Dear Darling Project
What is the Dear Darling Project? I created this passion project to bring back date nights/days for the parents that miss having them and are looking to spend an hour or two reconnecting with each other. These date nights/days are based off a super cool book, The Adventure Challenge. Each couple that does one of these dates with me will be photographed during the process so not only do you get some quality time together, but you’re also getting quality photos together.
Why did I create the Dear Darling Project? As parents, our time becomes consumed with our family and kids and household duties. It’s fine, really, it’s life. But I hear so often that we end up falling into this almost roommate mindset with our partners. We love them still and obviously we still want that forever with them, but our commitments and priorities have shifted a bit in this season of parenthood. It’s fine, normal even. But what if we said that it shouldn’t be totally normal and we built a project around reigniting the dates?
When Jack and I became parents my mom was big on pushing the 2-2-2 rule. A date night every 2 weeks, a weekend away every 2 months, and a week long trip every 2 years. We barely manage (we really don’t even manage) the date night part because life so I get it. I also know that when we do have date night it is an actual effort to not have our conversation revolving entirely around our son for the night. This season of parenthood is fleeting, and I think so many of us our constantly telling ourselves that it’s not our time to focus on us as a couple right now, we’ll get that in 18 years. 18 years is a long time though and I want to help couples find the fun in a date where they can focus on the two of them. No kids, no phones, only each other (and me as a photographer photographing the date, but ya know we take what we can get on these date nights/days).
Being real though, as parents we allow ourselves to skip out on date and have let go of having nice pictures in place of a tv binge where someone is bound to fall asleep on the couch 15 minutes in and cell phone selfies (or maybe we toss the phone to a relative to get a semi-nice photo that will still likely not end up on our walls or even fridge). I am so excited to start this project and give back the spark for the parents that need just a little bit of time together being themselves, not just parents.
How does the Dear Darling Project work? Each month join me on Live through Instagram (I think it also connects to Facebook but no promises there). During the live I will scratch off that months date adventure and randomly pick a couple that has signed up to be part of the project. That couple will have 48 hours to accept or decline the date so we can get planning on the details. If the original couple declines, they will get added back into the pool and I will pick another couple at random.
Are there requirements for joining/signing up/being part of this? Very few! I would really like this to be focused on parents that are looking for some quality made time together, therefore would appreciate only parents participating in this. These sessions are part of a passion project where I am not requiring any kind of payment to me, however I will be requiring a signed model release to use the images on social media/website/marketing materials. The only money required for this is if a date adventure has us going to a venue where we need to pay to get in/do the activity. Otherwise I provide everything needed.
I also ask that each couple be open to being styled for their session. I want the outfits to still feel like you, but sticking to certain clothing and colors will be requested (all of which you can find for cheap at Walmart/Target/Primark if you don’t have anything).
Lastly, since this is meant to focus on the parents connecting with each other I highly recommend finding a sitter or some child care while you’re doing our date adventure. I understand that things happen and childcare isn’t always possible. For a lot of date adventures, children can definitely tag along. However, the focus of the shoot will be on the parents and the children will not be photographed. Even more, some of the sessions will range from 30 minutes to 60 minutes so I always suggest making more out of it and planning on adding on something else for literally just the two of you after.
Want to sign up for a chance to be part of the Dear Darling Project? You can sign up by filling out this form.