Why I Always Focus on Moms During Family Photography Sessions | Duluth Family Photographer
Discover why moms are the heart of every family session and why I make sure they’re seen and celebrated in every photo. Serving Duluth, Hibbing, and the North Shore.
FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY


By Brooke – Duluth Family Photographer, With Love Photography
Here’s something I’ve learned after photographing many families across Duluth, the North Shore, and the Iron Range:
Moms are the heart of the family—and they’re almost never in the photo.
If you’re a mom, you probably know exactly what I mean.
You’re the one doing the everyday work no one sees—refilling water bottles, soothing tantrums, folding tiny socks, making mental checklists that never get written down.
You remember the important dates, the field trip forms, the way your child likes their sandwich cut.
You catch the moments as they unfold—grabbing your phone when they’re twirling in the yard or giggling in the bath, hoping to freeze time just long enough to remember what it felt like.
You're capturing their story every single day.
But somewhere along the way, you forget to include yourself in that story.
You're rarely in the photos—just the hands holding the camera, the voice behind the video, the love behind the scenes.
As a family photographer based in Hibbing and traveling throughout Duluth, the North Shore and Iron Range, I’ve made it part of my mission to change that.
Because moms are always holding everything together.
When you show up to your session, I know you're likely carrying more than just a diaper bag. You’re carrying mental load. Emotions. Exhaustion. Worry about how your kids will behave. Wondering if this was worth it. Wondering if you’ll regret being in the pictures—or regret it more if you’re not.
But here’s the thing…
Your kids don’t want perfect.
They just want you.
They’ll look back at these photos one day and see something you might not:
How safe they felt in your arms.
How your eyes softened when you looked at them.
How deeply you loved them, even in the chaos.
And that’s why I always make space for you during your session.
Whether I’m photographing a sunrise session along Lake Superior, a cozy in-home session here in Duluth, or a windswept adventure on the North Shore—you’re never just in the background.
I guide gently. I notice the quiet in-between moments. I give you time to breathe and just be with your family. No pressure. No need to perform.
Because you deserve to be held in the frame the way you hold your entire family every single day.
My goal is to capture those authentic family moments that show your real connection, not just a posed picture. Check out how I embrace that in The Secret to Gorgeous Family Photography in Duluth (Even With Wild Toddlers).
My sessions are for the mamas who:
Do all the invisible things and still wonder if it’s enough
Say, “I just want one good photo where I’m actually in it”
Think they’ll book the session when they feel more like themselves again
Want to be remembered, not just for what they did—but for who they were in this season of motherhood
If that’s you….
I’m here to make sure your love isn’t just felt—it’s documented.
Because motherhood may not always be glamorous, but it is the is the most soul-shaping work there is.
And it deserves to be honored, especially in the places we call home—like Duluth, Hibbing, and the wild beauty of Northern Minnesota.
As a birth doula turned photographer, my experience helps me hold space for your story—read more about how my doula skills behind the lens elevate your birth and family photography experience.
With love,
Brooke
Photographer. Mother. Storykeeper.
📍Serving Duluth, the North Shore, Hibbing, the Iron Range, and beyond