I am fanatic about photography. After the word ‘no’ my children probably first said “no more pictures”. Or at least they thought it. There aren’t many fans of my paparazzi ways. I can’t tell you how many photographs I have of the backs of heads as family would turn away from my camera, or hands put up to ward off the lens.
The drawbacks of my obsession with photography (other than those my family would list)? I have an extremely difficult time publishing/printing imperfect images, even if they perfectly illustrate meaningful times of my life. And while I love being behind the camera, I do not like being on the other side…I know that I am not alone, I can’t think of many people (with the exception of models) over the age of 6 that LIKE having their photo taken.
During the last several years, my family has suffered some very painful losses. As we sorted through images, there were realizations that in some cases we had no record of entire YEARS, if not decades. I also realized that if I didn’t get in front of the camera at least some of the time (and keep those “imperfect” images), my children would have nothing to remember me by – except pictures of them with everyone but me.
I will not let that happen to my loved ones, and neither should you. Four tips to stay on track:
1. Remember to photograph everyone in your life, including yourself. Do it frequently. The images do not always have to be professional – simply having them is a blessing. Keep the camera near, and document. In addition to milestones (the first day of school, graduation, etc) be sure to snap the every day moments – bath time and bedtime, reading a book in the corner, haircuts, and family game night. Hand your camera to the “non-photographer” in the family and ask them to make sure you get in a few images!! Need pics of you and your spouse? Hand the camera to the kids. Turns out the every day details are my favorite photos…those, and the snaps of me with my children. And if they are blurry? All the better to hide the wrinkles my dear.
2. Get your images PRINTED. Or make a book. Or anything more concrete than a handful of pixels on your Facebook account. My kids are particularly fond of Shutterfly books. We make a few a year, to document our vacations, or a holiday, or a sport season, or graduation. I like them better than loose prints, as they are easy to display and share. My heart smiles every time I see my kids take one of those books off the shelf and say “ooohhh, remember this?” If books aren’t your thing, check out Imagine Your Photos where there are a whole bunch of cool things that can be made with your pics – everything from canisters, to blankets, to clothing and wall displays. Really a very cool site.
3. For especially momentous occasions, hire a professional. Take pics of every day life yourself, but do not skimp for weddings, newborns, senior year, etc. Hiring a professional will allow you to immerse yourself in a moment or event without worrying about documenting. And at least every couple of years hire a pro to produce artistic, timeless and technically sound images for your family that will be treasured for generations. If your pro delivers digital images, be sure to get them PRINTED. (see number 2)
4. Don’t get too wrapped up in documenting. A particularly difficult tip for me, this may sound like a contradiction, but it really isn’t. While following tips 1-3, don’t forget to BE IN THE MOMENT. Take one or two snaps to remember the day, then put the camera down and have fun.
Live fully, love deeply, laugh often….and please, get in the pictures!
A huge thank you to all of the photographers (too many to name!) that have blessed my family with images and me with support, as well as family, friends and random strangers on vacation that have taken pics of us!
A special shout out to the following very talented photographers, whose images appear in this post (mixed with mine).
Judi Morrissey – Judi Morrissey Photography (family pics at the lake)
Violeta Harrington – Violeta Harrington Photography (pics of me with Robby on the beach)
Trula Muir – Time in a Frame (below pic of me wearing orange dress and lifting Robby)
Burrill Strong – Burrill Strong Photography (image of me on the Football field with Dom)
Brigitte Hoag – Brigitte Hoag Photography (images of me with Alex and Robby)
As my mind traveled down this path, it occurred to me that what my children talk about for years on end, and what they really treasure have always been EXPERIENCES. Places we’ve gone, amazing things we have seen, and things our family has done TOGETHER. We have a special book case full of photo books made with the images of our vacations, our holidays, and the milestones of my children. Those books are the one thing that the kids never tire of. Oh how I love when they reach for a special book and say “remember this?” or “this was the best vacation ever”. Coloring Easter Eggs, our Disney Cruise, golfing with Daddy – these experiences are far more special than any THING I could ever give them.
