My son surprised us with a cleft lip/palate and club foot 14 years ago. I had no time to prepare or process everything that was happening. Within a week of him being born, we were commuting an hour and half each way meeting with specialists to get a cast every week to help correct his club foot. We were told that at 3 months old he would have his first surgery. I panicked! I was a first time Mom trying to process all the changes that were happening and trying to grieve my loss of the birth and newborn stage I thought I would have. At the time, we couldn’t afford to have photos done of my son. Every penny we had was going to medical expenses and driving back and forth. I honestly regret that so much, and that’s why I offer payment plans! However, I knew I needed pictures of him before his face changed forever. I knew I could afford a credit card payment (yes, I know this was a bad idea but I wasn’t thinking rational! Have you dealt with postpartum hormones before?), so I financed the best camera they had! It was a Nikon DSLR, and I had NO idea how to use it! Being the determined person that I am, I learned and I documented his every move and every expression he made. It was not only a stress relief for me, but it was a way to heal everything I was dealing with. When I picked up a camera I felt calm but also energized. Even after 14 years, I still feel this each and every time I photograph someone. I love it, and that’s why I made it my career. 

This is my story