There’s something incredibly special about photographing a fellow photographer—especially when that photographer is also one of your closest friends. This session with Kayla was one of those soul-nourishing experiences that remind me exactly why I do what I do.
I found myself at Kayla's for my own maternity photos at the time - her stunning property is often the perfect backdrop for anything and everything we photograph for each other. Rolling hills, tall wild grasses, and that soft golden light that only appears when the sky is just moody enough. It was after my session that we got the idea to do a quick impromptu shoot of her and her youngest two.
That day was particularly windy - it was intense, sweeping through the fields and playing with Kayla’s hair and dress in the most cinematic way. It added a sense of movement and emotion that we couldn’t have planned better if we tried.
Watching Kayla with her babies was pure magic. She is such a gentle, grounding presence, and seeing her embrace the chaos of motherhood with grace and humor was a gift. Her little ones clung to her—full of trust and love—as she held them close, grounded in the middle of all that wild wind. There was a rawness to the moment that I loved capturing: wind tangled in her hair, bare little feet in the grass, and a mama’s fierce love anchoring it all.
As photographers, we’re so often the ones behind the lens, documenting everyone else’s stories. But Kayla stepped in front of the camera with such vulnerability and strength. It was an honor to create these images for her—to freeze this fleeting season of her life with honesty and beauty.
Kayla, thank you for trusting me with your story, for braving the wind, and for letting me into your world for an afternoon. Your love for your children, your deep roots in your home, and your beautiful heart all shine in these images.
Here’s to more windy days, more barefoot memories, and more moments that make motherhood feel like poetry. 💛
— Paulina Slivka
