A Mother's Reflection
Motherhood has been a journey of self-discovery for me, one that has transformed not only how I see the world but also how I see myself. Recently, I created a self-portrait that represents finding my center—where I feel most calm, peaceful, and present. It’s a reminder that amidst the chaos of life, there is always a quiet place within me that I can return to.
This journey started with the birth of my first son. I remember being overwhelmed with emotion in those early days, as all new mothers are. One particular moment stands out to me: when the nurse came to our home two days after he was born to do a routine blood test on his tiny feet. Watching her prick his delicate skin and seeing the small drop of blood brought tears to my eyes. It was just a routine procedure, but in that moment, I felt such guilt. I questioned if I had brought him into a world where he would face pain and suffering, even from something so small. My heart ached in ways I never thought possible.
Looking back, I realised that it wasn’t just about the blood test. It was about the weight of responsibility that motherhood brings. I was holding this fragile little life in my hands, and I knew that I would be the one guiding him through the joys and challenges of life. That moment marked the beginning of my transformation—not just as a mother, but as a person.
As the years passed and we welcomed our second son, I began to reflect more on who I was beyond the roles I played—mother, wife, daughter. I realised that, as much as I was dedicated to caring for my family, I also needed to care for myself. Motherhood had opened the door to a deeper journey of self-discovery, helping me reconnect with my true self, the part of me that had been there all along but sometimes got lost in the busyness of life.
This self-portrait is a reflection of that journey. In it, I am seated in a peaceful place, holding a sunflower—a symbol of growth, renewal, and the natural cycles of life. Just like the sunflower, which blooms in the summer and then fades as the seasons change, we too must let go of parts of ourselves in order to grow. It reminds me that life is full of seasons, and each one has its purpose. We must embrace them, allowing the old to fall away so that the new can emerge.
Motherhood, for me, has been the most incredible catalyst for this kind of growth. It’s taught me to live in the present, to appreciate the beauty in the small, fleeting moments, and to let go of the things that don’t truly matter. As mums, we often carry so much on our shoulders—the expectations, the pressures, the desire to do everything right—but in the end, what truly matters is being here, right now, with the people we love.
This portrait is also a reminder that, amidst all the chaos and noise of the outside world, there is always a place of calm within us. It’s a place we can return to whenever we need to breathe, to center ourselves, and to remember that peace isn’t something we need to search for in another place, job, or person. It’s something we carry within us, always.
As a family photographer, my goal is to capture these kinds of moments for you—the ones that remind you of the beauty in your life, of the love that surrounds you, and of the peace that you can find within yourself. Just like in my self-portrait, I hope to create images that allow you to pause, breathe, and reflect on the wonderful journey you’re on, both as a mum and as a person.
Motherhood is a gift—a chance to grow, to love, and to live in the present. I hope this story, and the image that came from it, inspires you to embrace your own journey and find those moments of calm in the midst of it all.