I honestly don’t even know where to begin with these sessions. My heart...
Back in July of last year, I posted on social media asking for nominations and submissions from/for single parents. I created an online application with a few meaningful questions—one of them being: “What does being a single parent mean to you?” From the 40+ submissions I received, I read stories that expanded my heart and broke it all at once. I chose 10 of these families to receive a free photoshoot as my way to honor their strength and love.
During and after each session, I had moments of tearing up. Watching one of the little girls laugh hysterically with her mom melted me. Watching the dynamic some of the kids had with their mom—protective and deeply understanding—was beautiful. Seeing the necessary selflessness the role of a single parent requires made me so grateful I could give back. To give something to someone who pours themselves out day in and day out.
There are pages of things I could write, but the gist of it is this: I was the blessed one to be able to capture these sweet family sessions. It is an honor to be able to use my business to spread love and generosity—but equally an honor to learn from every person I encounter. Every family. Every couple. Every business. I love what I do, because I love people. And I hope that passion is evident in all of my work.
Below are some of the photos, along with a few beautifully raw submissions I wanted to share. If you happen to be a single parent reading these, know you are not alone. Know you are doing enough.
What Does Being A Single Parent Mean To You?:
“As a single parent, I am working hard to break and undo generational curses that haunt me. I’ve always been against the saying, “my child saved me”….until I had a child. My pregnancy, + inadvertently, my daughter, are the reason I was able to overcome a severe eating disorder, the reason that I quit drinking for good the first time around, the reason I try my best every day to be not only a good mom but, a good person too. However, I also work extremely hard to ensure that my daughter, at only 2 1/2 years old, doesn’t grow up carrying what I believe to be the burden of this, because that’s how I grew up. I think having a child and being a parent means raising your child to be better than you are & to have better than you did, it doesn’t have to be financially. If my daughter grows up remembering her childhood, all the times we’ve played together, all the times I was front row for her choir concerts & sports games, all the adventures we’ll have been on- then I will know that I have succeeded in being my own idea of a good parent. She is the embodiment of every good piece & part of me that ever existed; she is so silly & special, with the additions of her spunky, spicy side, all of which are what keep me going day to day.”
“As a single mother, I have been granted full custody of my two children. We made the decision to leave our home and a toxic environment behind in order to improve our lives. Despite the challenges, I have managed to succeed in the construction industry and provide for my children on my own. My daughter is set to graduate this year and both of my children have maintained a spot on the A honor roll. My son, who is 13, is a member of the boys traveling basketball team for Buffalo and has also achieved academic success. Additionally, I have been sober for almost four years. Being a single mother requires sacrifices, including putting one's own dreams on hold to ensure the happiness and success of one's children. It means working tirelessly and making difficult decisions to provide for them and give them the opportunities I never had. Leaving our beautiful home was a difficult decision, but it was necessary for our personal growth. Unfortunately, I have never been able to afford professional photography services, but this would be an incredible opportunity for us.”
“Being a single parent comes with a wave of emotions. It means a single income, playing the good cop and the bad cop, trying to be the disciplinary parent and the fun parent, the one who cooks the food & does the dishes, and so much more. But in those moments of the “not so glamorous” traits of being a single parent, I have learned to remind myself that it also means I get twice the hugs, twice the “i love yous”, I get to be the one my daughter runs to when she needs to cuddle or to celebrate an accomplishment with, I get to be her example of what a strong woman looks like and I get to love her with my entire heart. Being a single parent is hard, so hard, but it is also the most rewarding job in the world because at the end of the day I am doing it and I get to look at a tiny humans smiling face each night as proof.”
“I'm a single mom to a 13 year old boy and while it's the toughest most challenging thing I have ever done in my life I enjoy every minute of it and I'm thankful for every second I get to spend with my guy. He doesn't know it but he saved me, I was in a dark place in my life when I found out I was pregnant in 2010. Since then I have turned my life completely around. He has given me purpose and life. It's tough but all of the tears (obvious and silent), through all of the bumps and bruises and arguments, the late nights, and sick times we have made it. He has taught me to be a better person, to look at the world in a positive light. He's my guy, the one thing/person in my life who has stayed consistent. Him and always say "it's you and me, we're a team." It's hard to put into words what exactly being a single parent means to me because it means so much more than one or two things. It's my life, it's what I was meant to be.”
“I am a single mom to two beautiful teenagers. My youngest is entering her first year of high school and my oldest is onto his last year high school. Being a single mom has tested me in so many ways all while trying to be the best mom I can. I’ve questioned my worth, my sanity, and my ability to go through hard things while feeling alone and ensuring my kids feel loved. My kids have always been my driving force to be a better me and provide them with a loving home even if it looks different than a traditional family. It’s forced me to reconnect and deepen my faith. It’s made me value the quality of time I spend with my kids. With both my kids in highschool this school year, their childhood has flashed before my eyes. So many questions as a parent flood my mind. Where have the years gone? Have I guided them in the right direction to be kind humans, to make good decisions, to learn from their mistakes. Once we went from a family of 4 to just us 3, I stopped taking yearly family photos which meant no more Christmas cards to share with family and friends. I felt like we weren’t a “normal” family anymore and didn’t want to be reminded by photos that we were “broken” or feel the shame of being a single mom. I’ve been able to let go of the feeling of being normal or broken or having shame of being a single mom. I’m proud of being a single mom, I’m proud of the children I raised and watch transform into amazing young adults, I’m proud of the hard things we’ve gone thorough and overcome together. Your Facebook post pulled at my single mom heart strings reading it! So kind of you. Thank you for the consideration.”
If you’re looking for a family photographer in Minneapolis or the surrounding area—especially someone who sees the story behind the smile—I’d be honored to capture your family just as you are.
