But...
...so many BEAUTIFUL mothers ask me to...
- "Can you make me look skinnier?"
- "Please hide me somewhere behind my kids."
- "I just want photographs of my kids. I need to lose 10 pounds before I am in them."
- "Can I see what the photo looks like on your camera? I hate the way I look."
- "Photoshop me as much as possible!"
...the list goes on and on. And it makes me sad. This makes me sad because you can't even recognize your own beauty. I'm not talking about being the perfect size, with perfect makeup and hair, and gorgeous clothing. I'm talking about YOU! I'm talking about the way you LOVE your family. I'm talking about the way your family LOVES you. The way your family looks at you is breathtaking!
Life is not perfect. It isn't meant to be. Life is messy, yet beautiful. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Life is meant to be lived in moments. Moments are meant to be photographed and documented.
I can promise you this, I was THAT mom. I have TONS of photographs of my kids, but where am I in these photographs?? I was hiding. Every single time the camera came out, I ran. I needed to lose weight. My hair wasn't fixed. My outfit wasn't picture worthy. But my kids...they were adorable! And all I think when I look at those photographs is how I miss holding them in my arms, getting slobbery kisses, giggling with them as we played, and snuggling. I can never get that time back. I hold onto these memories, but at some point they will be lost in my mind. Lost for no one else to SEE. My own kids won't even SEE us interacting with one another.
But I'm certain that IF I did allow myself to be photographed with my children, they wouldn't look at them and laugh at my hair or outfit. I'd like to think they would cherish those photographs because they are documenting a moment in time between us...our beautiful family.
So to all the BEAUTIFUL mothers out there...BE PHOTOGRAPHED!! As difficult as it may be, do it for your children and your grandchildren. You won't be sorry...I promise.