A Little Bit of Personal

In fair warning, this blog has taken me several months to write.  Every day, I would attempt to begin it.  I would think about it.  I would consider exactly what I wanted to say and how much I wanted to divulge.   My intention in writing this is to clear up some confusion on the part of what genres of photography I actually photograph.

A few clients have come to me over the past few years and I fear that I have confused them. I've made decisions in my business that have created a very ambiguous culture of what exactly I choose to photograph... but it was a stupid act of self-preservation that was completely misguided.

As a child, I dreamed of being a mother.  I would tell anyone who would listen that I wanted 20 children- ten of my own and ten adopted.  In second grade, our school had us all create real books with an “about the author” section in which mine stated that when I grew up I wanted to be a mother.

It seems that if you are a mother, you're part of this unspoken club of amazing women who are raising these incredible little humans.  If you're barren, or have made the choice to remain childless, then there is something wrong with you and you can only stand on the sidelines of life watching the Mommy Club carry out the essential task of making and raising the next generation.

I call BS.

For many years I told myself that choosing not to photograph families and children was because I just didn't get children.   Such a complete lie.  This year, I have embarked on some soul searching in my sessions to take myself back to the types of sessions that helped me create Munro Photography into what it has become today. Families. Newborns. Children. Weddings. Couples. Joy.

I have struggled with fertility for over eight years.  Perhaps longer, but I shall spare you the details.  This lie I was telling myself that I didn't like children, didn't understand children, wasn't good at photographing children... it has been a direct result of dealing with infertility. 

Wow, that feels amazing to admit.  Fertility does not make me a better person nor does not make me a lesser person.  The only thing I have control over is my attitude about it- and that is what makes me the person that I am.

I am learning to truly, deeply, wholeheartedly be okay with my path in life regardless of whether that will involve children of my own. This is not something I hide- I'm actually rather candid about it when the issues are brought up- and I never want my clients to think that I don't want to photograph every amazing moment in their lives.

I care about you. I love seeing your joy.

I'm officially proclaiming that I WANT to be there for those happy moments.  Those new little humans being welcomed into the world.  Those tiny hands and feet clutching at their parents in love and complete trust.  Those little whispers of love between parents as their children play around them. I want to photograph life.  All facets of it. 

Dealing with fertility, I feel, has given me a much more emotional connection to these types of sessions.  Being able to feel the emotional moments with such intensity allows me to really create something meaningful, and THAT is nothing to be scared of.

This year of reckoning, of soul searching and personal growth, has led me back to my desire to photograph everything that brings joy in people's lives.  I have witnessed the birth of one of my best friend's babies, photographed a few newborns in the studio, and spent some time dreaming up maternity and special moments.  In doing this, I have learned to acknowledge that I was distancing myself from these types of sessions rather than just absorbing the complete joy of these people.  I want to share in your joys, as much as I want others to share in my joys.

If you're struggling with fertility issues, I encourage you to reach out for support.   Having children is a complete blessing, to be sure, but a greater blessing is love for yourself and a knowledge that you are amazing and worthy of happiness whether you are a parent or not.

I have announced an amazing deal on fall mini-sessions complete with some digital file selections- whether you're a family of two with furbabies, or a family of ten, these mini sessions are for you.

ALSO, I want to extend another amazing deal for those expecting new little ones. For every booked newborn session, I would love to include a maternity mini-session good for any open date AND a complimentary set of 25 custom designed newborn announcement cards! Let me use my passion and talents to help you in celebrating and sharing your happiness. Lets make some magic. I am thankful to those who have trusted me in photographing their families, weddings, portraits, and so on- I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us!