Down The Rabbit Hole...my Journey Recreating Baby Hatter’s Tea Party

There are moments and sessions in a photographer's life that give back to the photographer in ways unimaginable. For me, that began in late April of 2016 when my son called me up to tell me that Cousin Brianna was having her baby soon. Unexpected emotions of joy, sadness, excitement and loss all flooded my heart at the same time. With tears welling up I began to go over my plans for her newborn session with special attention to one image in particular.

About twenty years earlier I received a call that Brianna's mom had unexpectedly passed away. I was stunned and devastated-she was so young. With young daughters of my own, all I could think about is the heartbreak of not being able to see them grow up. I cried for the loss of my ex-sister in law and for all the little and big moments in which the loss of her presence would be felt. Since I was no longer married to my son's father, I watched from a distance as she grew up. News of how she was doing or pictures would come from time to time home with my son. Before I knew it, she was all grown up and happily married.

When my son let me know she was expecting her first baby, my thoughts immediately went to Jennifer and my heart reeled with sadness. Without thinking twice, I called Brianna and asked her if I could have the honor of doing her newborn session. I felt so compelled to do this in the memory of her mom as Brianna began this beautiful journey of motherhood herself. I was so excited when she happily agreed and so I went to work.

I am just a bit obsessed with classics like Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan. When I found this little newborn hat and Cheshire cat in an online prop shop I knew it would be beyond perfect as my ex-sister-in-law's maiden name was Cheshire. I called Brianna's amazing step-mom and she rounded up other items we could use from the family in the set including an old family pocket watch. In all honesty I wasn't trying to create something for the world...just something Brianna could hold close to her heart. When I published this on View-bug, I was astounded to see how much the world loved it. Baby Hatter was loved by many!

Before Baby Hatter turned two I decided to return to this idea and possibly think about doing this as a series across time. I had a custom outfit created just for her. In our second session we ventured out to a landscape nursery and were surprised by the arrival of chickens on the set! Baby Hatter adored them and they added so much to the whimsy of this series!

As 2019 got underway I received a text that there would be a new addition to Baby Hatter's family. So off I went trying to think of what we would do next. I called my original vendor and asked if she could make us a bigger Baby Hatter hat and... a dormouse. I built a custom teacup from a planter and hula hoop for new baby dormouse as well as hauled in 10 heavy concrete landscaping pavers for the set. Each set has most of the original details...the teacups...the gold bunny...and the cheshire cat. As we continue to do these sessions in the future I am sure many things will morph but important things will stay the same.

Baby Hatter has given something to me so precious. It is a way for me to remember someone that was my sister for a period of time in my life. We shared our earliest moments of motherhood together. Also it has given me the opportunity to witness the beauty of motherhood unfolding with Brianna. Brianna has grown into an amazing mom that is full of love and kindness. She is such a beautiful soul. I have yet to photograph this sweet, sweet girl's babies without tearing up when she isn't looking and whispering a word skyward, "Jen...she is just amazing. You would be so proud."

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