let them be themselves + celebrate it :: inspired shoot with finley and oliver + tutorial :: laura winslow photography

 

“Be eccentric, if you are. Be brilliant, if you are. Be loud, if you are. Do not inhibit yourself from being who you’re supposed to be.”

{Appliqued Tees from Finley and Oliver}

When I think of my wishes for my children, one that I often hope for is that they will be loved, respected and nurtured for the unique little beings that they are.  That their differences among their peers will be celebrated rather than squelched.  That they will love themselves for all the amazing qualities that are inside of them and never feel badly about them.  That they will look at the world with unaffected eyes and that when they look at a person, they see a human being and not color, handicap, physical appearance or being different.  That they will see a person whose story is waiting to be told, whose life is waiting to enrich theirs.  That if they do see differences in others, which will naturally happen, that they will be accepting and see the absolute beauty in difference.  Does this seem idyllic? Perhaps, but I also firmly believe that children see what you teach them to see.  That children that are exposed to the multitude of beliefs and body types and languages begin to see the world as something so much bigger than themselves, as something that they are a beautiful part of.

As the day Jackson will begin kindergarten in August becomes closer, I worry about this more and more. Children can be harsh and cruel sometimes, and I worry both about how others will treat him and how he will be influenced to treat others.  I hope if he does falter that I can help him understand why differences are amazing and why everyone should be treated kindly.  Children are children and will inevitably see hatred and harsh words, and perhaps they will even pick up on this themselves. But as a parent, I do hope I can teach tolerance and love if this does happen…

One of the best things we can do as parents, friends, daughters and humans is to build others up.  To truly see their strengths and to encourage them, appreciate them.  Big or little, these fun tees that were created by the talented Grace of Finley and Oliver are a public statement of love and acceptance.  Grace is a dear friend of mine (and an amazing mother) and when we brainstormed this session and what we wanted to “say”, we found that the JUST BE resonated with us as parents.  Encourage your children to BE COOL.  BE RAD. BE KIND. JUST BE YOU.  The one and only you…

It was a dream to photograph these sweet little souls under a blanket of peaches, sun peeking through and the juicy nectar dripping down their faces.   Grace always has THE best and most fun diy tutorials on her awesome blog, and she once again gives you all the inside deets on how to make these tees part of your own child’s wardrobe.  Visit her fabulous blog post HERE to read the tutorial and check out her fabulous photo-how-to.  You are going to looove it!

As the sun began to set, our little models moved around back to play with Grace’s chickens, smell the sweet flowers, run around, play dump trucks and to stop for a well-earned snack of Swedish fish…now THAT’S something to toast to.

{BE} appliqued tees + tanks | Finley + Oliver

Headband | Banner Boutique

“You were born to be real, not to be perfect.  You’re here to be you, not to be what someone else wants you to be.  Stand up for yourself, look them in the eye, and say Don’t judge me until you know me, don’t underestimate me until you’ve challenged me, and don’t talk about me until you’ve talked to me.”

~author unknown.

xoxo,

laura