New Richmond, WI Family & Motherhood Photographer | Alabaster Photos
TL;DR:
Most of us don’t remember childhood in full stories. We remember feelings, flashes, and tiny moments that somehow stayed. Family photography preserves the moments your children may one day struggle to recall—and gives them something real to hold onto. If you’re looking for meaningful family, motherhood, or childhood photography in New Richmond, Wisconsin or the St. Croix Valley, this post is for you.
I don’t remember much before I was four years old.
Not clearly, anyway.
What I remember are fragments.
Trick-or-treating with my brother and dumping candy onto the floor. My parents checking it carefully. Barbie dolls missing their heads because my brother had decided to “cook” them in the Barbie oven. Tape wrapped around my finger to stop me from sucking it. A long road trip west when my family moved to California.
None of it comes back in a perfect timeline.
Just flashes.
And honestly? The older I get, the more I realize that’s how memory works for most of us.
Childhood Isn’t Remembered in Perfect Chapters
When I was five, my dad was stationed at March Air Force Base in Moreno Valley, California.
That’s where my memories really begin to sharpen.
We eventually settled into a house on Cobra Drive. Kids played outside all day long. We rode bikes, scooters, and waited for the ice cream truck to come through the neighborhood. There was no streaming, no internet, no phones in our pockets. If you wanted to watch your favorite show, you had to wait for it to air.
And somehow… that made life feel bigger.
Slower.
More present.
But even then, I don’t remember everything.
I remember missing a Taco Bell field trip because I got chicken pox. I remember the disappointment more than the actual illness. My mom took a picture of me that day, and now that photo means more to me than the field trip ever would have.
I remember making Christmas cookies and shopping for gifts for my family at school. I remember the sound of cardboard name cards being shuffled in a classroom. I remember losing a spelling bee on the word rutabaga and crying because I was humiliated.
Not because those moments were huge.
But because they felt huge to me.
What Kids Remember Might Surprise You
As adults, we think kids will remember:
- the expensive vacation
- the perfect birthday party
- the Pinterest-worthy details
But often?
They remember:
- the smell of hot dogs after sledding
- the sound of helicopters overhead at night
- Girl Scout cookies during family game night
- how proud they felt buying a Christmas gift for a parent
- the feeling of being embarrassed in front of classmates
- a family camping trip
- being held
Children experience life emotionally first.
They don’t always understand what’s happening around them, but they feel it deeply.
As a photographer and mother, I think about that constantly.
Why Family Photography Matters
One day, your children won’t remember this season perfectly either.
Not the exact schedule.
Not every conversation.
Not every detail.
But they may remember:
- how safe they felt with you
- the way your house looked
- their favorite stuffed animal
- the chaos of siblings
- your laugh
- the way you held them
And your photos?
They become the bridge between memory and reality.
They help fill in the gaps.
Photography Isn’t About Perfection
One of the clearest memories I have from childhood is waiting for my kindergarten yearbook photo to be taken.
I followed the teacher around all day waiting for my turn. Watching other kids go first. Hoping my picture would turn out the way I imagined.
When it finally happened, it wasn’t where I wanted it taken. It didn’t feel special.
And I remember being disappointed.
That memory stayed with me because even then, I wanted to feel seen.
That’s something I carry into every session I photograph today.
I don’t want your photos to feel stiff, rushed, or disconnected from who you actually are.
I want them to feel like:
- your real life
- your connection
- your story
Not perfection.
Presence.
The Photos That Matter Most Are Usually the Imperfect Ones
The truth is, the photos we treasure most usually aren’t the flawless ones.
They’re the honest ones.
The missing-tooth smiles.
The tears after losing the spelling bee.
The windblown hair.
The kids being chaotic.
The moments that weren’t planned.
Because those are the moments that feel real later.
A New Richmond, WI Photography Experience Focused on Storytelling
At Alabaster Photos, I specialize in:
- newborn photography
- motherhood sessions
- maternity photography
- family photography
- storytelling imagery
My studio in downtown New Richmond was created to feel calm, welcoming, and deeply personal—because I believe photography should preserve more than appearances.
It should preserve feeling.
I serve families throughout:
- New Richmond
- Hudson
- Baldwin
- River Falls
- the greater St. Croix Valley
One Day, These Moments Will Be Someone’s Memories
Your life right now may feel ordinary.
But one day?
These are the moments your children will try to piece back together.
And your photographs will help tell the story.
Looking for a Family or Motherhood Photographer in New Richmond, Wisconsin?
If you’ve been thinking about booking a session, this is your sign 🤍
📍 Downtown New Richmond studio sessions available
📸 Family, motherhood, maternity, and newborn photography
🤍 Relaxed, heartfelt sessions centered on connection and storytelling
