My sister, Kristin Jansen, wanted to write a little something for my blog after I captured her family pictures.
Kristin here….
We all know how exciting it is to have your family pictures taken or even your wedding pictures and getting that email from your photographer saying they are ready. I know that feeling of scrolling through and thinking “wow, my kids look great” and “omg look at that one with my daughter’s big smile”. That is the best feeling, but then we start to look at the ones that we are in and start the judgement. The thoughts of “I could look a little thinner” and “wow my nose looks huge.” I know that feeling. I felt that recently when I got my family pictures back a couple of weeks ago. Although I posted those pictures and tons of people liked them, in my head I wasn’t good enough. I felt bad that I felt that way. I know a photographer isn’t a magical fairy that will give me a nose job, boob job, and liposuction just in a picture.
Then I had an epiphany. Why would I want a picture of someone else? Why would I want a picture of someone who looks like a supermodel with my family? I know that’s not what my family wants. They want to see their mom and wife the way they know her. The way they see her every day.
I put myself in my child’s shoes and I thought back to pictures of my mom. I never once looked at the picture and thought of her weight or her hair (but to be honest, the 90’s were good to no one), I didn’t think about how in style her clothes were or if her make up was done. When I saw those pictures I thought of MY MOM. Which is so much more important. I thought of the memories I had from when that picture was taken. I thought of the woman who cared for me when I was sick and ate cookie dough while doing Richard Simmons work outs. I realize that’s how I want my child to think of me. I want her to look at these pictures and see me. Not some photo shopped version of me, but the real me. I want her to look at these pictures and remember our snuggles and our trips to Grandma and Papa’s farm.
I understand this view point is a struggle, especially in the world of social media where everything is a filter and you only see the perfect side of everyone. You don’t see their struggles or the 1000 selfies they took before they found the right one to filter and edit to perfection until they don’t even look like themselves anymore.
Not every photo is perfect or in focus, but some are just too perfectly imperfect to not keep!
I realized that it’s ok to look real. I’m not perfect and I definitely do not look like a supermodel in real life, so I don’t want my photos to reflect that. I want my family’s pictures to reflect the love we share and the memories we have. I want to look back and not think about my flaws, but see my daughter’s smile and remember her at that age as she will look back and remember her mom and dad as they are, flaws and all.
Thank you, Kristin! Loved having another mom’s perspective!
So moms….
When I want you to get into the pictures on your child’s senior session or for your family session, I am doing it out of love and want you to look back at these someday and smile! And your kids will cherish it for years to come!
Love your favorite family photographer!
Allison