Before I got pregnant, I tried to keep track of all the cute things I needed to do once I got pregnant. Ways to announce my pregnancy that involved an unholy amount of chalkboard writing, gender reveal photo shoots, pics with the pregnancy test and the ultrasound and the due date spelled out in sprinkles on 17 different ombre cakes…I was gonna be the coolest pregnant lady on the internet, because I had these great ideas and photographer friends to carry out my every Pinterest-y whim.

And then I got pregnant.

And I cared zilch about any of those things. All I wanted to do was drink in the moments, explore my anxiety and excitement and denial and nervousness and complete bliss with my incredible husband. I found myself having to force myself to take photos to document my growing belly, and not feeling like, “oh, why didn’t I do that cute thing?” one single time.

Now, before the craft bloggers of the world come at me with death things: I’m not saying these things are bad, in any way. If 897 date ideas in a jar and a weekly calendar of your pregnant belly and engagement photos with your hands making an infinity sign make your heart blissfully happy, by all means–do it. Craft your crafts and blog your adorable ideas and pin the ish out of them.

But.

I can’t help but think we’re sacrificing what it really means to document incredible moments in our lives and beautiful relationships in favor of the most unique, Pinteresting idea.

It’s become an expectation that we have these things, these photos and these signs and these fancy parties, by which to remember our big life events. Some, I’m all for–hiring a photographer to document your proposal, for example–genius. Capturing a real, overflowing moment that’s usually lost–right up my alley. But if you just wanna enjoy your proposal in privacy without paparazzi, I get that too.

I photograph because I want to know people and the world better by capturing them in the most authentic ways possible.

The details are important, yes, and they will be beautiful. But they will be memorable only if they tell your story.

I’m calling out to all the Pinterest-saturated world, not to stop pinning or crafting or caring about details and unique fresh ideas, but to let the meaningless pieces go and get back to authentic moments of real love that is uniquely your own precisely because you are you and he is him.

I’m going to continue to celebrate the soulfulness that is real love, uncrowded by anything else. If you’d like to join me, I’d love to have you.

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Brooke Schultz is a wild-hearted Utah wedding and lifestyle photographer who adores yoga, glitter, and baking. She photographs blissfully in love couples with romance and class for timeless photos that are aglow with freshness. She thinks everyone should sing at the top of their lungs and go on lots of vacations.

Learn more about what it’s like to be photographed by Brooke Schultz here.