Morgan Petroski 4/5/19 Morgan Petroski 4/5/19

Thurber Family - Day in the Life Session - Family Documentary Photography

Because they won’t stay little very long…

I met Claudia pretty soon after moving to Montreal. Almost two years ago now, she was the first fellow mom to welcome me to the city. I remember my son was so little and her youngest was so much smaller too when we met up for coffee.

Two years later, a winding road of exploring my photography passions and here we are. Family documentary photography has captivated me for years now. I’ve been actively documenting my own family in the same journalistic manner since, well, my journalism days. Seems natural right? My kids have so many moments, everyday and milestones, captured by mom’s camera. As my own children age I can see more and more clearly the value of freezing these fast paced years in photographs. Our everyday lives are just as valuable to cherish as the yearly family portrait, if not more so. Now I am turning my camera on other families to document the fleeting and beautiful everyday moments for them to treasure as well.

After documenting just a regular Saturday morning at the Thurber house, Claudia and I again met for coffee (and tea) and I showed her the photos I had taken of their daily and weekly routines, and all the hidden beautiful real moments mixed in there. My goal was to capture their family in a way that was truly 100% them and tell their story. When she teared up watching the slideshow I knew I had accomplished just that. (And then I started to cry too.)

Below are just a few of my favorite photos from their session, scroll to the bottom to see their complete slideshow.

Thurber Family Day in the Life Slideshow

Interested in a family documentary session for your own family? Contact me here.

Morgan Petroski 1/1/19 Morgan Petroski 1/1/19

Eva & Aaron's Wedding - Corrales, New Mexico

It’s always an honor when a friend asks (er… insists) that I photograph their wedding. :) Eva was my dancing/choreographing partner in crime for so many years while we lived in Albuquerque so I was super excited for her and Aaron and their big day. They held a small intimate wedding at Rancho de Corrales, in Corrales, New Mexico on November 3, 2018. It was simply perfect.

Morgan Petroski 10/26/17 Morgan Petroski 10/26/17

Porter Family: Family Session & Day in the Life

The Porter Family - Family Session

For the third year in a row I was fortunate to photograph the Porter family. This year they welcomed baby Thaddeus to the family. You can easily tell how in love the entire family is with him. Big sister Jane didn't have to be asked to hug or kiss him, she was so excited when she was holding him she naturally loved on her little brother. I love creating family portraits that a family will look back on and remember they didn't have to pretend for the camera, they just got to be themselves.

Day in the Life - 1 hr Session

This year we also did a shortened "Day in the Life" session. After their portrait session I followed the Porters back home to capture a bit of their new daily life as a family of four. If you are interested in a "Day in the Life" session please contact me as they are quickly becoming my favorite thing to photograph!

Click here to learn about booking a session

Morgan Petroski 9/6/17 Morgan Petroski 9/6/17

World Breastfeeding Week 2017

A portrait series of local breastfeeding mothers for last month's World Breastfeeding Week 2017.

I haven’t done much photo work in Montreal since our move, but I gave myself this portrait series project and a deadline for World Breastfeeding Week and I’m so glad I did! Getting behind the camera on a regular basis again felt so good. I had my tiny little assistant on my back the whole time, and wouldn’t you know, he was already helping me get smiles out of people and making them feel comfortable.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the wonderful mamas who volunteered to be photographed for the series and for sharing some words about breastfeeding! It was a pleasure getting to know each and every one of you and capturing this special time in your life.

I am available for hire if anyone would still like a breastfeeding photo session. Please contact me and we can chat.
❤️
Morgan

“For me breastfeeding is more than just feeding my daughters. it’s about nurturing, comforting, being there for them when they need me the most. I’ll always look back on these days with such a accomplished feeling.” ~ Claudia and her daughter Billie

“We have been having a few rough nights at our place with both girls having a bit of a cold. Last night after Gabby woke up for what felt like the thousandth time I sat there breastfeeding her and holding her tiny hand and I thought to myself thank god I have these moments to help me through it. With all the uncertainties we face as parents and the unending times where we question ourselves, thank god I have this breastfeeding relationship that makes me feel like I know what I’m doing, like I got this, and I’m doing the best I can do for my babies.“ ~ Melissa and her daughter Gabby

“To me, breastfeeding is a unique gift that only I can give to my child. It forces me to slow down, snuggle her, and enjoy her precious little face.” ~ Kim and her daughter Rose

“Breastfeeding my second son Balthazar has been a beautiful experience but not without its challenges. His newborn days have been spent nursing around the clock as he struggles to keep up with the flow, often with great protest. As we approach three months, his demands are lessening and I am able to embrace the closeness inherent in these surges of oxytocin. This is the start of a long conversation: a back and forth of supply and demand filled with comfort, safety and nourishment. I am so grateful for these moments.” ~ Heather and her son Balthazar

“When my daughter was born, breastfeeding was nothing more than a practical decision. But now, as I am introducing my baby to solid foods and spending less time breastfeeding, I am realizing how intimate this mother-daughter experience is and how much I’ll miss it.” ~ Olya and her daughter Valentina

“Sometimes it’s wonderful and beautiful but at other times it is really really tough.” ~ Moire and her daughter Elodie

“Breastfeeding for me wasn’t easy. After six incredibly long weeks things began to finally happen and it magically became part of our life. Our moments spent nursing together will forever remain a beautiful memory as I am now at the end of this breastfeeding journey. It has been a two year adventure and I am so grateful to have had the chance to experience all the ups and downs that come with it. Thank you my dear boy for allowing me to nourish and soothe you.” ~ Alicia and her son Ramsey

“Breastfeeding with my first baby has been an ongoing amazing adventure. Through those unique moments, I have the chance to connect with Florence in a way that no one else can. Breastfeeding goes beyond food; it is offering the very best of your love. Motherhood isn’t always easy but when your baby stops nursing for a few seconds to look up at you and smile, you then realize this is the one thing you are doing absolutely right.” ~ Maude and her daughter Florence

“It’s not often people stop and say “Good job making all the food this tiny human being needs with your own body for six whole months,” and even less often, “Excellent work continuing to provide this balanced diet and crazy unique love to your older child!” I think we need to recognize that. Breastfeeding is so often over-romanticized. I don’t think that’s useful. There’s a lot that’s nice and sweet about it, but it’s also a lot of work. You look like you’re just sitting there, but really you’re doing everything all at once.” ~ Marianne with her children Thomas and Noelle

“When I first began my breastfeeding journey, I could never have imagined where it would take me. I came into it with so many preconceptions about how, when, why and for how long I wanted to breastfeed my baby girl. Here I am 3 1/2 years later, having learned so much. Though I never imagined myself nursing a toddler or even two children at once, I’m glad that this is the path we took, as it’s always been the easiest option for me. I feel my children have a stronger relationship for it and I wouldn’t change a thing.” ~ Anastasia with her children, James, Zoe, and Lauren

Morgan Petroski 2/28/17 Morgan Petroski 2/28/17

Krista & Sam's Wedding - Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Krista and Sam were married at the Denver Museum of Nature and Sciencein August of 2016*. The weather, the venue, everything was perfect. Krista and Sam were surrounded with love from their oh-so-fun families, what more could you ask for? Oh, a beautiful sunset? Check! Enjoy some images from their big day.

*My blogging was majorly delayed due to the arrival of my son only a month later.