Member, Professional Photographers of America

breastfeeding

My Latest Personal Project

I consider myself to be a creative person.  My mind is always racing and I'm constantly asking myself, "What if..."  I find the world fascinating in all aspects - it's beauty, how we think, why we do what we do, and what can I do to make the world a better, nicer, place.  I have never been able to work at a repetitive job...EVER!  Some people love those types of jobs, however I need each and every day of my life to be completely unpredictable to a certain degree.  I enjoy problem solving and being flexible.  THAT is why I ALWAYS wanted to work in education!  Whenever people would ask me why I wanted to become a teacher, my response was always, "No two days are ever the same."  Obviously there are many other reasons as to why one wants to become a teacher, but to me that was one of the perks.  I loved walking into the classroom and having to be on my toes all day long ready to help my students conquer whatever obstacle they were facing that day.  

I worked in a very demanding school district in Texas and it seemed the administration cared less and less, each and every school year.  Eventually this affected me in a negative way.  I began to count the hours of the day and countdown the days until summer break.  There was an enormous weight on my shoulders and I did not feel appreciated or valued as a human being.  The administration always wanted more out of my bucket, but they weren't adding anything into my bucket.  Eventually, my bucket ran dry and I resigned after five years of teaching.  You can read more about my struggle here.  

As a creative individual, it didn't take me long to realize that staying at home with my newborn was going to be an adjustment.  I went from twenty five-year-olds needing my attention throughout the day to having one newborn that demanded my attention during the day.  I soon realized that I needed to find something to do just "for me."  I told my husband that I wanted to buy a camera and practice photography.  At the time I wasn't thinking of starting my own business, but I certainly did want a hobby.  I soon realized that I could make people happy by providing them with a fun, comfortable experience while having their photographs taken.  

The first year I opened my business, things were slow...until the fall season hit.  I was suddenly swamped with requests and I didn't want to turn anyone away so I just made it work.  After surviving the fall season I knew I had to do something different if I was going to continue this business venture.  I would need to find something I was passionate about and vow to do a personal project each year to keep reminding myself that I originally began practicing photography as a hobby - something that brought me peace and made me feel alive.  So each year I try to work on a personal project.  I'll be honest, it almost always revolves around breastfeeding.  

There is so much stigma in our society with regards to breastfeeding.  Some people think it's just plain disgusting.  Others think it's a beautiful, natural way to feed a baby, but it should be done in a private location - or at the very least with a blanket covering the feeding baby.  And there are others that have no issue with it at all.  Obviously, I fall into the latter category and will work my tail off to help normalize breastfeeding so that it is not an issue at all - it is just viewed as a mother feeding her baby.  The more breastfeeding is seen in public, the more normalized it will become.  THAT is the goal of my latest personal project.

I'd like to give a special THANK YOU to the lovely breastfeeding mama (and model), Amber Brown and her son!  So stunning!

The Big Latch in Waco!

The Big Latch On will be held in Waco on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the grassy area behind the Waco Downtown Farmers Market next to the Brazos River.  You don't have to be a breastfeeding mother to attend.  Feel free to come support breastfeeding! 

big_latch_on_waco_texas

We are currently seeking donations for the raffle.  Each participant will receive one raffle ticket at registration.  After the latch on at 10:30am, we will begin the raffle.  We have several items that have been donated so far, including a pair of earrings from Amy, a merchandiser for Chloe + Isabel, a free Kindermusik class at My Little Play Place, a 5 Play Pass for My Little Play Place, a Jamberry gift certificate for a free sheet of nail wraps from Kathryn, a Jamberry consultant, a tube of Boppy Bloom from Boppy,  a professional bra fitting and a $35 gift certificate from the Bra Lady, De, a free mini-session with Kat Burt Photography, and a free regular session with Smith Family Photography.  We are still seeking donations so if you know of a small business that would like to provide a raffle item for the event, please send them my way.  

Check out the Facebook Event Page for up to date information as the event nears!  We will have bubbles and a photo booth as well!  

National Breastfeeding Month is HERE!

August is National Breastfeeding Month and each year this special month gets off to a start with a bang!  Every year the first Friday and Saturday are the days of the Big Latch On event.  You might we asking yourself, "What is the Big Latch On?" 

Groups of breastfeeding women come together at registered locations around the world to all latch on their child at a set time. All the breastfeeding women and children are latched on for one minute at the set time and are counted by the witnesses. The numbers are added up and we see if we can beat previous Big Latch On records! 

The Big Latch On supports communities with identifying and growing opportunities to provide ongoing breastfeeding support and promotion.

The key to the Big Latch On's success is allowing communities to hold their Big Latch On events, empowering them to create an event that relates to the people of their community, while still taking part in a worldwide event.  You can read more about the Big Latch On here

I have co-hosted the Big Latch On in Waco, Texas for the past two years.  The first year (2014) we had roughly 20 successful latches at the set time.  This year (2015) we had 22!  Next year will be even better!  I was pleased with how the event turned out this year, but I'm already making plans for improving the event for 2016. 

The group photograph for the Big Latch On in Waco, 2015.  There were 22 successful latches!

The group photograph for the Big Latch On in Waco, 2015.  There were 22 successful latches!

In 2015, a new record was set globally for the Big Latch On with a whopping 14,889 successful latches!  The old record was set in 2013 with 14,536 successful latches. 

People often realize that the first week in August is World Breastfeeding Week, but in fact the entire month of August recognizes the importance of breastfeeding.  Here at Smith Family Photography we are celebrating by offering Breastfeeding Mini-Sessions for the entire month of August!

Breastfeeding Mini-Sessions to celebrate National Breastfeeding Month.

Breastfeeding Mini-Sessions to celebrate National Breastfeeding Month.

My favorite quote to summarize my personal feelings about breastfeeding can be found on a collage I put together with the help of several nursing mothers and their babes.  This collage was originally put together for an art piece to be displayed at the Texas State Capital to support several breastfeeding bills. 

breastfeedingcollage