You're looking at your photos from your most recent event and can't find a single photo of yourself, or you're searching for a photo of your mom, sister, grandma, etc and realize that you have a sorry amount of images of her. I'm sure we've all experienced this as one point or another with either ourselves or a female in our family. I was never one to shy away from taking photos with friends or at events when I was younger, but after I became a mom, lots of things changed. I was constantly taking photos of this cute little squishy guy, but I rarely wanted to be in the photo because of all those insecurities one may acquire as their body changes after giving birth.
1. Prioritize capturing images! I can't recall how many times I've visited family and thought, I need to get a picture, (especially of my mom and I because I have so few photos of her) and then before I realize it, everyone has left and I didn't get that photo. Of course there's a lot to be said about experiencing the moment and not living through a lens (can anyone relate?!), but what I'm talking about is getting those one or two photos of you and the important people in your life.
2. Ask someone to take the photo. Anytime my husband and I have gone on vacations, I don't hesitate to ask a stranger (usually a fellow mom), to take a photo of us. They can most likely relate and are usually more than happy to help out. Also, ask your spouse if they can take a photo! The photo of me cuddling my son was the first time he got really sick and my husband spontaneously took a photo. I'm wearing a gray Mickey Mouse sweatshirt and my son is sick, but the moment was sweet and he thought about photographing it and I'm so glad I have this photo now, because only a year later, he looks so much different and those cuddles are so few and far between.
3. If there aren't people around, use those tripods or self timers! Some of my favorite photos (and video) are Christmas morning where I've set up my camera on a tripod and interval shots or video.
4. Use whatever camera you have. Whether you have a fancy DSLR, small point and shoot, or a phone camera, use what you've got to capture those moments.
5. Don't worry about the photo being perfect! I admit to having a tough time with this one, especially when using my 'fancy' camera. If the focus is off or lighting isn't perfect, I can be critical, but then I step back and realize that what I find important about these photos is simply that the moment was captured and that in a couple years or 50, I can be transported back to that moment of me cuddling in the chair with my son or us opening presents Christmas Day.
6. And speaking of critical, let that inner critic, that often prevents us from getting in the picture, take a hike. You'll never look back and regret having that photo. I also realize that my view of myself can often be distorted and isn't necessarily what my husband sees and definitely isn't what my son sees. Why prevent my son from having photos of me long after I'm gone because I was too self conscious to get in front of the camera?
7. Schedule a professional family photo session! It may seem intimidating thinking about scheduling, coordinating clothes, and wrangling little ones, but as your photographer, I am here to help you with that process. I'm always available for outfit consults prior to the session to help you feel more confident and I have a method in working with little ones that helps everyone stay at ease have a successful session. Plus at the end of it all you get adorable photos of you and your family that you can print and hang on the wall!
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