so I can be the mom I want to be is a constant, never-ending balancing act.
It’s also hard watching them go through life’s growing pains and hurt feelings, knowing I can’t always fix it for them. And not having clear answers to their questions about why the world is the way it is—while still wanting them to feel confident, safe, and free in it—is one of the hardest things to navigate.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received about parenting?
Best advice I’ve received as a mother is to apologize to your kids when you’re wrong. I once read that the way you talk to and treat your children is what will feel like home to them in their future relationships, and that has really stuck with me. It’s made me more aware of what I’m modeling every day.
And on a much lighter note—avoid Velcro bibs. They stick to everything in the dryer and will make the rest of your laundry look dingy.
If you could give a new mother one piece of advice, what would it be?
A piece of advice for a new mom—give yourself grace. You don’t have to be perfect to be an amazing mom, and it’s important for your kids to see how you respond when things aren’t perfect. Lean on your village when you need to, let people help when they offer, and take those moments to reset.
I try to live by “I’m glad we did” instead of “I wish we would have.” If you can, take the trips, make the memories, and spend the time together—those are the moments that matter most.
Work to live, don’t live to work. Life is too short.
JENNAH
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
1, 4 years old
What is the best part of motherhood?
Watching a whole person unfold in front of you and realizing you get a front-row seat to who they’re becoming. The small, ordinary moments end up meaning the most… the way they laugh, what they say when they’re half-asleep, how they see the world without filters.
The snuggles… the “I love you mommy”, and as a boy mom, when he picks me flowers every time we go outside.
What is the hardest part about being a mother?
The lack of sleep at first.. then the mental load, the constant pull in every direction…wanting to be fully present, while also carrying everything else that needs your attention. And the pressure you put on yourself to get it “right,” knowing how much it all matters.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received about parenting?
Whether it was ever said or just unsaid, the fact that you don’t have to be perfect just consistent, present, and loving. shifting your my mindset from trying to control every outcome to focusing on showing up in a way that feels steady and safe. And always apologize and reflect when you make a mistakes/when you lose your cool with your kid!
If you could give a new mother one piece of advice, what would it be?
It’s okay to wish parts of it away. Some stages are just hard and wanting to move through them doesn’t mean you’re not grateful or that you don’t love your child deeply. Two things can be true at once: you can want time to slow down and also want relief from the hard. That’s not failure…that’s being human.
If you’re wanting to book a session, please email me at exhalephotography@yahoo.com or use the contact page up top. I am happy to answer any questions you may have. It is best to book your session several months in advance (as spots fill very quickly).
My website can be found HERE My Facebook can be found HERE My Instagram can be found HERE
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