If you’re like me then your phone is probably filled with thousands of photos of your children (or fur babies!). But let me ask you this, how many photos are you in?
Now, I get it.. we don’t always want to jump in front of the camera. We can come up with any excuse under the sun.. “my hair isn’t done, I’ve got no lippie on, I just woke up” etc. but think about this, you will never again get this moment with your children. They won’t always have bed head or goofy, toothless smiles, they won’t always jump on the bed and sing their loudest “Let it go” renditions, they won’t always climb all over you and laugh hysterically when you tickle them.. ugh I can’t go on, my heart gets too heavy!
When you were growing up, did you love looking back at photos when you were little? Photos tucked up in your parents arms, cuddling on the couch or at the beach. Walking along the sand, hand in hand or sitting on your Mums lap on a picnic blanket?
These moments, don’t shy away from them. Document them and make damn sure you’re in them!
I have always, always thought about my daughters looking back on photos and seeing their childhood as they remember it. Playing together, hugging each other and showing love to their favourite people- us, their family ♡ I know that we won’t always be their number ones (oh gosh, that hits me straight in the heart) which is why it is SO important to get in the photos with your kids and capture some memories that you’ll be able to look back on in years to come.
Create albums full of laughs, full of tickles, full of wonderment and exploring, full of nose scrunching smiles and full of love. I promise, you will not regret it.
I heard a quote the other day that went something like this.. “The only photos you regret are the ones you didn’t take”.
Goodness, as someone who is lucky enough to call being a photographer a career this could not ring more true. Look, I could go on and on about the importance of photographs & being in them, and unfortunately I have many similar stories like the one above, but I’ll stop here. Instead I’m going to give you a few things you can do to get in the frame with your kids, your fur babies, your friends and loved ones.
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Take your own photos
~ Set up your phone in front of a window with the camera reversed (in selfie mode). you can place it on a holder up high, against a book or fixture and set up the timer.
~ Choose the ‘multiple shot’ function if possible and set to 10, 20, 30 – however many photos you’d like.
~ Make sure you and your loved one/s are facing the window so the light is on your face (making sure it is not direct sunlight), preventing dark shadows.
~ Make it a fun game and go for it!
Ask for help
~ Don’t be afraid to ask your partner or friend to pick up their camera and capture you all just being you. Playing games or cuddling, baking a cake or walking along the beach. These are the moments you witness every day and are probably the ones you will cherish the most.
Pop it on video
~ Why not do the above two tips but pop the phone or camera on video mode. Videos are equally special and it is always so fun looking back on days & moments you would most likely have forgotten.
Organise a professional family session
~ Book in with your favourite photographer and make a fun afternoon of it. Choose someone who you are comfortable with and who truly values the importance of the moments that are so special to you ♡
Print your photos
~ Printing and displaying your beautiful photographs are half of the fun. Don’t let those moments stay on your phone or computer, have them framed and display them for everyone to see.
♡
My hope for you is for you to be able to look back on the moments that make you smile. May you reminisce with your loved ones in years to come and tell the stories your photographs help you remember.
With love, Amanda x
