Perfectly Imperfect {Family Photography}

(Seeing as how I am not a writer, I am using the words of another here to get my point across.  Please feel free to read the original post here, written by another photographer who heard the same speaker as I did a the convention in Vegas, and was equally moved by the message.   A big thanks to Sarah for being so willing to share her words!  She said just what I was thinking but couldn't figure out how to write!) 

"One of the many inspiring speakers I was able to catch was Tamara Lackey.  Among other things, Tamara talked about the importance of capturing families...this resonated with me.  MY family is the most important thing to me and I bet YOUR family is the most important thing to you, but many photographers shy away from photographing families (because hey, let's face it, it can be a bit chaotic) and many mothers shy away from having images taken with their children because of personal insecurities or physical hang-ups.  "I need to lose 10 pounds"..."I have nothing to wear"..."I'm not photogenic" .  Sound familiar?  I know it does...I've heard it all before and am guilty of saying the same things myself....BUT...you know what...your kids don't care. 

Let me say it again...YOUR KIDS DON'T CARE!  Trust me, they really don't.  How many times have your kids looked at images and said "Gee mom, you have a huge butt in that photo"?  Kids are most happy and most comfortable when surrounded by their parents, so why not embrace it?  It's great to have images of just your children, but when you pass your photographs down to your children later on wouldn't you rather have them remember you?  The close bond your family shares?  The way your family just fits together?  I know I would.  I don't want my kids to wonder where mom was when all the photos were taken."

Who doesn't want a photo of themselves being completely adored by their parents?

or just being goofy with their mom?

I know I LOVE this photo of me and my big guy. 

 AND, I know I want more photos of me and my kiddos. 

It is the biggest drawback to being the photographer in the family and I am vowing to let go of some of my control issues and allow other people (husband? sister? mother?) to use my camera.  So next week, hopefully, you will get to see pics of me and my kids goofing around by the pool and in the sun.  (yippy for spring break!) 

 Hopefully, you will remember all this the next time I see you because your kids (and I) want you to be in the pictures!

Comments

[Wenmei]

I love these pictures, and I'm so glad that we'll be seeing more of YOU on your blog! I totally agree that it's important to capture the entire family, and I've been trying to get Chris to take some pictures of me with the kids so that they don't grow up thinking that they were motherless. Of course, I end up having to convert every picture Chris takes to B&W because it's out of focus... :)

[Anne]

I haven't even seen the pictures taken of you by the pool with your kids, but I know I will love looking at them. I promise not to comment on any particular parts of you anatomy except your gorgeous smile. I have a teaching colleague who says, "The kids don't care what you wear as long as there's a smile on your face."

[Pops]

I enjoy your writing as much as I do your photos. Write on!