I have a handful of pictures from when I was a little girl, you know, before the geeky teenage years took hold. My mother was young, raising a newborn and a two year old on her own. Not a lot of opportunities to pull out the camera I suppose. But I long for more pictures, more memories. The story skips from a skinny newborn to a toddler at my parents wedding. From there it's a pouty kindergartner in a turquoise dress and black mary janes. I fell in love with pictures at an early age. I became the self imposed family photographer in my early teens, purchasing my first SLR camera and camcorder on a sales associate's income. Photography is fulfilling to me. I love revisiting memories through pictures as much as I love taking the photographs themselves, but it can be conflicting at times.
Am I going to regret experiencing my children's happiest moments through a lens? Am I detracting from reality by making it into a memory while it's still taking place? What will my children appreciate more, play by play pictures from their youth or a mother who put down the camera and lived the moment with them?
Is my avid picture taking for their benefit or am I fulfilling a selfish need of my own?
Photography. A hobby I hate to love.
5 comments:
I too don't have many photos of my childhood and I feel that I am missing out on something. My kids love to look thru old photo albums and see themselves as a baby/toddler/little kid. You are still involved even though you are behind a lens. You are making & capturing priceless memories. Happy memory making!
ps..just make sure you develop them!
That recent picture of Nick caught mid-step on the beach.....Allie dancing with abandon to Bo's music.....nope, you can't give this up.
But sometimes, the photographer has to hand off the camera so THEIR presence will be documented at the gathering!
love the new family photo along with all the family trip ones...your really talented jod!
The wonderful thing about what you do with the camera is that it isn't just about point and shoot. If there is one thing common in your photos it is that you create a feeling for those seeing it, so in a way you are taking your memory and sharing it with so many who aren't there. I think as the years pass and we realize the boxes and boxes we have in the basement of pictures of our life together and our children's lives are moments captured in that way, you will see the blessing your efforts have been to freeze those moments and times forever.
You and my Dad have this addictive hobby! But we need someone to capture these wonderful moments in life, and I wouldn't trade you and him as our families' photographers for anyone! Your photo skills are awesome.--timo
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