Oooh, it feels good to be back in the saddle again. Or really, to be back in the position I really love—playing with children and documenting their funny looks, shyness, boldness, and general hilarity. I’ve written before about this sentiment, but it’s still true of my process as a photographer: I fall in love with your kids as I edit the images from our photoshoot. And as a mother, I see the value in documenting THIS period of life, this stage of quirks, because time keeps marching on. Children grow. They never stay the same, so this time is worth capturing.

I had the joy of shooting portraits for a birthday surprise for a grandmother. And, from what I hear, the results of our covert photoshoot were entirely worth the cost of staying silent about our fun in the library a few weeks ago! These five children—with a sixth on the way—filled me with joy and it was absolutely a privilege to spend time with them.

It’s become more common to see pictures of adorable infants surrounded by their mama’s IVF needles. Really, it’s very artistic and creative, and in the middle is the glorious result of all the pokes and aches women have faced in order to produce a snuggly babe. These pics? Yeah… they’re a little different. If I had saved all the syringes since my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis some 14 years ago it might equal a small mountain. And what do I put in the middle of the picture? An image of me walking down some stairs or putting away the dishes? Ha! Not quite as charming. I am a work in progress though, and I am not ashamed of the medication that keeps my joints functioning. None of us are promised easy lives, and what you see above is a bit of my burden and how art can be found in anything—even images of syringes without a chunky cherub amongst them.