courtney & her story mae

Early this year, I promised myself to continue investing in my education.
When Clickin Moms announced Courtney Larson's breakout was live, I knew I better start making good on that promise, and purchased it immediately. Reading through her words was beautiful and a little eerie, it was like I wrote them myself. I connected with her in a beautiful way.

So when it came time for me to get serious about writing my own breakout, I turned to Courtney for guidance. She was an open book, an enthusiastic supporter, and a gateway to a group of women who had been there too.

Then came Click Away.

I was the first presenter to arrive at check in (no really, I was! I was so excited that I just could not STAND IT!) and I took the elevator downstairs and waited to see a familiar face in the sea of excited women in the hotel lobby. I waited, and then I heard "Mae Burke" and this tiny little woman, a full head shorter than my 5'4" self, came up to me and greeted be with a big, tight, nursing booby sandwiched, hug. And it was the best.

Over the next few days, the women I got to hang out with were ones that Courtney fearlessly introduced me to, other women who had fallen in love with her online and at last year's event. This woman is respected and adored, y'all. What was beautiful about hanging out with her, and the other women who I now call "friend") was that after spending an entire day being "on", being "Mae Burke," we had no choice but to be completely ourselves. To completely unwind and accept each other's weird, artistic, loud, eager ways. It was God sent.

I wrapped up my weekend bartering sessions with Courtney. That woman is INCREDIBLY talented, and I kinda feel like I got the better end of the deal outta this whole thing. There are few times in my life that I can say it was as fun to be in front of her lens as it was for me to have her in front of mine.

A few days ago, Courtney had this to say after getting through my breakout
"Today has been a rough day. Like, a cry-it-out or eat-it-all sort of day. I have worked for a non-profit as a Communications Director for the past two years and today I decided that it just wasn't worth it.
See, I just had my third baby who will most likely be my last and my days away from them is HARD. I partially owe the balls it too...k to walk away to Mae's breakout, Moments in Motherhood. It may seem weird that a BO about photography could cause me to quit my job, but it really is soooo much more than just about photos or motherhood....or how they go together. Mae takes all of these milestone moments- maternity, birth, breastfeeding and family- and gives you her glimpse into it all. It's eye-candy and so inspiring!
Mae's heart for women oozed so much that it seemed like it was written for me or by me! Telling a woman's story is the goal in my business, but I crave to tell my own story too and I love that the exercises were geared around documenting my own life around me.
Yep, I am just a sappy puddle. Thank you, Mae, for reminding me how wonderful Motherhood is!"

I read this quote this morning, and after several light night talks at CA, and group texts and emails, I can't tell you how true it rings for me, and maybe her, right now.

"hat work of investing in others is actually just as important as the work we do for money. I now look at my mother’s work as a homemaker as well as her work as an artist, and I say, 'Those things are equal' – Anne-Marie Slaughter

Courtney, you mama, lover, artist, sassy little thing, you, you are gonna do big, BIG things. Your passion pours out all over the place and I am lucky to have experienced even some of the run-off in the past few months. Blessings on this next step towards what God has planned for you and your babies.

kerlyn & her boy

I met with sweet Kerlyn last month to document her son's birthday.
It was cloudy, and sticky, but this family made everything oh so sweeet.

Kerlyn, thank you so much for trusting me with these memories,

“From a young age I had dreams to be so many things, but I remember very distinctly one afternoon as pre-teen, my father asked me what I wanted to be. To which I replied, I wanted to be a mother more than anything. He didn’t think that as weird as I felt admitting it, he said it was an important job, and he greatly admired my mom and his mom.

During my pregnancy, I never felt that attachment like I thought I should. I loved my baby, but I felt ashamed for not enjoying my pregnancy. After he was born, he spent a couple days in the NICU and all the days ran together. I didn’t have a moment alone with him and I hadn’t yet had that connection. On top of the worry, I felt even more guilt. After being home, he still wouldn’t latch but I eventually was able to get him to nurse again, and I was so happy. I was finally able to enjoy a moment with my baby and the beginning of motherhood. I’ve experienced more emotions, and have learned to deal with my internal struggles differently as a mother. I feel like I am complete as a mom and wife, even if it’s never perfect, it’s my beautiful mess.

I first met Mae at one of her mini sessions, I wanted so badly to capture our breastfeeding journey in photos. Mae had this natural ability to make me feel comfortable and vulnerable enough to share my feelings and emotions of being a mother. When I received my photos I was beyond the moon, I loved them all. A few months after our mini session, my son developed a nipple preference and our nursing journey ended. I am forever thankful to Mae for capturing those moments in such a beautiful way, her talent shows in every photo.

When my son came up on his first birthday, I came to her again for our family photos and to capture the changes in our breastfeeding journey. I exclusively pump and she was so open and happy to get those moments for me. I am so glad I will have these memories to look at on my walls, to show the love I have for my baby and my husband, and to remind me that when the dishes aren’t done, when I’m lacking hours of sleep and when things aren’t so easy, THIS is what it all is for! She captures perfectly the way I feel about my family.”

When I Fall in Love

“When I fall in love, it will be forever.” Jane Austen now booking for the city of brotherly