Photography and I have a hot and cold relationship. I am either head over heels for it or I'll go an entire month without snapping a single photo. As I was browsing through my Lightroom catalogue and looking back at pictures from years ago when my oldest was just a little baby, it brings back a wave of emotions and memories. I am able to remember the rolls that engulfed her little legs, her baby face (which is way too grown now) and all the activities she adored at each stage of her life. The pictures were not works of art or even technically correct, but you know what? It doesn't matter. I was celebrating those tiny moments and capturing how she was... right then. I get into this state of mind where I am chasing the golden sun and perfect moment and if the settings don't meet that criteria... I don't snap a photo. I have come to realize that it isn't the perfect setting (ie- field of flowers with beautiful backlight) that are my favorite photographs. It is the imperfect moment that reveal what was happening at the time. It is the photograph that is full of emotion, whether one of my children is laughing or even crying. It is honest. Those are the pictures that I hold so dear.
How is this for honesty? This is Madeline's favorite thing to do right now. She climbs up my legs and just stares at me. She is attached to me, and though I am tired, I don't want to forget how this feels because she will be grown before I know it.
These are the moments that I do not want to forget. You do not realize how fast time goes by until you stop and reflect and look at old photos. Her face has matured drastically from the little baby cheeks that she used to have.
Going a month without capturing who my little people are is inexcusable for me. I don't want to forget how my children are. Right at this moment. All their quirks, imperfections, and messy hair. I don't want to forget Mali's little gap toothed smile or the tufts of ginger that take over her head. I don't want to forget Olivia's wild and unruly golden locks or the sour expression she get's when she doesn't get a piece of candy. These moments are fleeting.
Honest moments are what I want to capture. The photos that speak about who my girls are, what they love, and how they live. There is nothing wrong with those beautifully styled outdoor photos, but I want to capture the everyday and if I get some awesome perfect scenario photos where they are getting along and smiling beautifully... well.. that is just icing on the cake.
