As a mother, I know the desire to capture our children. We want to remember every moment, as our kids just grow up too quickly. We snap photos of them with our phones, we have professional photos done, and we download all of the photos taken of them at school. As a Seattle family & newborn photographer, I’m here to say that we need more moms in photos.
It is just as important, if not more important, for us moms to get in the photo with our kids.
It is easy to make a million different excuses why we should not be in the frame right now. We blame the baby weight or the lack of sleep, or we say that it is just too hard picking out outfits for everyone, and this is why we just want the kids photographed. But here’s why none of those reasons should matter enough to stop you from getting into the frame.
Your kids do not see any of your insecurities, they just see you.
I promise that your kids love you for who you are, for all that you do for your family, that is all. Simple as that. They want their mom in photos.
Both you and your children need to see yourselves in photos.
There is this study that shows that it is important for kids to see themselves in family photos. The idea is that it shows them that they are important members of the family, shows them where they fit in, which, in turn, boosts their self esteem. I would challenge that this effect is just as important for moms too. We need to see ourselves as women, as moms in photos, our joy, our beauty.
A photo session is about capturing the connections and special dynamics within your family.
There is so much more to your family’s story than just your smiles. The way you love each other, the way you light up as you watch him play, the way he laughs when you let go and are silly together – this is all a part of your story, this is what matters. And none of this can be captured if you do not get into the frame. You’re the mom, you need to be in the photos with your kids.
Family photos that include you, mom, are a gift you give your children for when they are grown.
No one wants to think about when they are gone, yet we all know time moves swiftly and we don’t get to stay forever. Your children will be grateful that you took the time to get family photos done, that you got into the frame with them, that they have these treasures to remember you by, to remember their childhood by. They will cherish every photo with their mom in it.
I do not want to leave you on such a sad thought, so mama, I leave you with this….
Mama, you are gorgeous.
Last year, I considered just having the kids photos done instead of with me in them. Another mama (in fact, it was the beautiful one you see in these photos) told me I was beautiful and I mattered. It was the same thing I tell other moms all the time, but needed to hear it myself. As a mom, I, too, need to be in photos.
Sometimes we just need someone else to tell us the truth. So here it is, you are gorgeous. I see you. Your kids see you. When I photograph your family, I see so much more than just you, I see your love, I see your genuine smile, I see how you light with your babies. These are the things I will capture for you and your family.