Pancakes. A breakfast staple in the homes of so many American families.
For this family, pancakes serve an even greater purpose than filling up bellies on a Sunday morning.
Baking together is a big part of their life; from croissants to homemade breads and pastas, it's safe to say that this (gorgeous!) kitchen island gets more love than any other piece of furniture in their house. And not just because it's the platform they use to prepare those delicious things.
It's because it's also the platform they use to bond, to grow together, to love on one another. It's the platform they use to build their children's character, memory banks, and hearts.
All of those deeply significant things happen while five humans scoop flour, crack eggs, and heat skillets. And while all of that measuring and mixing is happening, you can see their personalities and the bond they share.
Never have pancakes been so beautiful <3
Before their session, I asked the momma in the photos above why she wanted to invite me into their home to tell their family's story. This is what she said:
"It's a desire to capture our real life. This season is hectic and frustrating and often feels as if 'life is nothing more than a quick succession of busy nothings' (Franny Price, by Jane Austen) and we'd like to have something that captures where we were. A reflection of the blink-and-you-miss-it moments that make up this season, so that when the kids are older and quite grown up we can look back with fondness on the bond we were building and the joy we did have - even in the midst of sleepless nights, ever-changing schedules, and a house that was not our final home."
It's worth reading twice. No, really. Go read it again.
It is the exact reason I believe everyone should have a documentary session. This isn't about anything other than those blink-and-you-miss-it moments that when woven together make up your beautiful story. <3