Why Moms Deserve to Be in the Photo Too - A Photographer’s Perspective

Why Being in the Photo Matters

The irony isn't lost on me.

I've spent years telling other moms how important it is to get in the frame. I've gently reminded them that someday their children won't care what they looked like or whether they had lost the baby weight. They'll just want to remember their mom.

I believe those words every time I say them.

So why is it so much harder to believe them for myself?

I've realized that I stay behind the camera because it’s so hard not to judge myself when I see photos of me. I feel guilty about my lack of self-control (If only you stuck to your macros, your face would be thinner), or self-conscious about the wrinkles that decades of smiling have produced (how can you NOT smile all day when you’re a kindergarten teacher? It’s literally performing like a Disney princess all day!)

I feel like i have to look a certain way to prove that I'm doing my best. And how do you do that when time keeps passing and the years add up?

But if my standard is that I'm only worthy of being photographed once I've finally become the version of myself I keep chasing, I'll spend my whole life waiting.

It's a battle to believe that my worth isn't measured by what I see on the back of my camera, that I’m worthy exactly as I am. That I need to see beauty, not imperfections.

Getting in front of the camera that day was a huge achievement for me. It truly was spontaneous. I had the lights set up to photograph my kids, and on a whim I thrust the camera in my daughter’s hands before I had the chance to second guess, or overthink it. And I’m glad I did, which surprises me to say.

I still see parts that I would like to shrink or smooth. But I didn’t.

I’m going to keep working on loving myself as God sees me.

So when i encourage you to get in the frame (with or without your kids), know that I feel all the same feelings,. I know the temptation to make excuses.

But I also know this: it will be worth it.