We sat down for a chat with photographer Harper Smith and wardrobe stylist Amy Soderlind — two inspiring moms who give some insight on what motherhood means to them.

I am a photographer with 2 kiddos...Kitt Cassidy (lil dude age 4) and Billie Pierre (little mama 7 days old). My husband, Cameron Duddy is 1/3 of a band called Midland.

Motherhood is a privilege. I never saw myself as maternal and really feared being a mom...as I was driven to establish my career and thought both wouldn't be possible. Its been really rewarding putting all the pieces of this puzzle together and making it all work. I feel it's an honor to be these kids mom.

I am not sure I do balance it haha. The motto is ONE DAY AT A TIME. I also have let go of allowing myself the freedom to pursue a career, even if it means I have to travel and leave the kids behind. Letting go of the guilt was very hard, but I have learned how to manage it. I just make it count when I am present and I limit distractions so I can give them my all.

Whats free time? (laughs) I have a ceramic studio which I have dubbed "my favorite hiding spot". It's my #1 decompression zone. Also rock climbing and love cooking/baking.

She taught me the art of looking for beauty and creative inspiration in the smallest things. My whole childhood was filled with her pulling over in the car to stare (and often tear up) over beautiful landscapes. She also loved taking me to museums and talking shop. She was an art teacher and I like to think I was her favorite student.

I cant even try! It's more the everyday things...like how he wont take off his wellies no matter the weather... Or the way he rubs my arm to put himself to sleep at night... And how you can make him laugh just by staring at him for an awkward amount of time...

They are pure and kind and honest with their feelings. They live in a simple world free from all the extra fluff ...it's liberating to be around. I want to lead by example. My #1 hope for the both of them is that they live a life filled with happiness and that they are good people who bring those around them joy.

Lonesome Dove, The Outsider, The War on Drugs

Sharing my new baby girl with the world.

Amy Soderlind

I work as a stylist. My love, Lauren, is a farmer. We live off the land on 90 acres with a little farm; grow our food, have some chickens, and lots of space to roam — our driveway is 15 minutes of dirt, straight up a hill to 2,500 feet. Its quite literally in the middle of nowhere. I had so many apprehensions of buying this place and living so far removed, but now, more than ever, I’m seeing why the internal voice was screaming to do it. Our two sons are Myles (6) an Sol (2).

It means complete and utter surrender to the love and vulnerability of loving someone so much- its scary. There is only so much you can know or control. They are your heart embodied. On the other hand — it also means giving up your body, your spliffs, your wine, your free time… you know… all that too...

This quarantine has me thinking about free time like some past life — I know I lived it once but nothing in me presently can recollect it. Mom life and work is a constant juggle and I don't think I’ll ever feel like Ive done either as best as i can. Thats the revolving door. I took a year off when each of them was born to simply “be” with this new life we created — alongside all the pain and agony, joy and complete and utter love. Once they turned one, I started taking jobs again. Lauren steps up when I leave for a week at a time. Then I try and take enough days in between long stints to be in a good flow with them again. Work has become a time where I have to find my personal time in — if I'm on a 10 day job and staying in a hotel, thats when I don't get drinks with the team and instead go do facemarks and stretch and take a long bath. Personal “Me” time is still challenging once I get to the front door of home.

Have fun. Get dirty. Laugh. Roll on the floor with them…. Love, love , love. See them, make sure they know they are always seen and heard.

Every trip we have taken. Bali and Oaxaca with both…. Traveling light, warm humid nights… swimming naked and watching them soak up the beautiful people and their culture.

They inspire me to be in the moment- to live now, to open my eyes, be in awe of a color of a flower or the taste of a ripe watermelon. The small moments we often rush through and take for granted… they are there to say “there there, slow down, enjoy this here cold water. we are so lucky”. I hope and strive to inspire them in ways of an open mind and loving spirit. I just want to raise good future men… men that are full of kindness and love. Also… good taste in music, food, and a deep relationship with nature.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Ponyo, Spirited Away… boys and I agree on Hayao Miyazaki. Talking Heads “Naive Melody”.

Cant wait to have a weekend river campout with my lady friends — been missing them a lot during this. Least? Probably the very things that are driving me crazy now, while I'm in it. I may never experience a time to be able to be at home… to really “be” with my children in our space with no agenda and time stamp before leaving on a trip. There is part of me that really loves a week of seven Sundays and maybe one Friday… trying my best to enjoy this slow time with them while I have it.

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