Around Our Clocks - 9am | Northern Virginia Family Photographer

Have I mentioned how glad I am that it's summer in Northern Virginia? The first few months of this year were a little rough for us (figuring out the best learning environment for our oldest), but we're doing much better now. Perhaps not least because we can just head outside and play in the dirt when tensions start running high.

Perhaps you've heard the adage that children are our greatest teachers? Some days I think I must have more to learn than most. I've heard this saying dozens of times since having my first kid, but it has never had much meaning for me until this year.  I guess I thought that lessons from children must be easy or obvious.  But this year's lessons haven't at all been a passive acceptance of simple concepts - for me, at least.  Though perhaps simple in retrospect, I've found in them all kinds of emotional baggage and more personal faults, shortcomings, and mistakes than I was interested in knowing about.  On my good days, I also realize I've found more acceptance, patience, and love - for myself and my family.

This sh*t is hard.  And if you're ever feeling like you're the only one who feels that way, know you're not alone.  My social media feeds are filled with beautiful images and sweet moments (ahem, like the ones here).  These are often my favorite ones to post in my own feed because sometimes I'm surprised that even in the midst of a chaotic day, sprinkled with meltdowns, pleading, or yelling (from all parties) - even on those days - we can still have moments like this. Because as imperfect as I am and as often as I fall short, my boys are wonderful examples of what it means to forgive, move on, and be utterly present in this moment of life. 

If you find yourself in need of parenting inspiration, I can't recommend enough the Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids resources.

This post is part of a collaborative documentary photography blog circle called Around Our Clocks. We're documenting a day in our life over the course of one year.  This month was 9am. Continue the circle by visiting Heather Tully to see her May image.

Nicole Sanchez Photography works with busy parents in Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland to create stress-free photo sessions that take all the loving, fun, and chaotic moments of family life to make beautiful photos and films that families will love looking at year after year.  Contact me today to start planning a custom photography experience that's perfect for your family.

The secret to a relaxed newborn session with two children | Northern Virginia Family Photographer

What's the secret to a stress-free newborn photography session at home with an older sibling? It's the secret to just about everything in life that involves children. Just take it easy. The moment you plan something is the moment one kid or the other will decide to do something completely out of the ordinary to throw you a curveball. It's Murphy's Law.  The bane of parents' existence, but it can make for a great session.

Children can easily sense when we're stressed. Even newborns. If often will make them more clingy (and whiny).  So if you're worried about everything going perfectly, that's a surefire way to ensure it will not. I'll go even further and say perfect isn't what you want anyway. Life with kids is messy and chaotic. Documenting it as it is, sweet and difficult moments alike, is where the goodness lies. That's where the moments we capture together will be ones you and your children look back on and remember, “that's how our life was.” And it was awesome.

I shared images from my in home maternity session with this Northern Virginia family just a few weeks ago. It was a joy to witness a bit of their journey to becoming a family of four.

The early days of life with a newborn can be a bit of a blur. Between lack of sleep and and seemingly endless routine of feeding and diaper changes and naps, the days may seem slow but they add up so quickly.  Before you know it weeks and months have gone by. So it's especially sweet for me to document those very first days, freezing moments that may otherwise be forgotten in the early days parenting haze.

Those days are extra sweet with an older sibling, though they're perhaps a little more chaotic. Nursing sessions are likely less quiet and relaxed and there's an almost constant need to enforce boundaries as a toddler learns the concept of gentle. On top of being exhausted, you've still got to come up with endless ways of entertaining an older sibling and helping them understand their new role as an older brother or sister.

It's a time of adjustment to a new family dynamic. There are new roles and expectations and some falling back into old rhythms. There's a lot of remembering what life was like the first time around and noting what's new the second time. It is hard and sweet. And so special to photograph.  But I'm probably biased. :-)  

Interested in an in-home newborn session?  Contact me today to learn more about a documentary session for your family. 
 

Getting Dads in Front of the Camera

I've written a lot recently about the importance of us moms getting into pictures with our children.  It's equally important, of course, for dads to get in the frame too!  In our family, this happens all the time since I'm so enthusiastic about documenting our family life. But in many families, Dad may be the family photographer.  Or perhaps Dad just isn't comfortable being in front of the camera.  In honor of Father's Day, here are some of my favorite pictures of awesome Dads in the picture with their kids.

Regardless of who might be the primary family photographer, I think both moms and dads can see the value in parents being in pictures with their kids when they look back on photos like these that show the connection, love, and devotion that is so special between parents and children.  One great thing about documentary, candid photography is that it takes the formality and discomfort out of family photos.  When all you have to do is what you'd be doing anyway - enjoying time with your family - you tend to forget about the camera and beautiful real life moments happen.

Having such visual reminders of these ordinary, but special moments months and years from now when our children have grown and changed so much helps us remember a time and place that, while gone, is just as meaningful as it was when we were living it.  As Rose Kennedy said, "Life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments."

It can be easy to underestimate how much the everyday matters, but when you have images that capture the love and connection of your family, you can easily remember the value of such time well spent.

I love documenting these moments for parents to look back on, but what makes my heart smile even more is thinking about the children having these moments documented to look back on. Moments they may have been too little to remember.  Moments that allow for glimpses into who they were from the very beginning. And glimpses into who their parents were when they were children and maybe too young to realize how special that time was.

Happy Father's Day to all the awesome Dad's out there young and old!

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Three Reasons to Get in the Picture, Mamas! | Northern VA, DC, and MD Documentary and Lifestyle Photographer

In honor of Mother's Day this weekend, I'm sharing a few of my favorite images of motherhood.  I'm also sharing three reasons why photographs are so important and why you should get in the frame with your kids.

1. We take photos of what is important to us.

People, events, moments.  The photographs that endure are those that remind us of something that is important.  Family, love, happiness.  These are all aspects of life that we don't want to forget.  We return to those photographs that help us remember what it was like to live in that moment - not only to cherish the past, but to remind us of what matters today.

2. Photographs send a message.

More than documenting these moments for ourselves, with photographs, we're sending a message to others, especially our children, that this is what matters to us.  Relationships with loved ones. Momentous occasions.  Daily activities that add up to a lifetime of memories. Seeing these images, especially in prints you can hold in your hands (more on that in a post to come!), speaks volumes.  Worth a thousand words, right? ;-)

3. Photographs are a part of our family history.

My mom is the historian in our family (thanks, Mama!) and I often tell her I wish we had pictures to go along with all the names and dates in our family tree.  I wish I could see what my ancestors looked like and have clues that give insight into who they were and what was important to them. My hope is that the images I take for my family and others' will become a part of our family stories, painting a more complete picture of where we came from and what mattered to us.

Taking pictures with our kids, not just of them, conveys how important they are to us and how dear we hold our relationship with them and our role as mother.  Documenting these aspects of our lives is not only important for them and for us, but for their children and for future family historians.

Young or old, the familial bond is one of the most enduring aspects of life.  So, now, whether your kids are 2, 20, or 62, go take a picture with them! And while you're at it, if you're fortunate enough to have the opportunity, take a picture with your Mom too!

And because it would be rude to ignore my own advice, here are a couple of recent favorites from my own moments in motherhood.  Happy Mother's Day!