I've recently read a photographer's blog post that connected with me...
"And, over the years as a photographer, with each client session that I photographed, I began to cringe whenever the parents quietly begged their children to behave, and bribes were on hand to help hide away the tears. When the sun finally set, and I said “finished,” it was common that the parents would allow their shoulders to finally relax; the children would kick off their shoes; and that’s when the authentic beauty would shine the brightest. But by then the daylight had already faded, and my camera was put away....
As an artist, it tortured me."
Oh my... isn't that true?
We want beautiful photos of our family so we make everyone 'dress up'. We pick and prune our kids, our husbands and turn them into something so very far from what our families really are.
I can't tell you how many times I have heard...
'Look at the camera....*insert child's name here*...Smile! Hey Look at the camera, big smiles! We can stop at the store on the way home for treats if you just sit still and smile at the camera!
Husbands mumbling under their breath "when is this going to be over ?"
Mom's sighs of frustration because her kids are not acting like 'little angels' and not listening to what she's says...worrying to herself what the photographer must think...
Do you know why it can be so stressful?
Simple. You are trying to be something your not.
p.s. I'm totally guilty of this too.
My family, for example, rarely gets dressed up.
I do not own a pair of heels and my husband does not own a tie. It's just not us. So why for the love of goodness am I trying to dress up the kids and my husband? Why am I hobbling across a field in a(borrowed) set of heels trying so very hard NOTto break my ankle just to get family photos done?
It's not fun. Nobody is comfortable. Everyone is gruuuu-mpy.
It's just not us.
We spend summers in bare feet.
Collecting rocks for our garden.
Digging in the sand, getting our toes wet.
We'd rather stay home and BBQ then going out for supper.
Saturday night is movie night.
My windows have both wet nose and finger prints.
There is lego scattered in every room.
There's bumps and bruises.
Tears and hugs.
Dirt and fur.
And I wouldn't change it for the world.
So why on earth would I want photos of my family dressed up?
Why would I invest in photos that just aren't us?
Photos that when I look at them, I don't feel a connection to?
I just remember how awful the experience was.
I don't want that for you.
Your child's little quirks, the nick names you call them...
Or how once summer comes so does the freckles (which is your most favorite thing ever).
That's what I want to know.
How your youngest loves to play with your hair when you snuggle.
Or always has to pick you those yellow flowers...
The little things your husband does that make you smile.
Like when he kisses you, he always touches your face.
How he is your rock no matter what comes your way.
That's you.
I want to document that connection,
I want your photos to be honest, authentic and you.
To tell your story and no one else's.
To be photos you look back at and feel nothing but a tug at your heart.
Wishing that those days would last just a little bit longer.
That is what I want to give you...
If you're interested, please reach out for more details.
"Being a family means you are part of something wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life." - Unknown
Much Love,
CrystalB