The Summer Nobody Gets Back
Summer has a funny way of feeling endless while it’s happening.
The days are longer. Bedtimes get pushed back. Shoes are kicked off at the door. The calendar fills with beach trips, popsicles, camping adventures, vacations, backyard dinners and spontaneous ice cream runs.
And then somehow, before you know it, you’re shopping for school supplies again.
As moms, we’re often the keepers of the memories.
We remember which beach your toddler was afraid of the waves, which summer your teenager suddenly became taller than you and which year the family dog insisted on joining every outdoor adventure.
But here’s what I’ve learned after photographing hundreds of families:
The moments we think we’ll always remember are often the ones that fade first.
We remember the big events, but it’s the little things that tell the story.
The missing front tooth.
The freckles that appear every June.
The way your child still reaches for your hand.
The family dog that follows everyone from room to room.
The laugh that makes everyone else start laughing, too.
These details change quietly.
That’s why photographs matter.
That’s also why I love creating Simply Me portraits for kids and pets.
These portraits are not about perfect posing or making everyone look the same. They are about personality.
The scrunched-up nose.
The shy smile.
The big laugh.
The serious thinker face.
The wild curls.
The beloved stuffed animal that has to come along.
The dog who tilts his head when he hears your voice.
The cat who acts like the session was entirely her idea.
Simply Me is designed to celebrate who they are in this exact season, before the teeth grow in, the freckles fade, the puppy energy softens or the little quirks quietly change into something new.
For kids, it’s a chance to document the expressions, confidence, sweetness and silliness that make them unmistakably themselves.
For pets, it’s a way to honor the furry family members who are part of the everyday story: waiting at the door, sneaking onto the couch, following the kids through the yard and somehow becoming part of every memory.
Because whether they have two legs or four, the ones we love deserve to be remembered beautifully.
Not because everything has to be perfect.
Not because everyone has matching outfits.
Not because you’re waiting until you lose ten pounds, your schedule calms down or the house renovation is finished.
They matter because life is happening right now.
Years from now, your children won’t be looking for perfection.
They’ll be looking for proof.
Proof that they were loved.
Proof that they belonged.
Proof that you were there.
One of my favorite things about photographing families is watching moms finally step into the frame.
So often, they’re the ones taking the pictures, organizing the schedules, packing the snacks and making the memories happen.
You deserve to be part of the story, too.
And this time of year, that story includes so much: the kids as they are right now, the pets who are part of the family, the dads and grandpas who deserve to be remembered and the ordinary summer moments that someday won’t feel ordinary at all.
This summer, take the picture.
Get in the frame.
Say yes to documenting this season exactly as it is.
Because the summer nobody gets back is the one we’re living right now.
And it is worth remembering.
If you’ve been thinking about a summer portrait session for your children, family or pets, I would love to help you create artwork that brings this season back to you long after the school supplies are packed and the popsicles are gone.
And if our studio has created something meaningful for your family, Best Of nominations are open this month. Your nomination would mean so much and helps other local families discover portrait artwork they can enjoy for years to come.
