Fifteen years ago, I met a woman on the verge of becoming a mother. She is the inspiration for this Mother’s Day Portrait Giveaway.

She was equal parts happiness and sheer terror. So excited for the arrival of her little one, yet terrified that something would go wrong. She had suffered a miscarriage previously, alone, and the fear of what might be never left her. Maternity portraits were on her list, and she wanted them dearly, but was afraid to schedule them, thinking it might jinx this pregnancy. So, she skipped them.

Instead, the day before her baby came, she asked a friend to take a simple photo of her near the Mississippi River at The Fly. For her photo, she wanted the curve of the river in the background. She threw on jeans and a cardigan, curled her hair, put on a little makeup, and went for her photo. Technically, she was on bed rest, so it was a small splurge – but she wanted at least one photo to remember her bond she had created with her baby before she was even born.

That woman was me – and the experience shaped my entire view of motherhood. From that moment, I vowed to always cherish the bond between a mother and her child. To help other women be in the photos so they had those memories to hold onto and keep close to their heart.

The women who take the most photos show up in them the least

Mothers take most of the family photos. They’re behind the camera at every birthday, every first day of school, every ordinary Tuesday that needs a photo. Yet when you scroll back through years of family photos, they’re barely there.

I’ve heard every version of this: “I’ll get photos done when I lose the weight.” “I don’t like how I look right now.” “Maybe next year when things calm down.” “My son is too wild/my daughter is too fussy.” “I don’t know what to wear.” “My husband doesn’t think they are important.”

But here’s what I can promise you: your children don’t care. It doesn’t matter that you aren’t perfect. The chaos of your family IS perfection. Most importantly, if you think the photos are important – THEY ARE IMPORTANT. No matter what anyone else thinks. Your children will want proof that you existed in their lives — they will look for you in the photos.

So for this Mother’s Day Giveaway, I want to hear your story

To celebrate the moms out there, I’m giving away one complimentary portrait session — but it’s not random. Here’s the details:

I’ve created a short application where you can share your story of motherhood with me. It might be joyful. Perhaps it is hard. Maybe it is both at once. I want to hear about the moments that made you feel the full weight of mothering someone (or something), the parts that were difficult to talk about, and what you hope people feel someday when they look at photos of you.

I’ll personally read every single one. And I’ll choose the story that moves me most.

Who this is for

This isn’t just for mothers in the traditional sense of the word. There are many mothers in this world that have never born a child. This is for all of you. For the mother who has been through something she hasn’t quite found the words for yet. A mom navigating infertility, or loss, or the complicated grief of a relationship with her own mother. The one who is single-parenting and exhausted and still showing up. Women who adopted, or fostered, or stepped in when someone else couldn’t do it. A grandmother raising grandchildren. The woman who mothered without the title. A teacher that shows up for her students every single day. The friend that saves hundreds of dogs and gives them a second chance at life. All of you have a chance to win this Mother’s Day Giveaway.

What a session with me looks like

I want you to feel like yourself — which means I spend time getting to know you before we ever pick up a camera. We talk about your story, what makes you comfortable, what you’ve always wanted to capture. The session itself is unhurried. There is no rush, no forced posing, no pressure to perform a version of yourself you’ve never actually been.

What I’m after is the real thing: the laugh you can’t control, the look you give your kid without realizing it, the quiet in between. Those are the images people keep. Come alone, bring your kids, bring your dog/horse/cat/lizard, bring whatever makes you happy.

How to apply

The application takes about five minutes. There are no wrong answers. You don’t need to write perfectly — just write honestly. Submit your application for your chance to win the Mother’s Day Giveaway.

Applications close May 5th. I’ll reach out to the mother I select by May 9th, and the session will take place in September, 2026.

→ Apply here: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/63b4dbba7d2b8bc4c7ef7b49

Whether or not you’re selected, I’m glad you’re here. And I hope that whatever season of motherhood you’re in right now, you know: this version of you is worth remembering.

Teena Whitmore is a portrait photographer based in New Orleans, LA. Her work focuses on celebrating women and the stories they carry. To learn more or inquire about a session, visit www.teenawhitmore.com.