New Year - New You- What I wish I could tell mothers who hate their photos
Every day I interact with sweet mothers who have kids of all ages. The time and energy spent on your photoshoot is always amazing. You coordinate the perfect outfits, make sure the naps are at the right time, and most of all - getting the husband to cooperate( wink wink). I am well aware of your efforts and I commend you for them. This energy makes my job a whole lot easier. I want you to love your photos, however it has come up time and time again, and I need you to hear me out. Here is what I have been hearing:
“ I have been wanting to book a shoot, but I am trying to lose these 10 pounds I have gained”
“Please, work your magic in photoshop”
“ My wardrobe is not sufficient, so I will just have you take photo’s of the kids”
“Let me hide behind this kid the best I can”
“I love everyone in the photos, but me”
Here is what I want to say to you:
Momma……….. you got give yourself some grace.
As I am an artist, the human body is beautful in all shapes and sizes. I study you in detail. You ARE beautiful.
You ARE amazing.
The problem is, your beautiful and my beautiful are two different things. What I see as an artist in photos is the way you love your children, the way you look at them, the patience, the way they look at you and smile and giggles. No one can do what mom can do to get that look. NO ONE.
Family and Children Photography is not perfection. Its not a campaign ad. Its not a fashion shoot.
It is real life, it is perfectly imperfect. That drool on their shirt, that hair having a crazy moment. Those are real. Those are things that don’t stick around long and you will miss that one day.
The beauty of photography is sometimes capturing that messiness of the day, of the life you're living in that moment. Those moments in time you will never get back again.
Mothers - Please hear me when I am say, give yourself a break. Even though you don’t feel like a model, you're a role model to your littles. They see you in those photos. They don’t care about that outfit, the don’t care about the weight you have or don’t have. They don’t see or know a photoshopped you.
They will remember you were there. You are their mother and they are so proud of that.
those little looks, those giggles , those drooling faces, and temper tantrums, are all the best years of your life.