Why Mum Deserves to Be in the Frame Too
A love letter to the women who are always behind the camera.
She’s there in the blurry reflections.
In the lunches packed and the curls brushed.
In the songs sung at bedtime and the quiet sigh of relief when the house falls silent at night.
She’s there… even when she’s not in the photo.
But here’s the thing: your children won’t remember the laundry or the grocery runs or how tired you were that day.
They’ll remember the way you held them, the way you looked at them like they were the most wonderful thing you’d ever seen.
And they deserve to see it too.
To see you.
I know how easy it is to opt out. “Not today, I haven’t washed my hair.” “I need to lose a few kilos.” “Let’s just get the kids.”
You’ve said it. I’ve said it.
But when our children look back at these photographs years from now, they won’t see a tired mum with undone hair.
They’ll see the way your arms wrapped around them like home.
They’ll see the twinkle of pride in your eye.
They’ll see love.
Their love story—because you are the very beginning of it.
As a mother myself, I understand the deep, sometimes invisible effort it takes to show up every day. And that’s exactly why it deserves to be remembered. These years are fleeting, and one day, photographs will be the only way your children can return to their childhood.
They won't care that your outfit wasn't perfect or that you didn't feel your best.
They’ll just be grateful to have you frozen in time with them. Laughing. Holding hands. Dancing barefoot in the kitchen.
The Beauty in the Ordinary
What if we reframed what being “photo ready” means?
What if it wasn’t about perfectly styled outfits or flawless makeup, but rather capturing the way your daughter leans into you when she’s shy, or the way your son giggles when you whisper into his ear?
In my sessions, it’s never about perfection. It’s about presence.
It's about the soft squeeze of a mother’s hand, the way she kneels to meet her child’s eyes, the way she beams when no one is watching—except my camera.
These everyday in-between moments are what I focus on during my Motherhood Mini Sessions—a gentle reminder that love doesn’t need a special occasion.
These aren’t just photographs. They’re evidence of your love.
They’re heirlooms that say: “I was there. I loved you every second.”
You Are Their Home
So many mothers tell me they don’t feel beautiful right now.
But let me tell you something I wish every woman knew:
You are beautiful because you are theirs.
You are the one they look for in a crowd.
You are the arms they run to when the world feels too loud.
You are their safe place, their whole world wrapped up in one human.
Want to feel confident stepping into your session? I share more in How to Prepare for Your Motherhood Shoot, including a gentle checklist and outfit inspiration just for you.
And one day, when they’ve grown, they will long to remember you just as you are now.
This is why I do what I do.
Not just to give you pretty pictures—but to help you see yourself the way your children see you: radiant, adored, essential.
A Note to the Mamas Who Are Always Behind the Camera
You deserve to be remembered.
Not just in their memories, but in ink and paper and pixels that will last long after little hands have grown.
So this is your invitation.
Step into the frame. Let yourself be seen.
Curious what a full session looks like? Peek inside a recent story on the blog: A Windswept Beach Family Session—where giggles, cuddles, and barefoot magic took centre stage.
Because one day, these photos will be your child’s most treasured keepsakes. And they’ll say:
"That’s my mum. Look how much she loved me."
If your heart is saying it’s time, I’d love to help you capture this chapter. Whether we meet on a windswept beach, in your cosy home, or beneath golden bushland light—my promise is to hold space for the beauty of your story, just as you are.
Let’s create something real, something true, something your children will carry with them forever.
With love, always—
Nicole Reine Photography
Capturing the beauty of your story through Motherhood & Family Portraits
Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast
www.nicolereinephotography.com
Follow along on Instagram @nicolereinephotography
