Halona Blowhole | Motherhood

I was so thrilled when I got this inquiry in. This military life is one where even though we’re vast its both isolating and familial at the same time. There’s this camaraderie among us that have been doing it awhile where you know nobody else really gets it unless you’ve been through it. Being away from family is tough and some duty stations are more isolating than others. Having lived moments of solo parenting while having two boys, I instantly felt a familiarity when reading through the session questionnaire and learning a bit more about the family. Once I met them, these rambunctious boys reminded me SO much of mine they instantly won my heart.

I feel like being a boy mom you get this duality of exerperience.

Sometimes they are just SO dang sweet they melt you. and other times they are so rough you’re sure you’re going to walk away bruised. Don’t be fooled, the time on this log, this momma experienced both!

I say for family sessions we move at the pace of the littlest person but these boys were 100% adventurers so we were all over the place. Playing in sand, playing in the water, climbing and jumping off rocks. All the things I absolutely adore about childhood and going to a new place. We get this opportunity here on Oahu to witness things that we don’t always get. Lets be honest some of the duty stations we can get assigned to are not this magical so its such a joy to share these spaces with families.

I love being able to mix gorgeous backdrops of places I’d want to have printed in my home with the reality of life and motherhood. I think something we (rasies hand because I’ve been there) have this expectation that we’re going to get that wonderful say cheese and smile photo where everyones face is looking at the camera and thrilled to be there. And yeah, sometimes that happens. But really my heart just ignites with these moments of play. When the mischievous grins form on these little humans when they know they’re in the middle of ruckus. When they fight against our agenda of compliance and push towards exploration. Its such a representation of this age of youth. Where children are working out their independence and balancing between needing our closeness and reassurance and their drive to push away and follow their own paths.

As a photographer this was such a magical night for me. This momma did all the things I always ask clients to do…just go with it and trust me. And I was lucky enough to outfit the family (their whole wardrobe is from my client closet) which was just icing on the cake. These boys were feral and so endearingly sweet and their ability to just play made them so much fun to photograph.

So yeah, sometimes we want the perfect photos but…

I will always believe that following the joy of the kids is the way to go