When you become a Mum, having a billion photos of your little one(s) on your phone is like a rite of passage. Most of them are the same – or very, v e r y similar – but all are too precious to delete. If you scroll through your gallery, how many of these beautiful images include your face?
As parents we comment all the time about how quickly time passes, how fast our babies change & how much we wish that we could freeze the moment & live in it forever. We were there, we were part of that sacred memory yet when we look back through our photographs & tell the story we are nowhere to be seen – take a moment to ask yourself ‘why?’
The answer to this question may be along these lines: “oh I didn’t put any make-up on today because we were only nipping out…ugh no thank you have you seen what I’ve got on…no, not today, my hair is a mess…” & the list goes on.
One of my favourite sayings in life is ‘comparison is the thief of joy’. It is apt for so many situations in life but e s p e c i a l l y when it comes to how we feel about ourselves. But, here’s the thing, whilst you are picking yourself apart your little & loved ones are gazing at you through eyes full of adoration & affection & they think you are beauty in its purest form even with your mum bun!
So don’t just take the picture, be in the picture. Book yourself in for a photo shoot, or give your camera to someone else, ask them to take the photo with you in it too. This is your life & these are your memories & I can guarantee that the things you are criticising now will feel like such little things in years to come, when these photos will bring back the best memories, and the ones with you in too are the ones that will make your children smile the most.
Since having Robyn I’ve made sure to book onto shoots with other photographers so I can be in the photos. Having these to look back on is just priceless. I get to see those little moments between us that are so special and I know they will only become more valuable over time.
Photo credits to Hannah Brook Photography, and Malika Jane Photography