Just book it.

When I first started to fall in love with photography I was obsessed with perfection. I loved the perfect pose with the perfect smile with the perfect background. I was obsessed with how images looked. Fast forward three years. Add two babes to my life. & it’s just so different now. Life is moving at such a rapid pace. Everything is blurry. It changes every day. & I am learning to value such different things than I did before babies. Sure, perfect photography is nice. Everyone looking at the camera and smiling is nice. But these days, I care less about how images look and more about how they make me feel.

Back when I first read Deb’s post about the perfect time, I knew I needed to take it to heart. There never is a perfect time. Life isn’t perfect. It’s wild & crazy & busy–and beautiful. What do I want to remember about this crazy ride? That I forced four people to smile at the camera in stiff clothes until they got “the shot?” No. Not so much.  I want to remember it just as it is. Bare feet. Squishy-ness. Giggles. Sweetness. Love. & all the crazy too. I want to capture US. Just as we are.

Enter Kate. I first found her through Michele & knew she was someone special. She has a certain quiet grace about her. She is kind & smart. & crazy good behind the lens. I knew she’d be the right person to shoot my family right now. So we made plans. & she came. & we laughed. & we sweat. & I never even put on shoes.

It was perfect. MY version of perfect.

Albeit totally sleep deprived. Wearing jeans held together with a rubber band. & I forgot to put on my sweater. Whoops.

& Kate, as I sat watching the slideshow with tears rolling down my cheeks I was grateful. Grateful for YOU. You have given me such a precious gift that I will treasure for years. I can’t wait to plaster these all over my home. I don’t know where they are all going to go…but they mean the world to me. You’ve got a gift, girl! This is definitely not the last we’ll be seeing of each other. :) Thank you.

For more of Kate’s beautiful work & to see the rest of the images from this session in the slideshow, visit:

Kate L Photography

(currently booking in Rochester, NY & San Antonio, TX)

Hi! Hello! I am Shawna, the founder of Styleberry Blog. This creative corner of the internet has become a learning haven for moms and creatives, offering a warm and encouraging nudge to those who wish to be better and do better, but often don't know where to start. From Decorating to DIY to Diapers and Paleo-ish Dishes, I strive to make the complicated simple and empower women to take action beyond their personal comfort zone. I subscribe to the Shine Theory & so strongly believe that we shine when the women around us shine and mutual support—lifting up instead of tearing down--will always be the culture here. Are you in? I hope so! Beyond the computer, I run Styleberry Creative where I work with clients to create low fuss, high function spaces that are pretty and practical in San Antonio, Texas and beyond. I LOVE making a house a home. My own studs out renovation is now complete and I am now back to working with clients. Please don't hesitate to drop me a line if you'd like to work together! I hope you’ll join me on this fun new adventure! Xo.

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