Associate Shooting for Elena S. Blair Photography

I was excited to photograph Jayme and her family as soon as I read her questionnaire. I would tell that she was the open-hearted kind of mom I treasure. This might have something to do with the fact that I am an open book. I share openly about my infertility journey, depressive history, anxiety issues. Maybe I love other people’s willingness to share because I am nosy or even a little bit of a voyeur. I mean, I think so many of us are-hence the popularity of Instagram! Jayme shared her birth story and huge medical complications following Ezra’s entrance into the world as an explanation of why she so wanted this time documented.

I get it! Surviving illness, adoption, infertility, postpartum depression, loss, and even just the daily highs and lows of motherhood deserve documenting. To remember you are a fighter, a lover, a parent. To celebrate the triumph, the sweet times, the rewards of it all. That is what I strive for. That is why I seek out authentic moments. I love photographs that show you and your family distilled down to who you are. Unmasked might be the right way to describe it. I hope that families and mothers come my way wanting to see their smiles and love, but also wanting to see their moments of stillness, moments of struggle, and moments of searching. When I see photographs of myself with Rufus, I want to remember how hard we laughed, how strong we loved, how hard we fought for a beautiful life. These photographs are not only memories for me, but can be encouragement on the difficult days.

Most importantly, it is such a lovely thing to see yourself in your photos. Your ever shifting role in parenting, your ever changing self, traveling through life. After this session Jayme sent me the following words. This means everything to me.

Photographed by Chelsea Macor for Elena S. Blair Photography