Why Every Mom Deserves to Be in Photos: The Beauty of Motherhood Photography
My selfie with 4 of my littles. We all had hats on and wanted to show Dad. This is how most of my memories are show cased, A selfie is better than nothing.
Do You Ever Feel Like You’re Missing from the Memories?
As a busy mom, wife, and the heart of my family, I often find myself capturing moments for everyone else—but rarely stepping into them myself. Between the daily chaos, the to-do lists, and the constant juggling of responsibilities, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters: being present.
We take pictures of our children, their milestones, their laughter, and the love we pour into them. But when they look back years from now, will they see us in those memories?
That’s what inspired me to start Indie Essence Photography—a passion-driven business focused on capturing the raw, beautiful essence of motherhood.
Why Motherhood Photography Matters
Moms Deserve to Be in the Frame
Too often, moms are the ones behind the lens, documenting life but never fully living in the photos. But here’s the truth: You deserve to be seen. Your children deserve to have memories of you—your warmth, your laughter, the way you hold them close.
The Power of Capturing Motherhood
As a mother myself, I know how fleeting these moments are. The way tiny hands wrap around your fingers, the sleepy cuddles, the pure joy in their eyes—it all passes in the blink of an eye. Photography freezes these moments, turning them into timeless keepsakes.
Why Book a Mom & Child Photoshoot?
If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect time” to schedule a motherhood photoshoot, let this be your sign. There is no better time than now to capture the love, connection, and beauty of your journey.
A Motherhood Photoshoot Is:
✅ A celebration of the love between you and your children
✅ A way to preserve memories for generations
✅ A gift to yourself—because you deserve to be in the picture too
Let’s Create Something Beautiful Together
At Indie Essence Photography, I specialize in motherhood, maternity, and family photography that captures real emotions and authentic moments. My goal is to make you feel comfortable, beautiful, and cherished in every image.
👉 Ready to step into the frame? Let’s create something unforgettable together.
📅 Book your session today!
The Mental Load of Motherhood and Entrepreneurship
Being exhausted to the core but still have to hold it together for everyone else
Overstimulated and On Overdrive: The Mental Load of Motherhood and Entrepreneurship
Some days, the world is just too much. The dishes pile up, the laundry overflows, and the tiny voices calling “Mom!” echo nonstop. The constant movement, the endless to-do lists, the needs that never seem to pause—it all builds into a deafening roar. Overstimulation creeps in, tightening its grip until even the smallest noise feels like nails on a chalkboard. And yet, we keep going. Because we have to.
Motherhood is beautiful, but it’s also relentless. And when you add entrepreneurship into the mix, the weight doubles. It’s a job with no clock-out time, no sick days, no off-switch. The mental load—the invisible weight of managing schedules, remembering appointments, anticipating needs, and holding space for every emotion in the household—is exhausting. And in the middle of it all, where do we fit?
The Signs of Overstimulation
Overstimulation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a very real, very overwhelming experience. It shows up in different ways:
Irritability – The little things suddenly feel unbearable. A sibling argument, the dog barking, the crinkle of a snack bag—it’s all too much.
Exhaustion – Not just physical tiredness, but a deep, bone-weary fatigue that no amount of coffee can fix.
Sensory Overload – The sound of the TV, the feel of sticky hands on your skin, the visual clutter—everything feels amplified and inescapable.
Mental Fog – Struggling to focus, forgetting tasks, feeling like your brain is running on empty.
Why Are Moms Always in Overdrive?
We juggle so many roles—caregiver, planner, referee, emotional anchor—often without acknowledging how much we are carrying. And for mom entrepreneurs, the workload doesn’t stop at home. There are clients to respond to, emails to send, marketing to manage, and a never-ending to-do list. The pressure to balance both family and business success can be overwhelming.
Society conditions us to push through, to be “supermoms” who can handle it all. But handling it all comes at a cost.
Our nervous systems were not designed for constant overstimulation. We need space to reset, but often, we don’t allow ourselves that time. Instead, we push forward, running on fumes, until burnout feels inevitable.
How to Find Relief
While we can’t eliminate the chaos entirely, we can create moments of calm within it. Here’s how:
Sensory Breaks – Step outside for a minute of fresh air. Sit in a quiet, dark room for five minutes. Put on noise-canceling headphones if needed.
Lower the Bar – Let go of the expectation to do everything perfectly. Some days, survival mode is enough.
Ask for Help – Whether it’s a partner, a friend, or a trusted support system, delegating tasks can make a huge difference.
Set Boundaries – It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to let the kids watch a little extra TV so you can breathe. It’s also okay to set business boundaries—clients can wait.
Reconnect with Yourself – Whether it’s journaling, photography, a hot shower, or deep breaths in the closet—find tiny ways to nurture you.
You Are Not Alone
If you feel overstimulated, overwhelmed, and running on empty, know this: You are not broken. You are not failing. You are carrying more than anyone sees, and you deserve rest, too.
Motherhood and entrepreneurship will always be full of noise and chaos, but you deserve moments of peace within it. Give yourself grace, mama—you’re doing more than enough.
The Heart of Motherhood: Documenting the Raw and the Real
In this moment while I embrace my growing belly I stop to comfort my baby who is very leery of our surroundings.
Photo Credits go to Root + Wander Co.
Motherhood is a journey that reshapes our lives in ways we never imagined. As a mother of nine, I’ve experienced every high and low this journey has to offer—from the miracle of birth to the heartache of loss, from the struggles of nursing and pumping to the shadowed days of postpartum depression and anxiety. Every moment has left its imprint, weaving a story of love, resilience, and transformation.
This is why my current photography project is so deeply personal to me. It’s about capturing the untold stories of motherhood—the moments of triumph, the moments of pain, and the incredible resilience that we mothers embody. Motherhood isn’t just about the glowing maternity photos or the perfect family portraits; it’s also about the messy, raw, and emotional moments that often go unseen. It’s about sleepless nights, tears of joy and exhaustion, and the courage it takes to keep going when the weight of it all feels overwhelming.
As someone who has birthed six children, miscarried one, and embraced the role of mother to nine, I’ve walked many paths of this journey. I’ve felt the joy of a baby’s first cry, the pride of watching my children grow, and the ache of loss that comes with saying goodbye too soon. I’ve grappled with the realities of postpartum depression and anxiety—the moments when the world felt too heavy and the walls seemed to close in. I’ve sat alone in the dark, pumping milk for a baby who needed me, while silently willing myself to find the strength for another day. These experiences have shaped me and deepened my empathy for other mothers navigating similar struggles.
Through my lens, I aim to honor these stories. This project is more than a collection of photographs; it’s a tribute to the raw and unfiltered beauty of motherhood. Each image tells a story—a mother nursing her newborn, her face a mix of tenderness and fatigue; a moment of quiet between a mother and her child after a storm of tears; or a woman rediscovering her strength after navigating the depths of postpartum anxiety. These are the stories that deserve to be told, shared, and celebrated.
Motherhood is often idealized in our culture, but it’s rarely shown in its full, authentic light. This project seeks to change that by fostering connection and understanding among mothers everywhere. Whether you’ve experienced birth trauma, navigated the challenges of nursing, or battled the silent struggles of PPD or PPA, your story matters. Your journey is valid, and your resilience deserves to be celebrated.
To the mothers reading this, I see you. I see your strength, your vulnerability, and your unwavering love. This project is for you—to honor your sacrifices, your triumphs, and the unique journey that defines your motherhood. I hope these images will remind you that you’re not alone, and that every part of your story—the joyful, the painful, and the messy—is worth cherishing.
If you’re a mother who wants to share your story through this project, I would be honored to capture your journey. Let’s document the moments that make motherhood so profoundly beautiful, in all its raw and real glory.
Happy New Year 2025
Watching the beautiful Fireworks light up the sky!
As I sit here and reflect on 2024, I can’t help but to be proud for the accomplishments that I have made. As moms we often think about wanting to set goals for the new year, which yes, don’t get me wrong, I have definitely done that, but we always think how we could have done better at something, right? Well not only do I have goals set for 2025, I want to recognize the accomplishments that were made in 2024. Indie Essence Photography was officially launched in June 2024. I know that doesn’t seem very long but when you have a life long passion and hobby then it doesn’t seem like such a short time ago. We attended our first community fair in October of 2024. Then in December an article was published in the Voyage Denver Magazine about my journey through Indie Essence Photography. More and more my love for photography grows. I love looking back at images of my own children and experiences and want to provide that service for others. Everyone these days is a photographer in a sense with all the available technology and cell phones but not everyone takes pictures with love and creativity. By being able to customarily paint an image you are creating a very memorable experience for your clients while expressing my artistic passion. I look forward to growth in my business and skills over the next year.
Voyage Denver Conversation with Christy Alexander
Image credits go to Candace Smith. The Essence Photographer at the Mint & Serif Coffee shop in Lakewood, Colorado.
So about a little over a month ago I was contacted by an individual on the editorial team for the Voyage Denver Magazine. They wanted to do an interview about me and my business. At first I was skeptical of moving forward because I thought, “How and why would just anyone reach out to me?” I am just a nobody I told myself. Well I asked how they heard about me and they stated that usually individuals are contacted based on referrals or someone from their team came across my information via socials etc. Well the interview was finally published. Check out the link:
https://voyagedenver.com/interview/conversations-with-christy-alexander/
Mompreneur/Solopreneur
Creative portraits out in nature really allow ourselves to express who we are!
Being a mom is no small token let alone running a business at the same time. I have been blessed with the ability to stay home with my children but I tend go stir crazy feeling like I want to contribute more to my family all while doing something I love. I have a passion for art. I love drawing, painting, sculpting and of course photography. Being a momma of young children doesn’t always allow time to fullfil all forms of my passion. With photography I get to step out into nature and let the landscapes help paint the vibe of the images. Now I am not a landscape photographer by any means. I am very much a creative portrait, family, and maternity photographer that also enjoys the edge and feminine touch of Boudoir. I want all my clients to feel sexy in their own bodies. God made us all individually and we should all embrace who we are. So whether you are an expectant momma, Seasoned momma, or an individual that wants to express their creative side you all deserve to see and feel as beautiful as you truly are. That is really why I decided to start my own photography business!!!!
Getting Ready for my own Photos
I, just as many of you, get anxious when I have photos of my own planned. Whether its a branding shoot for my business, Family photos, or self portraits I go through the run around of, What do I wear, how should I do my hair and makeup etc.? As a Colorado native being a crunchy mom is typically my norm but I also like to have a little class and sass. I am totally fine chilling in sweatpants all day one day and then be ready to waltz down Wall Street the next. (figuratively) So even photographers who do this for a living go through the same battles that our clients are most likely experiencing.
Photographing big families.
So as I mentioned before, I am a mother of 9 children. I have become familiar with the idea of trying to “embrace the moment.” It is physically and darn near mentally impossible to think that special moments such as, family photos, won’t be accompanied by exploration and expression of everyone’s personalities. That’s just what we want right? We want to capture the most authentic moments that depict who we are. So mommas who are stressing out about whether the kids match perfectly or if everyone is looking and smiling at the camera the whole time, Just don’t. Yes those are beautiful photos but is that truly who you all are? The best part, is when having a photo session done there is a series of images that you can choose to showcase. Not only on social media do we want to exhibit our love for the memories we create, but in our home where our heart is, will be the most memorable and meaningful place to express our love for each other. So let the kids be kids I say and those will truly be the core memories you are trying to capture!!!!!!!
Attending a Community Fair
Today was the first day we actually participated in an event. The Forester Family Medical Supply company hosted a community fair. It was such a great opportunity to get out and network with other business owners and like minded individuals. Meeting others who enjoy helping people is so inspiring. In my business I want to help families bond through a family photo session, help individuals gain self confidence/ acceptance through a creative or Boudoir portrait session, & help mommas to be (pregnant mommas) embrace their beautiful growing bellies. At Indie Essence Photography we also can help with Professional Headshots, senior portraits and newborn sessions. We want to help you showcase your greatest accomplishments and memories with beautiful wall art.
My story
My name is Christy Alexander. I am a momma of 9 beautiful kiddos and wife to the most amazing and supportive man. We officially joined our families together in 2019. My life has been anything but ordinary. Professionally, I started out in the dental field. After working in the dental field for 15+ yrs covid hit and changed everything. As you all know everyone was forced to stay home and isolated. That’s when I realized God had a different plan for me. Within a short period of time and fast forwarding to today I had 5 babies within the past 4 yrs. Thank You Covid!!!!!!! Being a stay at home mom, I needed a way to express myself and also support my family. I love art in all forms. Photography has always captured my attention, ever since I was a young girl. Capturing images of my family is really important to me. I always catch myself reminiscing back at past photos. Let me help you dip the same for yours
Finding my Niche
As an artist you find that you don’t typically start off secluding yourself to just a specific style. I’ve always read that you should try and “niche down”. Whatever that means!!! Why can’t I like different styles? I have a target audience in general that Id like to market too but again why can’t I produce different looks? I love bold crips images but also keep finding myself loving the whimsical vintage look too. Cinematic and Black and white are Gorg too!!!!! So if anyone can relate shoot me a message Id love to connect!!