Back in September, my family spent a long weekend at Pine Knoll Shores. One evening, I set up my tripod to take some auto-timer headshots and invited my daughter to join me for a few test shots. I didn’t plan our outfits or fuss over poses; we simply played in the tide while I clicked the remote shutter release from my phone. When I loaded the images to my computer, I saw a collection of joyful moments that capture us as a duo. Those impromptu photos are now some of my absolute favorites.
As moms, we are quick to take the photos, but often don’t opt to be in the picture ourselves. I am guilty of wanting to feel my best as a condition for getting on the other side of the lens. However, I’ve realized that when my kids see photos from their childhood, they won’t care what my hair looked like…or my clothes…or my body…or my makeup. They will just be happy to see me in the photos. Whether it’s at our yearly professional family portraits or casual phone photos at home, my presence matters to my family.
So now, on to you…
Next time you notice yourself behind the camera again, hand it over to someone else—or set a timer—and get in that frame. Better yet, go ahead and book that family portrait session you’ve been putting off while you wait to be any version other than yourself right now. Your children won’t just want memories of you, they’ll want to see you in those memories.