Art of Love Photography

Where your story becomes a Masterpiece

Understanding Your Partner’s Needs

Have you ever looked at your partner and thought, I love them so much, so why donโ€™t they feel it? Youโ€™re doing everything you know to show your love, yet somehow, itโ€™s just not landing. Itโ€™s a frustrating feeling, isnโ€™t it? But hereโ€™s the thingโ€”your partner probably feels the same way about you.

Letโ€™s talk about this, because itโ€™s one of those things thatโ€™s so common in relationships but rarely discussed.


What We Donโ€™t Say Speaks the Loudest

Hereโ€™s a truth Iโ€™ve learned (the hard way, mind you): love isnโ€™t just about what you feel; itโ€™s about what you communicate. And sometimes, the way we communicate doesnโ€™t match what our partner needs.

Think about it: your partner might say everythingโ€™s fine, but their tone or body language might hint otherwise. Maybe theyโ€™ve mentioned little things they wish youโ€™d do, but you didnโ€™t realize how important those things were to them.

This isnโ€™t about blameโ€”itโ€™s about awareness. Because most of us arenโ€™t mind readers (if you are, lucky you!). Instead, weโ€™re all just trying to do the best we can with the tools we have.


Listening Without Words

You donโ€™t need a long, deep conversation to start understanding your partner better. Sometimes, the clues are in the things they donโ€™t say.

  • Complaints can be insights. For example, โ€œYouโ€™re always on your phoneโ€ might really mean, โ€œI miss connecting with you.โ€
  • Actions speak volumes. Does your partner love to leave little notes for you or plan special dinners? Maybe theyโ€™re showing you how theyโ€™d like to be loved in return.
  • Reactions tell a story. Notice when they light up. Was it when you complimented them? When you offered to help with a task? Those moments matter.

And hereโ€™s a secret: just by being curious and paying attention, youโ€™re already halfway there.


Assumptions Are Tricky Things

I canโ€™t tell you how many times Iโ€™ve thought I was hitting the mark with someone I cared aboutโ€”only to find out I wasnโ€™t even close. You ever been there?

Itโ€™s easy to assume our partner needs the same things we do. If you love gifts, you might assume theyโ€™ll feel the same way when you surprise them with something. But what if they value quality time more? What if theyโ€™d trade every gift for one evening of undivided attention?

The truth is, we all love differently. And thatโ€™s not a bad thing. It just means we need to slow down and ask:

  • โ€œWhat makes you feel really loved?โ€
  • โ€œWhatโ€™s something Iโ€™ve done that made you feel special?โ€
  • โ€œIs there something you wish I understood about you?โ€

These questions arenโ€™t meant to be heavy or intimidating. Theyโ€™re invitations to connect.


Have You Heard of Love Languages?

If you havenโ€™t, let me introduce you. Theyโ€™re kind of a game changer. Love languages are basically the ways we give and receive love, and they fall into five categories:

  1. Words of Affirmation: Compliments, encouragement, and loving words.
  2. Acts of Service: Doing thoughtful things like cooking dinner or folding the laundry.
  3. Receiving Gifts: Itโ€™s not about the costโ€”itโ€™s about the thought behind the gift.
  4. Quality Time: Spending focused, intentional time together.
  5. Physical Touch: Hugs, hand-holding, kisses, and cuddles.

Understanding your partnerโ€™s love language can make all the difference. And itโ€™s actually kind of fun to figure it out together.


A Safe Place to Reconnect

Now, letโ€™s get personal for a second. Relationships thrive when both people feel seen and valued, right? But sometimes, life gets in the way. Work, kids, routinesโ€”they all pull our attention in a million directions.

Thatโ€™s where a Soul Speak Session comes in. These sessions arenโ€™t just about taking photos (though, trust me, the photos will be stunning). Theyโ€™re about creating a moment to pause, to reflect, and to reconnect with the person you love most.

Imagine sitting across from your partner, sharing a quiet moment where the world melts away, and itโ€™s just the two of you. Thatโ€™s the kind of magic we create.


So, What Now?

Letโ€™s keep this simple. Take a moment tonightโ€”maybe over dinner, maybe while youโ€™re winding downโ€”and ask your partner, โ€œWhatโ€™s something small I can do to make you feel loved this week?โ€

Itโ€™s a small question, but it can open the door to so much more. And if youโ€™re ready to take it even further, Iโ€™d love to help you create a moment youโ€™ll treasure forever with a Soul Speak Session.

Stay tuned for Part 3, where weโ€™ll talk about breaking down the barriers that keep us from expressing love fully. Itโ€™s going to get real, but in the best way.