Letting Your Kids Dress Themselves Can Be Silly But It's Also Delightful (PHOTOS)

posted by Tracey Clark October 8, 2012 at 1:18 PM in Big Kid

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by Kristen Doyle

Today's photo series is a vibrant and adorable dress-up series from mom and blogger Kristen Doyle. It's not always convenient when your children pick out their own clothes, especially when what they choose doesn't fit your own vision. However, when you look at pictures like these, you can't help but be smitten! So many of these images take me back to the times when my own daughter couldn't choose between a cowgirl and princess, so she tried them both (at the same time). Every mom can relate to these "expressive" stages of childhood. Kristen's right, it's all part of the package of growing up.

Kids Watching TV Is Absolutely Beautiful (PHOTOS)

posted by Tracey Clark October 1, 2012 at 7:30 AM in Big Kid

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by Xanthe Berkeley

Just when I thought I might be the only mom with an appreciation for TV time (in moderation of course *cough cough*), photographer and mom Xanthe Berkeley shares this exquisite collection of black and white images that so poetically pay homage to exactly that -- kids watching TV! Xanthe is able to take these everyday moments in which her boys are obviously transported to a totally different place and time and capture them with such artistry. There is nothing finer.

Kids Grow Up Right Before Our Eyes (PHOTOS)

posted by Tracey Clark September 24, 2012 at 1:06 PM in Big Kid

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by Ciaran BlumenfeldEach image that Ciaran Blumenfeld shares in today's photo series touches on two universal themes that moms witness daily: growth and change -- and how it happens right before our eyes. From the milestones of her youngest child to the pensive portait of her tween daughter and everything "in between," these windows into motherhood strike a chord and remind us how fleeting the moments of childhood really are.

Saying Goodbye to Summer Is Bittersweet (PHOTOS)

posted by Tracey Clark September 17, 2012 at 8:36 AM in Big Kid

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by Adriana Botello

As a mother, the seasonal switch from summer to fall is always bittersweet. Capturing those fleeting moments through my lens is like magic for me. Today, photographer and mom Adriana Botello shares her own magical and intimate view into the final days of her own family's summer. Adriana’s photos are wistful and dreamy and express a nostalgic flare that works perfectly for this time of year. I am so pleased to feature her photo story at Life, Exposed and when you're done here, be sure to take a peek at Adriana's I Am Here photo project too. Very sweet!

First Day of School: Starting Off on the Right Foot (PHOTOS)

posted by Tracey Clark September 10, 2012 at 11:56 AM in Big Kid

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by Tracey Clark

I am thrilled to say hello from my new home here at The Stir. I am a mom and a photographer, but my new column is not about me; it’s about all of us.

Each week in this column, parents just like you and me will share the collective story of parenting through their photographs. Raising kids in, by far, the most photographed generation to date, we take pictures of everything from birthdays and bath time to first steps and first dances and every minute in between. And with every image comes those important reminders: that our lives matter, that every day is a gift, and that parenting is the most amazing thing in the world (even in the midst of absurdities, chaos, and challenges). I cannot wait to share with you a weekly glimpse into the lives of some very talented parents and the moments that matter most to them.

Without further ado, I welcome you to Life, Exposed.