The anticipation of a new family member awaits
Storyteller: Tori Carle, United States
When reflecting on special milestone moments, we all have different ways of preserving memories. Some of us keep a journal, others save mementos in a scrapbook, but most would agree that creating a photo book or album is the perfect way to capture the essence of the most transformative periods of their lives. Tori chose to make a Premium Photo Book to commemorate a period full of change and growth - buying a house, getting engaged, and preparing for the arrival of her baby boy. Here she shares the background behind making her beautiful keepsake, the stories behind the photos, and what it means to start a new chapter with a little one on the way.
What format did you choose to create your keepsake and why?
I chose to make a Premium Photo Book because I knew it would last. I love the idea of our friends and family members sitting down with us for coffee or dessert, flipping through the book. It’s an heirloom that doubles as décor!
Why did you create your keepsake?
I created this keepsake to freeze time. So much has happened in the past year or so, between buying a house and renovating it, traveling, getting engaged, and finding out I was pregnant. I know the coming years will move quickly too, and I don’t ever want to forget how it’s felt lately - so full of hope and excitement for the future.
What image do you love most from your keepsake?
My favorite image is the one of us kissing in the kitchen. Mike and I met at the gym and became casual friends. I wasn’t even sure if I was interested him as more than that for a while! It wasn’t some fairytale story - just two regular people who started hanging out then dating. This picture feels romantic to me, and when I first saw it, I realized that what we have is normal, but romantic too. I guess it’s a reminder that love doesn’t have to be fast and strong like in the movies. Instead, it can be slow and sure, deepening over time.
What is a beloved story behind a single shot in the book?
There’s a shot in the book where we’re in the kitchen making coffee and you can see the phone in Mike’s back pocket. This scene feels the most like us day-to-day. Mike’s a big multi-tasker who wakes up eager to answer emails and take calls, grabbing caffeine and an easy breakfast to eat at his desk. I prefer a slower morning, sipping my coffee and reading outside with an Indie Folk playlist on in the background. This photo is the in between, when I’m able to steal him for a few minutes and sneak in a hug or two before we start our days.
What does your keepsake mean to you and your family?
What does this keepsake mean to our family? Well, it actually defines it. I look at these photos and see an unfinished kitchen backsplash, mismatched cabinets, coffee beans from our local shop, and the “L” bracelet my sister gave me with our future son’s initial on it. I see our porch full of plants where our dog spends all her time, ceramic pots and vases I’ve thrifted, and the bird bath I insist on using as a side table. I saw a post on an Instagram post not too long ago that said, “Date idea: Let’s buy a house and have a baby together” and in a nutshell, that’s what we did. If this book had a title, that’s what it’d be.
What inspires you to take photos in general?
I’m inspired by photos that recreate moments in time, like when I can almost feel the sun on my face just by looking at them. My long-term memory is pretty horrible too, so taking photos is how I’m able to keep memories alive as time passes.
What bit of advice would you offer to someone creating their own MILK memento?
Make something that feels like you!
From small, special memories in the kitchen to meaningful moments during their morning routine, this MILK Photo Book is a heartwarming reference to the emotions they’re experiencing before the arrival of their son. Each page is a snapshot of love and the simple, yet powerful, moments that make life feel so rich. This photo book will serve as a treasured reminder of a milestone filled with growth and the promise of new beginnings. Visit the MILK Gallery for more inspiration from stunning family books like this one.
