Some of my favorite sessions tell the story of a family's "normal" Saturday.
When you think of a typical Saturday in your life (or whatever day your family is all together), you probably think of the food you have to make, the errands you run, the cleaning you do, the trips to the park to get your kids' energy out, the shuffling of kids to different sports, relaxing at home, and every other thing that happens that seems so...bland.
Allow me to shed some light on that for you.
The reason we think what we do is bland is because we're thinking of it from our own perspectives. What's exciting about breakfast, getting ready for the day, playing outside, trips to the library, and our kids making messes? (Raise your hand if you read those things and automatically feel anxiety because what they really say is: "lots of work for Mom.")
There's a problem with our perspectives, though. They're tainted.
As adults we don't typically look at the things that happen repeatedly in our lives and grow excited. I have yet to meet a Michigander that is just as excited about a snowstorm in late April as they were at the first snowfall of winter. Yet every time it snows (even today, on the first day of March), my kids squeal and talk about how beautiful the snow is and how they can't wait to play in it. Every. Time.
Through my own experiences as a mother and through my work, I've learned that life is so much more special, more magical, and more meaningful when it's viewed through a child's eyes. So when I talk with clients and meet with them to plan their session, I think and ask about the perspectives of their children. We talk about how their children might identify themselves once they're older and what memories they'll carry with them from their childhood. We plan their session according to what makes the entire family tick, but I tend to focus on those "mundane" activities and tasks because for our kids, they're pivotal moments. And after the session, the parents almost always realize that those moments are pivotal for them, too.
This family's Saturday session is one of my favorites. I showed up just after everyone had eaten and gotten ready for the day. We had decided beforehand to photograph something that happens weekly in this family's home. But I'll let Mom, and the photos, tell the story for me.
"Saturdays are the days my daughter gets her hair washed and styled. I love this time. My husband will usually cut my son's hair. I just love watching his face when he sees the cool style Daddy did for him! Saturdays are definitely my favorite; the only day where chaos doesn't seem to exist."
Everything we do speaks to and shapes our kids. When we let them crack eggs into the pancake batter, we are telling them that we have confidence in them and that they are wanted. When we help them with a Science project, we are telling them that we care about their success and that we are there to support them. When we take time to wash, style, and cut their hair, we are telling them that they are important, they are loved, they are beautiful (or handsome), and they are cherished. All of these normal things that so many families all over the world do make our children who they are. (How empowering is that?!)