How to Find Calm Within the Chaos

While I'm photographing, it is a rare occasion when everything lines up perfectly. And honestly, I wouldn't want it to. Those would make for some very boring pictures. I'm not a "smile for the camera" photographer. I go for the beautiful mess. This photo above was taken when my kids were a bit younger. I love how when I look at this photo I can feel like I'm running in circles with them! Can't you just feel the pull into their world? As a photographer and as a mom, I try to ground myself in the movement and light and energy ~ not the never-ending out of reach perfection that can sometimes haunt us all. No Pinterest perfect for me, thank you.

My approach to photography is much like my approach to parenting. I go in with a loose idea of how the session / day will unfold but I'm always open to going off course and capturing the beauty that is right in front of me. Whether you want to get better at documenting your kids through photography or just simply finding a way to enjoy those little moments more, I will share a few things I've learned that have helped me do both naturally.

Catch Them When They Aren't Looking

Whether you have a camera in hand or not, catch them when they aren't looking! This applies to people at any age. What can you observe today when someone is absorbed in something? How does the light trace their features? How does the wind move their hair? Are they humming, or thinking, or trying hard to get something to work? These moments when people are just being people and aren't asked to "perform" are magic.

Get Closer to the Ground The perspective down low from a photographers standpoint invites the viewer in. So when you look back years from now, you can feel like you are there. Who doesn't feel like time goes too fast? Take some pictures today, even if they are just on your phone, crouching low. Then take the same scene from standing up. Compare. When you are playing with your kids same applies. When do you feel more connected ~ when you are sitting at a distance or standing arms crossed with one foot out the door ~ or when you are in the same space as they are, seeing the world as they do?

Mini-Meditations

When I'm photographing, the last thing you'd think I'd be doing is meditating, right? But surprise, I do mini-meditations ALL the time, even when I'm taking pictures at YOUR session! When we think of meditating, we often think we need a quiet space where we will be undisturbed. Which is why many of us often fail to do it. Don't get me wrong, if you can, find time to do that too. But what if I shared with you a few secret ways to effortlessly mediate on the go? Definition of Meditation: "focusing ones thoughts on something to understand it deeply".

If you are outside, find something that catches your eye. For me, it's hawks and light. Both shift and move in ways that give me a little bit of zen. Do you like the way the trees are moving in the wind or maybe the winding lines of the cracks on the road you are walking along? Take a moment to really pay attention to something - really look - then bring it back to your breath. Congratulations, you've just found calm with the chaos. Other ways to pause, because grounding ourselves allows us to be more present as a whole, can be super simple too. Sip a warm drink (this can even be a really good cup of coffee) mindfully. Wear a necklace or carry a talisman of some sort that you can put your hands to as a reminder to slow down. Stack a few rocks as high as you can as the kids play outside. Anytime you focus on something other than your list of things to do or your most recent worries you give yourself a chance to find calm.

As a photographer I have to stay present in each session, in order to seek out the little moments that might go unnoticed otherwise. Mini-meditations help immensely.

These are things that have helped me. Hope they resonate with you. xxoo Jessica