Taking Images They Will Cherish

I am not at a stage where getting in the frame feels comfortable yet. But I was thinking, does it ever get comfortable? How long can I use my uncomfortableness as an excuse to not do it. When I have pushed my feelings aside and got in the frame, I have never regretted it. Did they all turn out beautifully? No! Were they all creative? No! Were they all technically perfect? No! Did I criticize my appearance? Yes! Did I wish I did something different? Yes! But, ultimately, taking images they will cherish makes it all worth it.

I am writing this blog for me just as much as I am for you. This is our reminder that we don’t have to share our images with the world. There should be no pressure for us to take these images. Any failures we can put down as lessons learned and start again. At the end of the day, our family will thank us for these images in years to come. No one ever looks back at a photo and questions the reasons why they were taken. They are just thankful they have the memory captured.

Want to learn more about getting in the frame? Check out these great courses:
Pieces of Me
Journey to Motherhood

If I was to write down what is important to me, the first on that list would be my daughter. Images of myself need to exist for her. Images of both of us need to exist for her. Looking back at pictures of my Mother and I always makes me nostalgic. It takes me back and I relive the memories. If I feel that way about the images I have of my Mother and I, then so will she. When I feel like I can’t get in the frame with my daughter for whatever reason, I will ask myself the following:

• Will she care about how I looked?
• Is she going to care if the image is technically perfect?
• Does she care if that image only got 10 likes on Instagram?
• Will she hold a memory of us dearly when she looks back on the picture?

If the answer to these questions doesn’t get me out of my own head and running for my camera, I don’t know what will!

So, what’s important to you? What images of you would you like to see? And, what would the friend/parent/partner/family member want to see and feel all nostalgic about? Taking these images may even feel therapeutic and you may find an outlet to express yourself! What if the images you leave behind inspire people? There are many “what ifs” that need exploring. Could you imagine if that one snap decision you make today to get in the frame is the image in 50 years’ time that sits on a mantle of a future family member that they cherish so much? How cool would that be?

So on that note, I’m off to take my own advice! Will you?

For more inspiration, follow Jaime on Instagram!