Personal | Tanja de Maesschalk // Photography

26 February, 2019 In Personal, Photography, Portraits

EMMA T H I R T E E N

Stop time.

Or, no.

Or, yes.

Or… just turn back time so I can smell newborns again.

Or maybe no.

Because the NOW is amazing.

I realise I may sound like a big hot mess writing this. I feel like I was thrown into a time vortex and was just catapulted out the other end.

My baby girl is thirteen today. This means she can officially call herself a teenager.

Emma. You are part of a generation where not only friends and parents, but a wide array of influencers are part of your world. I love how you are sceptical and careful, yet elegantly curate what you choose to share. We sometimes discuss what works and what doesn’t and why. I love how you see the world, be it the real or virtual one.

The overthinker in you is slowly giving way to this reflected, opinionated, decisive assertive young woman. I love to see you grow and bloom! You are at the start of your 13th year here and it will be a transitional one. High school is right around the corner. You are more confident than I´d ever imagined. And you will take on the challenges ahead with grace. Of this I am certain.

My Em… I love you. Know you can always come to me. I will listen, and promise to never ever judge or flinch. I will listen and promise to say nothing. I will listen and just hold you.

Forever, mom.

28 February, 2018 In Personal, Photography, Portraits

T W E L V E

It was yesterday. Please tell me it was just yesterday that you came into my life.

That´s how it feels.

Yet here we are, twelve years later. In front of me stands this young lady. Frail, yet poised, and elegant.

My little thinker isn´t little anymore.

Dear Em, you are growing up so elegantly, reflecting upon life, and the situations at hand. It´s such a joy to watch you grow and flourish as you meander from childhood into puberty.

How fortunate I am to be your mom.

I love you to the moon and back.

Mamma

28 February, 2016 In Lifestyle, Personal, Photography, Portraits

Happy 10 Emma

You turned ten yesterday. That notion is hard to grasp as it feels like you were a baby just a few seconds ago. But a full decade has passed since you came to the world. Ten wonderfully warm years filled with your kindness. I´m so happy that you are in my life♡

I love you.

Mamma

Du ble 10 i går. Det er jo nesten ufattelig at et helt tiår har gått siden du ble født. Ti fantastike år med skjønne deg! Jeg er så glad i deg og så glad for at du er i mitt liv.

Glad i deg.

Mamma

15 February, 2016 In Personal, Photography

Personal Project – Blue

Tanja de Maesschalk

Personal projects are a great adventure that often lead us through the most unlikely of paths. Our intention in starting this project is to hone our skills and see where this particular path takes us. We would love it if you joined us on this adventure.

Our intention is for the images to do the talking. We believe a single moment captured forever in a photograph can speak volumes. These images require no words and at the same time, tell a whole story.

Every other month, we will choose a single image to share with you. These images will usually follow a theme. By seeing, we hope you hear our voices.

If you’d like to visit other participating photographers to see their interpretations, follow the links:

Vinita Salome | Natalie Carstens | Tanja de Maesschalk

9 November, 2015 In Personal, Photography

Personal Project – Light

Every other month, we will choose a single image to share with you. These images will usually follow a theme. By seeing, we hope you hear our voices.

If you’d like to visit other participating photographers to see their interpretations, follow the links:

Vinita Salome | Natalie Carstens | Tanja de Maesschalk

A personal post by Tanja de Maesschalk - www.tanjademaesschalk.com (4)

28 June, 2013 In Personal

On milestones and motherhood

This was going to be about my youngest child Lisa.But it’s not…really. I have to admit that – rather selfishly – it’s about me. About myself as a mother and my feelings of powerlessness with the passing of time. I sit here and realise that yet again time has slipped through my fingers.

There is an ambivalence to seeing our kids grow up. As a mother I want them to be happy, do well and grow into mindful, confident and compassionate adults. But with each birthday I can’t help but feel a sense of sadness creeping up on me. Why is there no pause or rewind button on these kids???

Lisa is our youngest. Our little surprise who makes our lives very eventful. She went from baby to toddler at warp speed. My baby who was wide awake and looked me straight in the eye from day one. This one was going places and wasn’t wasting any time. Clever little thing! It feels as if she came into this world only yesterday, yet today is her last day in preschool.

So here we are… all preschooled out. Ready for a new chapter. We officially have three schoolkids now. Wow… there I said it.

You go girl, go and spread your beautiful wings. Be your best self and follow your kind heart, my little starchild!

I love you.

Mommy.

Here she is on her first day at preschool on the left, and with her diploma at her graduation.

Ik zou een stukje schrijven over mijn jongste dochtertje Lisa, maar eigenlijk gaat het gewoon over mezelf. Over moederschap en tijd… hoe de tijd vliegt en onze kindjes niet te stoppen zijn. Hierbij foto’s van de diplomauitreiking van de derde kleuterklas. Op naar een nieuw hoofdstuk!

23 April, 2012 In Personal, Photography, Portraits

When did you turn 6?

This is a hard one to write. Why, I’m not sure.

Emma is our second child. I cannot explain how wonderful it was to know that we were having a girl after an amazing little boy. Emma came into our lives and made everything pink!

Emma Louise is such an amazing little girl. She’s our little thinker. The girl who communicates with butterflies and God and comes up with the most amazing storylines for Ken and Barbie’s life. Being gifted never comes without baggage. And her sensitivity is something we’ve learned to help her with. Being able to talk about her feelings has been a huge outlet for her.

This little girl is growing up so fast – almost too fast. Maybe that’s why it has taken me forever to write this post. I get so emotional when I see time slipping away and my children growing up. Each new year is celebrated, but a part of me just wants to rewind and cuddle my babies just once more. I wish I could.

I’m sharing a few shots of my Em – who never seizes to amaze me.

xoxo

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