This topic is so important to me and events of the past few weeks have made it even more pressing for me. I am SO guilty of not being in photos with my family or kids. I’m always the one behind the camera! I love that I get to capture these memories and milestones for my boys but, looking back at all the images from last year and seeing how very few I’m in makes me sad. In the past few weeks, a friend’s three year old daughter pass away from a brain tumor and a runner from the area was hit and killed while out running. These things absolutely break my heart. I cannot even imagine what their families are going through, but I allowed myself to go there emotionally. If I were to lose my two year old, what tangible thing would I want to remember him by? He doesn’t have any physical item that he loves or carries around so I think the thing that I would hold on to would be pictures. And not just pictures of him, but pictures of him and me specifically. Pictures that showed our relationship, pictures that captured a moment, pictures that showed how much I adored him. And what if I was to leave this earth suddenly before a parent usually does? What would I want my boys to have? My answer is the same. I would want them to have those images that reminded them of my love for them and I would want as many of them from as many ages I could get.
All that being said, you can’t live your life worrying about things like that. You just wouldn’t be able to function. And I don’t want to scare you into thinking that this is something you need to do for your children or yourself. But I would like to say that I think this is an important part of the legacy you leave behind. I hope and I pray that I am 100 years old when I pass away and that I never have to burry a child, but when my 70 year old son looks through the family photographs I want him to see those images of him and I as he grew up. My children know that I love them and I will make sure they always know that I love them, but I want them to see that I loved them too. I want them to remember that I was an imperfect person that loved them fiercely.
All that being said, I’ve decided to offer a special event in February that will be all about documenting your love for your babies. It’s going to be awesome. A simple, clean set-up so it’s all about you and your little one(s). It’s going to be held in my in-home studio in Ruckersville on Saturday, February 1st and Saturday, February 8th. In a 30 minute session, you’ll get a gallery of at least 15 images from which you will choose 5 digitals images with corresponding print. The cost will be $199 and I am so SO excited. You can find some answers to questions I’ve already gotten here.
And what kind of a person would I be if I were all please do this for you and your children, but didn’t take my own advice? Yesterday after we came home from church I set up my studio, set my camera, took my husband to the computer to show him the kinds of images and angles I was looking for, said a little prayer something was exposed properly and in focus, and did a little shoot with both my boys. I had him shoot for the same length of time as you will get and although I think there was a lot of spraying and praying going on, I got a decent number of images and am a happy momma. Now just imagine what I can do for you!
This blog post is so important for us photographers. We are never in the picture. I need to make it a point to always try to be in the pictures with my kids. Thank you for the reminder.
These are SO great Amy, seriously made me misty!
I’m having a small heart attack that I just blogged images of myself lol. But, I’m SO glad I took them!
They are awesome and you look amazing!!!!
I wish you were closer because I am so guilty of this but unfortunately my husband is a horrible photographer I blame it on being color blind and so he can’t tell when the color is off or it’s not in complete focus.. This is my resolution to get my husband to take more even if they aren’t perfect.
Sarah Wright, did you guys move back to Indiana? I think you know how to shoot in manual, right? I would just do your settings, give him some extra depth of field, and see what he comes up with. Only about 1 in every 5 of Isaac’s were usable but at least the exposure was good on all of them.
Nope we are in Mississippi for the near future at least. I have shot some in manual. I will have to keep trying and get him to not use the LCD screen when shooting
Put some masking tape over that LCD lol.
I love these! I love this blog! I got teary eyed too.
You look beautiful in the pictures. And this captures your love for them ❤️
I cried while I was writing it. I won’t pretend I didn’t. 🙂
What a gorgeous post, and such great photography. It is a goal of mine for 2014 to get more in front of the camera too!!!
Something I am guilty of for sure is not being in the photo’s. From one mom to another, I am proud of you! You’ve challenged me today!
I love these! I’ve been trying to get in front of the camera more too. Which reminds me, I really need to set something up soon!
These are great! I need to be in more pictures with my kids.
These pictures are so beautiful of you and the kids. So sweet. You will cherish them forever.
I absolutely love everything about this idea. And your photographs are lovely.
I absolutely absolutely agree…being photographers it is so hard to do but so important to document your everyday with your family!
These pictures are just precious. I think getting Mom into the image is challenging but once they get there they realize how important it is–so special.
These are so special, just mommy and child! I agree, this is an important photo session that will mean a lot to the kids someday!
Love th ooh s and ypou. So inspiring watching your business grow.
Yes, it is so important to be in photos with our kids, you did a great job wight these!
Love this message! It is so important for moms/dads to be apart of documenting the daily lives of our children! Great photos!
What a great article! I’m so guilty of not being in the photos as well. Love this idea for mini sessions!