For many photographers, the natural progression once you’ve been running a business for several years, is to begin capturing weddings. This never felt like the right direction for me and I couldn’t pin point why. So, just over a year ago, I began to really ask myself some deeper questions about the WHY of running Brooke Leigh Photography and where I saw my business headed.
On a whim one day, I filmed an instagram story of working out in my bedroom with Judah at my feet, mimicking my workout moves. I shared something in the caption about struggling with postpartum depression and losing sight of my identity as a first time Momma.
I went on to explain that something I’ve learned along my journey as a Momma, is that to find my way back to who God made me to be, I had to be willing to invite my kids into the activities and experiences that I LOVE. Working out being one of these.
Later that day, a client (now turned friend), reached out and shared that she connected deeply with my post. She explained that she had been struggling with some depression since welcoming her babies and that everything I described was what she had been feeling. That loss of self and wondering if she would find her way back.
And suddenly, it was as if a light bulb turned on in my head. That one single message from my sweet friend changed everything.
There’s a quote I love that says, “Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because the world needs more people who have come alive.” (Howard Thurman)
When I really stop to ask myself, “What makes my heart come alive?”, the answer is really very simple.
What makes my heart come alive is loving on Mommas the way I desperately needed to be loved on in my earliest days of Motherhood.
Pouring into other Mommas so that they never feel as though they’re on this journey alone.
Investing in other Mommas so that they feel seen and known, even on their hardest and loneliest days of Motherhood.
These are loss Mommas, newly expecting Mommas and postpartum Mommas.
These are the seasoned Mommas who I have a camaraderie with because we’ve been put through the ringer for years and are starting to gain our evidence in little crows feet emerging along the sides of our tired eyes.
And, these are older Mommas who have gone ahead of me and just need the reminder that they are still relevant and that their wisdom and experience is valued and needed.
I just really, really love Mommas. And I love their babies too.
So earlier this past fall, I began to incorporate a new monthly offering into my business plan…
Monthly Motherhood Milestone Minis.
Whew. Trying saying that five times fast. If anyone has a better idea for what I can call these, I’ll send you a Starbucks gift card in the mail as a thank you. 🙂
Milestone Motherhood Minis are offered monthly at Studio Neue in Plymouth, Michigan. A Motherhood Mini is an opportunity to celebrate any of your great milestones as a Momma.
These 20-25 minute sessions could be used to document a pregnancy announcement or your baby’s gender reveal. We can capture you with your bump if you want a short and sweet maternity session. We can document your baby in his or her earliest days as a tiny newborn, or at 3, 6 or 9 months to document the changes that take place during their first year.
We can celebrate your baby’s 1st birthday together with balloons and a smash cake! These are honestly some of my absolute favorite sessions. I know as a Momma of four, just how BIG of a milestone it is to make it to ONE year with your baby. I get so much joy out of celebrating 1st birthday milestone session with the families. And, the babies really, really love their cake which comes from a local Plymouth Michigan bakery.
I’m currently looking for Mommas who would be willing to be part of a model call specifically for a confetti gender reveal. So if you are newly expecting and are interested in capturing your gender reveal with me in studio, please email me at Brookeleighphotographer@gmail.com.
Right now I’m booking Motherhood Milestone Mini Sessions for February and March and am planning an extra special motherhood celebration for April in honor of Mother’s Day.
If you have a special motherhood milestone coming up, I would absolutely love to celebrate with you.
You can book Studio Neue February session here. A March session can be booked here.
If you have any questions whatsoever, please feel free to reach out via email.
And, as always, I’m an open book when it comes to my motherhood journey. So if you’ve connected with any of my story and want to talk about loss, postpartum or just need a new friend, I’m your girl. 🙂
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