Ashlie Behm

PHOTOGRAPHY

The Joy of Photographing Motherhood

Mom and child photos at portland photography studio

There is something uniquely special and oh so beautiful about photographing motherhood. While I’m not a mother yet, I very much look forward to the day I can take on that title. As a maternity, newborn, and family photographer in Portland, Oregon I have the great honor of being invited into some of the most charming spaces where I get to witness the raw beauty and authentic moments of motherhood. 

I absolutely adore watching mama’s interact with their kiddos during photo sessions. From those tiny little kisses on the cheek, to tender long hugs, feeling the immense amount of love in these spaces melts my heart more than I can put into words. Watching moms dote on their children is a beautiful sight. So too is watching little kids look up at their moms, necks craned, eyes wide and grinning. Giggling as they whisper sweet secrets into mom’s ear, bringing mom flowers they found growing up from the ground. There is so much sweetness to be found in the interactions between mother and child. 

I’ve heard many people talk about the hard days and the fact that motherhood is not always easy. And I totally get that. But as a portrait photographer who adores photographing motherhood, I feel so fortunate to witness the beauty of love between mother and child. The rawness and realness of that love affords me a different perspective than many. I get to document these beautiful moments where love abounds and everyone has the opportunity to just take a minute and let go of the next thing they need to do and just be present.  

For me, that is so incredibly powerful. 

It seriously gives me all the feels! I am incredibly grateful that I get to document women and their children throughout their motherhood journey. It’s a truly special vocation that I have been called to and I am so thankful to all of the families who have entrusted me to document their love stories. 

Recently, I asked moms on social media what motherhood meant to them and I just loved their responses: 

“Heart bursting love”

“Raw Mama Power in one shot. Celebrating Womanhood”

“A never-ending adventure”

“Beautiful, messy, hard AF, big emotions, all the love.”

“A love that is deeper than any ever known.” 

“Giving my kids the best life possible. Putting their needs before mine.”

“Having an extension of yourself walking around outside of yourself with all of the joy and fear that brings.”

“Motherhood is all the cliches: Long nights and short days. Ever changing and never knowing what the heck you are doing. A love that is deeper than any ever known.”

I love photographing Motherhood and documenting in the incredible love story between mother and child. Starting with a maternity photo session, when you’re waiting to meet your child for the first time. During a newborn session capturing all the little details of your new baby. Witnessing your little one discover the world at their one-year session. Or at a family photo session giving you a moment to just breathe, be present, and enjoy the stage your family is at right now.

I want to help you remember all of these amazing stages of your motherhood journey. As cliché as it is, it all goes by so fast. Before you know it they are 18 and getting ready to go off on their own adventure. Together we can document all of these milestones, so you will always have these memories to look back on.

Enjoy these photos of some recent Mama & Me photo sessions I did.

Mom and child photos at portland photography studio
Mama & Me photo session at a fresh and modern Portland Oregon photography studio
Motherhood photos in Portland photography studio
Mama and Me Photography in portland oregon
Motherhood photos in Portland photography studio
Mom and child photos at portland photography studio
Motherhood photos in Portland photography studio
Mom and child photos at portland photography studio
Mom and child photos at portland photography studio
Mama and Me Photography in portland oregon
Mama & Me photo session at a fresh and modern Portland Oregon photography studio
Motherhood photos in Portland photography studio
Mama & Me photo session at a fresh and modern Portland Oregon photography studio
Mama & Me photo session at a fresh and modern Portland Oregon photography studio

Ready to book your very own Mama & Me session? Fill out my contact form and let’s chat!

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