Before every session I ask my mamas "Ok, you say to yourself, 'I've got a session with Mae Burke, I need to make sure I have *this* picture.' Now, what comes to mind?" Over the years the responses I've received have changed from "Well there's this one I saw on Pinterest" to "...Just me loving on my babies!" It means something different to every single mom, but somehow universally the same.
Excited to keep shooting in today's soft grey skies and surging tides
Nearly three years ago I met this mama in Fort Worth to photograph her and her sweet, newly one year old little girl, Alice.You can imagine my excitement when she contacted me wanting to make the long trek from Fort Worth to Rockport in honor of her second daughter, Hilde, turning one.
From Bethany:
" All my life, I knew I wanted to be a mother. But I didn't know I would have to fight to become one. Once I became pregnant, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. But I didnt know I would have to fight for that too.
I fought to conceive both children with tons of supplements, diet changes, hormone panels, chiropractic care, and even acupuncture. I fought fiercly with both children to breastfeed, my younger much much more than my older. Through therapies, tie corrections, pumping, LC help, and overwhelming support, both of them received exclusive breastmilk until six months and nursed to a year+.
I fully intend on making sure they both know how much I worked for them. Not for guilt, never for guilt. But so they have instilled in them that what they want, what they know is right, is worth fighting for. You have to fight for it. You have to put in your whole self and face it with a calm heart despite any and all pushback. Giving up is not an option as long as there is the slightest glimmer of hope. As females, they must face most all things in this world with this stance. They must know that everyone will expect them to give up or fail, because girls 'aren't supposed' to have the same perseverance and tenacity as boys.
Like so many other mamas, I will one day release my tiny, amazing daughters into the world as grown women. I can only hope and pray that what I've taught them stays with them."
Thank you for sharing your darling, fair hair haired little ladies with me over the years, Bethany. I look to many, many more beautiful moments in your motherhood journey <3
Being a photographer gifts me with all sorts of opportunities. Those of you who don't know anything about Rockport (Other than, "Oh yeah, I got a buddy who goes fishin' down there") should know that our nickname is "Charm of the Texas Coast." It's a small beach community that loves the local artist. Tons of retired artists come here to nest. You need no more proof than walking down Austin Street Station. Gallery after gallery of local artists with their best work on display for locals and tourists to enjoy. One of these prolific galleries is Estelle Stair Gallery. I'm sure you can imagine my excitement when one of the gallery's employees contacted me for a family session - IN THE GALLERY. She has two girls, Elsa and Violet, who were bubbly and giggly and everything feisty that little girls are. Jennifer and her husband were patient and loving and unbelievably sweet with their girls. They booked a mini session, but I ended up with over thirty images in their final proofing gallery. I cannot tell you how much I loved photographing this family. Thank you, Shatraws, for allowing me a peek into your family's love!
From the mama: "I can't thank you enough for taking such wonderful photos of our family. When I looked around my house, I realized that all of my photos are old...these kids are growing fast and I must keep up with them in the photo department! I'm just so glad I can remember these moments with your beautiful images. Truly, Mae, you really have done an amazing job. I appreciate your sweetness and hope to be able to make a habit out of putting your images on our mantle.
*Rockport/Coastal Bend families* I have ONE session left for the remainder of the year! Email me at maeburkephoto@gmail.com to get on the schedule!
