Capturing Aidan

Capturing Aidan

How becoming a mom made me a better photographer.

I love taking pictures of children, always have. But having my own has really changed how I photograph them.

When I started photographing families I would a lot of times wait for that moment. When everyone would smile and look at the camera. Of course I quickly realized that that moment is hard to get when you have little kids.

When I took the image above I realized that the moments between were almost as good if not better than the posed ones. For me at least. This still remains one of my favorite images that I have taken.

Even when I realized this I was still going for the cute posed images I assumed parents wanted. But of course with kids that doesn't always happen.

When I was pregnant with Aidan I had a Pinterest board filled with images that I was sure I was going to capture. And after he was born all of that changed. Because I was nervous and tense he of course wouldn't relax. It didn't help that he was very alert too and didn't sleep much when put down.

The only good images I got of him were at my moms house when she helped me. No matter what I tried I couldn't get him to do what I wanted on my own.

The newborn session I did after I had Aidan I approached completely different. Of course I was more comfortable handling a newborn but I was also more patient and let him run the session. He was cranky in the beginning and didn't want to do the shot we wanted to get so we moved on.  He was fed and did some pictures with his mom and sister. He fell asleep and we got the images we originally wanted and it was amazing!

I want my photography to be more than just images. I want them to be moments in time. Whether they are posed or not, I want them to capture the people as they are then. Children change so much. Aidan has changed so much.I've really realized how important those images I have of him are. It really the only proof I have of who he was then. His short hair, his tiny fingers and toes, his blue eyes that have now changed, and the many expressions he does. So many of my images are just for those hilarious expressions.

My favorite images of Aidan are the ones where he's silly or goofing around. The one's that really show his personality.

I feel like you can get beautiful images while really showing who your child is. 

Aidan has taught me so many things and I am a much better person now that he is in my life.

I cant really put in to words how amazing having a child is, but I'm pretty sure parents reading this are smiling and totally agree. Children are amazing!