Merry Ohler, Kansas City’s award-winning, published storytelling photographer, shares some of her favorite “Mama” work, highlighting beautiful, strong mothers.

you can't hear me, but i'm clapping for you. isn't new life gorgeous on these mamas? next, click through to view some perfect, precious Tinies or view some of the most in love real life couples you've ever seen.

babies

couples

Something different.
•
•
•
•
•
#naturallightportrait #silhouettecameo #portraitstream

“But the last one: the baby who trails her scent like a flag of surrender through your life when there will be no more coming after - oh, that's love by a different name.

She is the babe you hold in your arms for an hour after she's gone to sleep.

If you put her down in the crib, she might wake up changed and fly away.

So instead you rock by the window, drinking the light from her skin, breathing her exhaled dreams.

Your heart bays to the double crescent moons of closed lashes on her cheeks.

She's the one you can't put down.” | Barbara Kingsolver

#rawmotherhood #motherhoodquotes #documentaryphotographer

The thing about motherhood is that we are unable to fully grasp what it really is to be a mother until we ourselves become one.

We can appreciate. We can be grateful. We can love.

But there’s no way for us to fully grasp the magnitude of a life poured out until we ourselves become the ones who are doing the pouring.

And then! The emotions that surface and rush over us in a flood! We discover what it means to spend oneself physically, emotionally, and mentally, as we raise up the precious beings entrusted to our care. And all the while, we begin to recognize and comprehend what our own mothers might have felt not so very long ago.

The tide changes, because suddenly we SEE them. We SEE the cost, and the sacrifice, and the gift. We SEE their hearts, and we have empathy because now we, too, feel something of what they felt, what they feel.

Then one day, we discover that while we have been washing the dishes,
and wiping the noses,
and folding the laundry,
our mothers have been becoming even more than our mothers.

They have become

Our heroes.
Our mentors.
Our friends.

#rawmotherhood #candidchildhood

The siren song of summer beckons, friends, and I’m currently kinda in love with this summery photo of our almost-Irish twins, Elle & Ezzy.

You know, I’ve never really been the biggest fan of summer (heat, sweat, bugs, eww), but the truth is that this mama is BEYOND ready to spend some warmer days outdoors adventuring with my crew.

How about you? What are you most looking forward to when the weather finally warms up?
.
.
.
.
.
#realmotherhood #motherhoodthroughinstagram #motherhoodslens #motherhoodrising #momentslikethese #motherhoodjourney #lemonadeandlenses #momtog #momtogcommunity #candidchildhood #motherhoodunplugged #morningslikethese #hellostoryteller #everysquareastory #portraitstream #kcphotographer #wellwateredwomen #proverbs31woman #midwestmama #instakc #igkc #bw⚫️⚪️ #bwphoto #documentaryphotography #documentaryphotographer #mermaidhairdontcare #irishtwins #summerdays☀️#mymotherhood #myhonestmotherhood

If you were a boat my darling
A boat my darling
I'd be the wind at your back

If you were afraid my darling
Afraid my darling
I'd be the courage you lack.

Oh, do you know we belong together.
Oh, do you know my heart is yours.

Boat Song, JJ Heller.
.
.
.
.
.
#birthwithoutfear
#birthwithconfidence
#kansascity
#kansascitybirth
#kansascitybirthphotographer
#hellostoryteller
#dearstoryteller
#thesincerestoryteller
#birthphotography #everysquareastory #mymotherhood #morningslikethese
#igkc #instakc #midwestmoment
#midwestphotographer
#birth #birthbecomesher #fresh48 #freshbaby #newbaby #motherhoodunplugged #thisismotherhood #naturalbirth #cultivatemotherhood #cultivatewhatmatters #bnw_life_shots #birthwarrior #documentaryphotography #newbornphoto

Oh, my heart. Bring me all your wrinkly-faced babies, immediately.
.
.
.
.
.
#birthwithoutfear
#birthwithconfidence
#kansascity
#kansascitybirth
#kansascitybirthphotographer
#hellostoryteller
#dearstoryteller
#thesincerestoryteller
#birthphotography
#igkc #instakc #midwestmoment
#midwestphotographer
#birth #birthbecomesher #fresh48 #freshbaby #newbaby #motherhoodunplugged #thisismotherhood #naturalbirth #cultivatemotherhood #cultivatewhatmatters #documentary #bnw_life_shots #birthwarrior #documentaryphotography

One of the BEST perks of being on the world’s welcoming committee is that I am often among the first few who are privileged to know when mamas and daddies find out they are expecting a baby. This week, I am elated and praying for FIVE sweet couples who shared their amazing news 👶🏽👶🏻👶🏾👶🏼👶 with me! 😭😭🥰Bring on the Tinies! It’s going to be a sweet and snuggly autumn! .
.
.
.
.
#birthwithoutfear
#everysquareastory
#motherhoodrising #motherhoodslens #familyoffour
#kansascity
#kansascitybirth
#kansascitybirthphotographer
#hellostoryteller
#dearstoryteller
#thesincerestoryteller
#mymotherhood
#igkc #chooselife #midwestmoment
#midwestphotographer
#midwestmoment #birthbecomesher #fresh48 #freshbaby #newbaby #motherhoodunplugged #thisismotherhood #naturalbirth #cultivatemotherhood #cultivatewhatmatters #everylifematters #bnw_life_shots #birthwarrior #documentaryphotography

fully loved. fully wanted.
.
.
.
.
.
#birthwithoutfear
#everysquareastory
#motherhoodrising #motherhoodslens #familyoffour
#kansascity
#kansascitybirth
#kansascitybirthphotographer
#hellostoryteller
#dearstoryteller
#thesincerestoryteller
#mymotherhood
#igkc #instakc #midwestmoment
#midwestphotographer
#midwestmoment #birthbecomesher #fresh48 #freshbaby #newbaby #motherhoodunplugged #thisismotherhood #naturalbirth #cultivatemotherhood #cultivatewhatmatters #kansascity #bnw_life_shots #birthwarrior #documentaryphotography

follow

Merry Ohler is a published, award-winning storytelling photographer in Kansas City, serving the greater Midwest and beyond. Along with weddings and elopements, she offers emotive documentary motherhood portraits (including maternity, birth and newborn photography), as well as documentary family photography. Merry also specializes in corporate event and commercial photography. Merry resides in Kansas City with her husband, Jamie, three little ones (5 and under!) and entirely too many Legos.