Do you hide behind the camera, always playing photographer? I’m here to encourage you today to get on the other side and jump in those beautiful pictures of your family.
I get it. I really do. For so many years, I hid from any camera pointed my way. My poor hubby has been at the losing end of many outbursts on this subject.
As the years pass and the extra weight of babies and life takes hold of our bodies, too many of us mommies avoid pictures with our kids. I have so many adorable images from over the years of my family. But I’m missing in far too many of them, unnecessarily ashamed of what I look like from the newly formed wrinkles and pounds.
I want to share with you today that I’m done with that and I hope to encourage you to be as well. I’ve cried many prayers to finally look at a picture of myself and not see all the flaws. I’m making great strides with this too common dilemma.
My beautiful daughter got married recently and this, of course, included a great deal of family pictures such as these…
These images will forever remind me of one of the most incredible days our family has spent together. They will live on for generations to come and I’m thankful to be in them. Instead of seeing the many pounds I was certain I would lose before this glorious event, I remember those joyous smiles on our faces as we added a new family member to our crazy, loving brood.
This is a huge shift for me and one I hope to help you come to as well. Quit hiding behind the camera. I immensely adore photos of my kids as much as the next mom, but they will so appreciate having us in some of those precious mementos.
Let’s jump in those pictures! When our adult children look back on them years from now, they won’t see things like aging and thigh spread. They will see the women who loved them more than life itself and these captured images will be some of the greatest keepsakes we will leave them.
This newfound confidence even led me to finally embark on professional headshots for this online space and my Essential Oil business. I’m so thankful to Katie from Katie Moore Photography for making me feel comfortable and beautiful during my fun, recent shoot with her. Here’s a few of those moments:
Do I see perfection and absolutely love looking at these? No. I’m not quite that evolved. I still notice extra pounds, drooping eyelids, crooked smiles… But I’m so thrilled to have these special photographs and will never regret taking the time and money to get them done.
Even if you can’t afford to head over to a professional at this time, please let me encourage you to have someone take some pictures of you alone. Give yourself that gift to just loosen up and find some comfort on the other side of the camera lens. You won’t regret it, and your people will really appreciate you for leaving that sweet photoshoot behind.
True beauty is so much more than those imperfections we see in ourselves. Remember this important fact when you stare down a recent 4×6 of yourself:
Your beauty should come from the inside. It should come from the heart. This is the kind that lasts. Your beauty should be a gentle and quiet spirit. In God’s sight this is of great worth and no amount of money can buy it.
~1 Peter 3:4 (NLV)
Believe it or not, that lasting inner beauty will always shine through in those captured images for years to come…
Are you ready to jump in all those adorable family pics? Share your thoughts in the comments. I would love to hear from you!
For more encouragement on dealing with this much too common issue, check out How to Feel Beautiful at Any Weight.
Candace, you are gorgeous and truly loved seeing all the beautiful photos of you. I also love your thoughts on not hiding behind the camera. I very often do, as well, because I am the one usually taking all the pics. But do have to remember to jump in front of the camera more, myself. Thanks for the reminder here 🙂
Thank you for your sweet words, Janine! It does make it difficult when we are always taking the pictures. I can relate to that issue as well at times ;).
Guilty!
And when I need a picture of myself for something, I wonder why I can’t find any!
Yes! That’s so eye opening, Michele. Many years ago I needed a picture of me and my daughter for an article I wrote. I couldn’t find any. That should have been a sign for me to start jumping in some pictures!
Bravo! I HATE having my photo taken–it doesn’t matter what my weight or current state of health. But you’re right (sigh). It’s important to step in front of the camera and include ourselves in the photos!
Some of us really do just have an aversion to the front of the camera, Anita. I get it! I’ve struggled with it at healthier times as well. We just need to jump in for the sake of the people who love us ;).
This is so convicting – and inspiring. I can’t say that I’m right there yet…but I would love to have more family photos that actually include the whole family:)
That’s a great start, Jennifer. If at all possible, try to find a reasonable local photographer to do some whole family shots. With their lighting and positioning expertise, it really helps!
I agree with your post, but often in my family I’m the only one taking the pictures! I sometimes sneak in selfies to prove that I was actually there. 🙂
I love that, Felicia! Selfies to prove you’re there :). That definitely works!
This is such an important article that will speak to so many people. I think we would like our pictures more if we just let go and let life and love shine through our eyes and body language.
What a beautiful thought, Ashley. “Let life and love shine through our eyes.” Thanks for sharing that here!
Your headshots are beautiful. And so are the wedding photos. Bravo for your bravery and trying to see yourself positively.
I agree, we need to get over our photo taken and then us seeing only the negative. Because like you said, our children and friends don’t pick the photo apart and name all the negative things we see. My daughter is always saying, “Mom you are so beautiful,” when she takes photos of life and I am in them. I am coming to realize that she sees me as her loving mom, not what I see. She sees her and I smiling in a picture and thinks there is my friend. She sees me holding her baby and she is happy I love her child so much. And when we let our self be in the pictures, we are setting a good example for our children, especially our daughters.
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement, Theresa. I love what you shared about setting a good example for our children! That is so important. I definitely don’t want my kids growing up with the complex I did. I want them to know what true beauty is and how it is always shining bright from deep within them.
Candace, you’re right. I’m on the wrong side of the camera for too many photos. I’ve tried to get better about doing selfies with my boys, and some of those actually turn out kind of sweet. But I need to be better about that. I hadn’t thought about the fact that, when they look at pictures of their young years, my kids won’t see me in any photos if I don’t jump into some of them.
Your pictures are beautiful. And your daughter looks so much like you!
Thank you, Jeanne! I take selfies sometimes with my kids too. I think it’s a great way to just capture a quick moment in time. We will love looking back on those some day as much as they will.
Such a great post on an important topic that isn’t covered often! Sharing on Pinterest and Twitter.
Hi Sarah! It really isn’t covered as much as I would expect it to be. So many of us struggle with this and could use the extra encouragement. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Your blog redo looks so lovely, so do you and your daughter as well! Congratulations!
Yep, we should take those pictures and not apologize for how we look.
Thanks, Jen! I’m excited to finally have my blog design in a place I love. It’s taken many tries to get it here ;). And YES, no apologies for how we look needed!!
You are beautiful Candace and seeing the wedding pictures of your family makes me happy. I can’t believe how much older your son looks.
It is easy to hide behind our fears, doubts, and of course, the camera. I have done that myself. But the authenticity you show in these pictures shows me you are healing from the inside out. As always, I appreciate your vulnerability.
PS. We need to make a coffee date!
I think he’s grown a foot this summer, Mary! Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement, my friend. You are always appreciated. Yes, we definitely need a coffee date!
Well done Candace. I thought I would visit your blog instead of just replying to your email What beautiful pictures of your family. I’m sure it was a happy day, indeed! Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your daughters special day. I’m proud that God has empowered you to step in front of the camera, keep your eyes on Him, sister in Christ. I love the new look of your site. I guess we both have made some changes.;) I hope you have a wonderful week and may God continue to bless you and your family. Be well, friend.
Thanks so much, Horace! I need to go check out your changes :). It’s always fun to play with the design. Blessings to you and yours as well, my friend. I hope all is well!
Candace, hi! Your new site and all your photos are simply beautiful! What a treat to stop in tonight. So lovely to see you again …
Bless you.
It’s always great to see you, Linda. Thanks for your kind words on the new site makeover and the photos :). I’m really enjoying the new look around here. I’ve wanted to do this for a while, but you know how time gets away from us!
Hi, Candace! My name is Mary Carver, and I work for ForEveryMom.com, a Christian parenting site. This post is fantastic – such a needed reminder! (And your photos are gorgeous, too!)
I know our readers at ForEveryMom.com would also be encouraged by your post, so I’m writing to ask if you would allow us to republish it on our site. We would give you full credit as author, link back to the original post, and include your bio and head shot. What do you think? 🙂 Please let me know if you have any questions, and if you are interested. Thank you!!
Mary
Hi Mary! Thanks so much for this wonderful offer. I do have a few questions. I’ll email you so we can discuss this further.
Hello from our H*W circle! 🙂
YES!!!! It was roughly around the time of my older daughter’s wedding that this message became clear for me too… I have a lot of sadness over what I missed (evidence wise, in photos… though obviously the memory is mine.) It’s so hard to be a woman sometimes, isn’t it? (Also… LOVE DOTERRA!)
Hi Misty! It’s been a grieving process for me too about all the photo ops I missed over the years with the people I love. It’s SO hard to be a woman! I couldn’t agree more. And yes, doTERRA is the best!! I’m obsessed…