“We may not have chosen our situation but we have the power to choose our perspective, and perspective is everything.”
– Barbara Hill
I’ve known Jess for quite a few years now and one trait, in particular, has always left me inspired by her: her grace. There’s something to be said about the pricelessness of a graceful woman, and more than near any soul I’ve ever met, Jess exhibits grace and strength in her life journey in a way that leaves me ever-inspired.
When she was a teenager, Jess was involved in a car accident that left the lower portion of her body paralyzed, leaving her unable to walk, much less participate in many experiences in life involving the use of her legs. I met Jess long after this accident occurred; however, as I have watched her endure several other life struggles and transitions, including a season of life as a single mother to two boys, I’ve always been profoundly inspired by her positive attitude, her encouraging words towards the growth and journey of those who may have slighted her, and her exhibition of sheer grace.
A while back when she’d told me about the gentleman she’d met and the ways his personality, love, and lifestyle seeped into and filled the vacant pieces of her own heart, I knew she’d likely found her match. After meeting Cameron and his two littles and seeing the bountiful ways in which their families have blended, I know without a shadow of a doubt that my girl is living her best life.
After many years of feeling compelled to photograph Jess and that graceful spirit, I’m so grateful that I was approached about doing so recently. I hope you enjoy viewing their session as much as I loved documenting it.
Cameron came into the marriage with two beautiful littles, as did Jess. They recently welcomed sweet Mila into the world, completing their perfectly blended family. I love how much all four of Mila’s older siblings adore her in their own ways. While the two younger boys, Orion and Anthony, are best at being little boys and playing amongst themselves at this age, I loved watching Mila’s eldest siblings, Geof and June, as they each requested a little alone time to love on her.
As you can imagine, a house of five littles contains A LOT of energy. This is another reason I love in-home sessions. These boys were having a ball and playing the entire time, making it so fun for me to capture their natural personalities and ages.
Jess also has impeccable taste in both style and home decor, as you can see. Head on over to my Insta, where I’ve tagged all of the cute boutiques she shopped at for the session!
I asked Jess to share with me a little about her sentiments towards her motherhood journey. This is what she had to say:
“Motherhood has been pure beautiful messy chaos. I am so thankful that these little ones chose me to be their mama in this life time. Watching them organically growing into the adults that they will one day become is such an honor. My heart is so full.”
As expected for any little boy, taking photos was not the most entertaining of things on Anthony’s agenda that day; nonetheless, it never fails that I get my most favorite photos of a session from the child most disinterested in participating. Perhaps it’s that I pay more attention to them in fear that I won’t get enough content, or perhaps its just that their natural, spunky personality shining through feels so organic — either way, I’ll take it.
Jess, thank you for allowing me to document + share a little of your home, heart, and story, and more so, all of the ways your existence brings light into this world. Here’s to the women around us that lift one another up, push them to test their boundaries, and create the legacies they want for themselves…
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