You know how sometimes just looking at a picture can bring back the EXACT SAME FEELINGS we had IN the moment? It is so amazing how memory works like that.
I’m sure you’ve also experienced mixed feelings for a seemingly perfect photo, a photo that came out just as we wanted BUT has some bad feelings attached because of something that was going on behind the scenes.
Let me tell you a story from our newly-wed days. Every time we were all dressed up to leave for any event I just HAD to take a photo and so I would force B to do a few before we rushed out the door. Now though when I look at these, all I can think of is that stress of forcing him to take photos.. even though they are great photos that looked pretty okay on facebook where I used to share them.
It is so important to remember this as we capture our kids and our families. If things get a little ugly as we force our kids to wear a particular outfit or stand a particular way or not to make that particular face.. however perfect the final photo comes out, those tears and that struggle will remain in our (and theirs) memory the most. It kind of becomes counterproductive then since we are actually taking these photos to remember the good stuff.
When we start capturing our family in an authentic manner though.. and begin to let go of any perfect picture in our head.. when we realize that the clothes and the poses, the perfect smiles won’t matter years later.. And instead, the chaotic beauty of our family being together, our little ones and their personalities, all the silly quirks that make them ‘them’ is what we will love looking back on.
Basically, we can all just relax, embrace the tutu skirts (and whatever equivalent there is for you boy mamas) and the ugly toys that find themselves in the pictures, and the silly faces. Let’s enjoy each other and our craziness and let our photos tell the real story of our life. One day these will speak for this phase of our life more than any perfectly put together photo will!
(Check back here for more tips to get photos that are authentic & real and yet.. still pretty. )
xoxo, Nataliya
Amazing blog and so candid.
Exactly how it happens. Invariably there is one child in a group photo who was dragged in and has that forced smile too! You can even see the freshly brushed away tears through that smile.
Now you know why I’m more keen to catch the moment. Just to have all my children in one frame brings me enough joy – knowing they live in three continents now.
Joy is in the smaller things in life. That is what you are catching so well… Nat really enjoyed how beautifully you put it all. Love and hugs.
Mama.
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YESS! That’s why I don’t mind your candid photography:). Love you my mama for all of your loving comments and appreciation always. Hugs
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