One-on-one time with your babe. Nothing in the whole world like it. So it’s pretty gorgeous to see it captured on camera, especially with a talent like Shea Brianne behind the lens and a field for the frolicking, which just so happens to be on the mama’s property. Shea has a sweet story to go along with these beautifully simple photos of Samantha and her little dude Canyon, too:

Aside from co-running a wedding planning business with her husband, Samantha minds their farm (and seven or so chickens), volunteers time at the non-profit her husband works at, somehow finds time to work out, and still feeds and bathes herself- and always looks like a total babe. Samantha makes motherhood look gorgeous, but I know that’s not always how it feels. It feels more like no sleep, spit up, poop, heavy eyes, and not having washed your hair in a week. The whole process of motherhood has always seemed so complicated to me, from the conception to the carrying to the raising. And as if the whole motherhood part wasn’t enough, most mommas are also trying to balance a career life, personal life, and social life to some extent. 

However, I am really lucky, because I have had a privilege that not every other gets. Let me share with you what I saw but you didn’t see behind these photos: Samantha had just gotten home from running errands all day; I held Canyon while she quickly shaved her legs and put on the dress I brought. To keep him from fussing in the photos, she breastfed him for few minutes. She took the tiniest bit of her husband’s hair gel and parted his few little hairs over to the side. And then, she put on her muddy knee-high hunter boots with baby on hip, dress all hiked up, and jumped into the truck to go out to the field on their property. As Canyon smiled at his momma and they giggled together and walked through the grass, everything looked absolutely beautiful. 

Can’t stage a smile like that, can you? That’s the real deal, right there.

I wanted to shoot a motherhood session that felt honest. That’s why I chose Samantha, and that’s why I asked if we could simply drive right down the road on their farm. It’s why she simply asked a friend to borrow some old baby overalls and why she walked barefoot through the grass with second-day curls in her hair. Under that expansive sky, I loved how quiet and normal and real everything felt. 

Isn’t it amazing how a simple shoot can say so much? Beautifully done, Shea!

Photography: Shea Brianne Photography / Dress: Lulu’s / Model Samantha of Mathews Weddings & Events