Get in the Picture, Momma!

“Everybody, look over here, smile!”

Snap, snap, snap. I’m forever taking pictures of my children. Whether it’s capturing their smile on their birthday or just snapping a picture of them playing outside, I’m always taking pictures of them. With having my phone on me 24/7, I am never without a camera. If you take a look at my phone, you will see hundreds upon hundreds of pictures and videos. 

But, where am I?

I didn’t notice how much I am not in pictures with my children until my aunt brought it up on Facebook asking where I was in the most recent pictures that I posted. While I laughed it off saying how I’m always the one behind the camera taking the picture, it did make me wonder when the last time there was a picture of myself with the boys. So I scrolled up and down my phone and I quickly found I was hundreds of pictures deep in pictures, and I was nowhere to be found, or missing in action if you will.

To be honest, though, I dislike the way I look and feel so it’s natural that I avoid the camera. It’s not that I don’t want to take pictures with them, I just would rather see a picture of their adorable smiles instead of me in the background. It’s easier for me to be the one to take it.

“Let’s all take a picture!”

I’m lucky to be surrounded by some fun and encouraging moms. Whenever we are together, one of us is ready to capture the moment. I always try to stand in the back or the side, you know to hide myself some.

It’s not that I dislike pictures. I absolutely love pictures. I share them on social media, make photo books and display pictures in frames all over my home. The problem is how I see myself.

What if the picture shows that I’m weeks past a hair dye? All those greys will be shown.

A picture on the beach? You must be kidding me. What if my cellulite is visible? Should I get a towel and cover up?

A group picture with my gal pals? I instantly get a bit squeamish. I’m not confident in myself and start thinking of all my insecurities. In my head, anxieties are flying around. Do I have pepper in my tooth? Should I put my hand on my hip? I should have worn something more slimming. I know I should have been using my Crest white strips!

I need to just grin and bear it!

I’ve realized in my 30+ years on this Earth that I’ll never be picture perfect. However, I do want to be present. I want my kids to know I was there on Christmas morning, at their school performance and playing with them outside. I also want to be smiling in the pictures with my husband. And those Moms Night Outs? Yes, I want to be confident and smile brightly in those as well.

I’ve decided I am going to take more pictures with my kids, even if that means it may show the reality that I haven’t showered yet that day and I have leftover mascara on from the night before.

I will kindly ask a stranger on vacation at the beach to take a picture of my family, despite my insecurities in a bathing suit.

While out on a date with my husband, I will ask the waiter to snap the rare image of us out sans kids.

And when I am out with my best gal pals, I won’t change spots with a friend to hide myself; I’ll gladly say cheese and smile!

So Momma, get in the picture. You’ll want to see these moments in the future. So, cheese!