Monthly Archives: September 2016

Beautiful Virginia Outdoor Family Lifestyle Session by Brooke Tucker Photography

One of the most amazing bits about being a children and family photographer, is that I am able (and honestly blessed) to create this wonderfully beautiful bond with my families that allows us to connect and see each other throughout the years!  If I’m lucky… it truly allows me and “gifts” me the amazing ability to see them throughout many years, even a lifetime!

I’ve known Morgan, gosh I can’t even remember the first time I met her.  Maybe middle school playing field hockey?!  Surely it had to be sooner than that!  In fact, let’s just say I can’t really remember a time that I haven’t known Morgan!  I grew up with her, playing sports with her and sometimes against her and going to school with her!  We even (and this was just a fun coincidence) got married on the same exact date!  How cool right?!

What’s even more fantastic is that I have been blessed to capture Morgan’s most memorable moments (with the exception of her wedding.. .wink wink) from the very beginning!  A true gift for me that I honestly could never truly express in words.  When I think about that it’s mind blowing! It’s one of those mind blowing moments that shakes you to the core because I can see and feel and place myself back to that day and spot where we took her maternity images when she was pregnant with A!  I mean I remember it like it was yesterday or just an hour ago!  I remember where we went, I remember where I had her sit and play on that park and I remember coaching her to “pose” (oh gosh…) on the beach that evening!

And now… wow!  I just look at this gorgeous image above; and not because of my photography, but because of those beautiful girls in that image and this phenomenal family she and Chris have created and think to myself where has that time gone and what incredible parents Morgan and Chris really are!

It’s scary how time flies by these days.  It’s scary how in one blink of an eye our littles are growing and changing!  One thing that is not so scary… the ability we have to hold on to these moments and treasure them just the same way this lovely family of four holds on to each other’s hands and walks beside each other in perfect timing!

We decided to have ourselves a little evening of fun!  We played, we jumped and we laughed a ton!  We snuggled which these girls are the world’s pro snugglers, let me tell you!  More importantly though, we spent quality time together!  One thing that I can truly appreciate about this family:  they absolutely know how to spend family time together apart and away from anything else!  They are completely connected to one another and it’s inspiring to watch!

Here are some of my most favorite from our time together!

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Jump little lady… jump for your dreams!

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Thank you Morgan and Chris for letting me spend an evening with you and your gorgeous girls! Thank you to A for being my second shooter and always taking a break from being a model to help me compose my shots and take the BEST pictures of your mama! Seriously Morgan… this girl is coming to work for me as soon as she can!!! 😉
I can’t wait for our play dates when I come in town next!!

I remember reading this on an instagram post!   You know, one of those beautifully styled hand lettered and so clean and perfect text images; I just adore those and I’m not afraid to admit it!  It read: Balance isn’t something you find, it’s something you create.

Sadly, I can’t remember who posted it right now, and I can’t remember who even created it, otherwise I would give them credit!  It’s the perfect statement!  I wish I had saved it or kept a screen shot of it!  I probably would have if I hadn’t been so exhausted or been scrolling through quickly with mind on a million other errands, tasks that needed to be done and dinner cooking while my minion played “don’t touch the hot lava” while simultaneously jumping all over me!  But let’s be absolutely honest with ourselves:  as mother’s that’s how we roll!  All.  The.  Time!  Especially if we are mother’s AND business owner’s!  It’s how we often Rock and Roll most of our days.  We never ever turn off our switches.  We are never one or the other:  we are all our roles combined into one person and one heart all the time and all the hours!

So, the one crazy question that I keep asking myself to answer every single day, week, month and new year’s resolution is how can I strike a balance?!  I have to figure out that magic answer because all my other boss mama’s out there are seemingly doing it!  I mean come on…. look at their instagram accounts, they are living it up in the balance world!  Right???!!!

But that beautifully hand lettered, clean and simple little instagram square punched me in the face the other day!

Balance isn’t something you find:  It’s something you create on your own!

You see, you have to work at it.  You have to carve it out and whittle it down to what you feel and know is right in your heart for yourself, your situation and your own unique little family unit!  And guess what… it’s going to change from day to day just like the weather and just like our the temperament of our children!

Balance is an ever changing ebb and flow kind of fluid structure!  At least this is what I”m learning this year!

I will let you in on a little secret.

Our family has gone through a lot of changes since our move to Florida.

This has been amazing in so many ways and we are forever grateful for where we are; but also it’s been a bit hairy scary!  Tuck is in the process of a job change and Linc has started pre-school but the hours are incredibly different that what we are used to back in Virginia Beach.  We are spending a lot more family time together which has been such a blessing but we have been striving to change the way we approach our family time, which means striking a balance between business (for both Tuck and I) and actual quality time and being present with each other and leaving outside influences like social media where they belong (on the table powered down.)

We have been conscious of our choices including when it’s time to work and work harder and smarter; and then when it’s time to prioritize our family and make those moments count intentionally!

Balance changes every single day!

Some days Tuck and I win!  We find our balance and we celebrate!  Other days, we fail and that’s OK.  Some days we just recognize that we aren’t perfect.

I struggle the most to be honest.  I struggle because I want to make sure that my first priority is always to my family!  So there are days when I fail at my job, and guess what:  at the end of the day when my head hits the pillow, I am OK with that!

I am OK with that because I know that I played with my son.  I am OK with that because I know he is my legacy.  I am OK with that because he is the reason I relate to my clients so well and continue to pick up my camera and shoot the way that I do!

I am OK with that because I honestly believe with all of my heart that my clients would understand and if given the choice that would also choose the same!

So for all my fellow mamas out there that are also trying to answer that crazy question of how to strike a balance, this is what I have to offer you!    You don’t!  I think you just keep creating your own quasi balance for this one day and this one moment and celebrate the wins!  I think you just live your life and stop trying to find perfection!

I think we all just do the best we can with what we are given and say as long as at the end of each day when my head hits the pillow I am happy with the love I shared, then I did a wonderful job!  As long as my children feel loved, my husband feels loved and I met the needs of those I care for… I did a damn good job!

Cheers to you mamas!

How to Find Balance as a mother and a business owner

 

Beautiful Outdoor Family Lifestyle Photography Session | Brooke tucker photography

What’s better than meeting an old friend from school AND getting to meet her stunning family?!  How about taking them all on an adventure outdoors, playing with lightsabers, chasing out a storm AND dancing to the ghostbusters theme song… that’s what!

Yep… I know, nailed it!!!

That’s exactly what I thought when we all made the trek back to the car… The K family nailed it!  I had such an incredible time with this super cool family!  I mean seriously… this little boy mama’s heart exploded with joy when I was able to dance and sing and play with such a phenomenal family!~  I also totally learned some mama-ing tips from Kim in the way she was so poised and relaxed and go with the flow!  I strive to be a mama like that, and I totally bow down to you Kim because you are such an incredible mama!

I decided to head back home to Virginia Beach for a long weekend and I was so excited when Kim contacted me about participating in the mini sessions I was offering!  I haven’t seen Kim since High School and although I have kept up with her through facebook and our mutual friends, I couldn’t wait to see her in person and meet her husband and family!

We met at pleasure house point off shore drive, which is one of my absolute favorite shooting spots!  It’s a great little spot for little ones!  There’s just enough space where they can run and be independent but not far enough where (if you are anything like me and your little one is like mine) that you worry as a mom or where they can get into too much trouble on their own!

When we were pulling in there was a slight rain storm!  A rain cloud that happened to be only over our spot and on our side of the street!  It’s actually a little bit comical because as I left Florida, I thought I left Hermine!  Instead, I ended up bringing it all the way with me to Virginia Beach!  I think in a way, I’m a bit of a bad luck charm in that aspect.  I had been chatting with Kim throughout the day and the best part about most mama’s (especially those with little ones or boy moms):  we aren’t afraid to play in the rain!  Our session turned out to be amazing because of that little black cloud right over our location!

We had the best time truly and I hope you can feel that as much as I can when I look through some of my favorite images from our time together!

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Everyone loves a great air guitar!!!

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This one is one of my all time favorites! There’s just something special and breathtaking about the way a mama does what she does every day! Those simple tasks… like carrying her daughter, I don’t know it just makes me stop and catch my breath for a moment and appreciate life and those simple moments and gentle ways that speak of the way we love one another and care for each other!

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Ok… little D… isn’t she gorgeous?!

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Brothers are bonded for life… the secrets and joke and laughs… may they never stop!!

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