I’m a self-taught photographer based in Charleston, South Carolina, and a mom to two boys who unknowingly taught me just how fleeting these seasons really are.

I decided to pursue photography when my children reached school age and the need for me to be a stay-at-home mom began to shift. I hold a degree in Early Childhood Education, but ultimately chose not to return to the classroom so I could maintain a flexible schedule and be present for my boys — and for the moments that matter most.

Motherhood has a way of quietly changing your perspective. Those gummy smiles turn into big, toothy grins. The sweet baby rolls fade into nonstop toddler energy. Suddenly, your oldest is missing his two front teeth — and before you know it, the song about wanting them for Christmas no longer applies. One day, he won’t need help brushing his teeth at all. (Okay, I’ll stop there — I need a moment.)

Moments are fleeting. They pass in the blink of an eye, and often we don’t realize how quickly they’re gone until we’re already missing them.