Even though I adored photographs before my children were born, the fear of forgetting all of the little things that made my heart melt about my children is what made me jump into photography wholeheartedly. And I am so grateful that I did. But you do not have to be a professional photographer to do it.
The images themselves aren’t always technically perfect, and they may not mean much to anyone else, but they capture a moment in time that has passed. It is a moment that I can never get back, and that is what I love the most. I find comfort knowing that I haven’t truly lost that moment because I have it captured in a photograph.
Last year, I participated in a Project 365, where I took one photo each day of the year. Some days, I simply adored the image that I captured, but other days the images seemed insignificant. Now, when I look back on the images {even the insignificant ones}, I am so glad that I captured them. You don’t realize in the moment that their cheeks won’t be that chubby a year from now, or that face that they make is so representative of them, or that they won’t want to bring their lovey along with them anymore, or that it’s the last picture you’ll have before that first tooth falls out.
For those reasons and more, I beg you to capture your kiddos. Document their days.
You will never be sorry that you took the picture. Take the pictures, print the pictures, enjoy the memories.
Each summer, we go on a road trip to visit grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, etc. Before we leave, I take time to print out pictures that show what my children have been up to throughout the year {typically, I take advantage of the 101 free prints often offered via Shutterfly}. It has become one of their favorite ways to show family and friends how much they have done since we visited last. They get to show off their friends, fun accomplishments, and it gives them a huge sense of pride to be able to narrate their memories.
So, even if the moment seems mundane, capture it. There is beauty in every day. One day you will be so grateful that you did, I promise.