Behind the Camera

I started compiling annual family photobooks in 2012 when my first child was born.  Years later, we have a stack of these printed albums in our living room.  I adore these moments frozen in time, and the girls love flipping through them to see pictures of past holidays, vacations, and birthday parties –basically my inception-esque way of locking in memories of childhood magic. But naturally, due to the chaos of the day-to-day, I am a solid 3+ years behind.

One recent rainy Sunday, riding a wave of caffeine and nostalgia-induced productivity, I decided to get caught up.  I started gathering photos from my phone and (a scant few) from my husband’s phone to add to the online draft for the 2021 family album.  It was when I got to the holiday season of my photo excavation that it hit me.  There are a literal million photos of the girls in outfits I selected, with gifts I wrapped, sitting around the tree we decorated, and dozens upon dozens of photos of them with their dad. But I am nowhere to be found. My hands were all over making the holiday season magical, but there is no photo evidence.  Correction.  I am in one photo. The ONLY photo I have with my children from that entire Christmas season is the photo you see here.  It was taken on Christmas Eve when we returned home from an emergency visit to Lice Ladies.

*Note the slick up-dos following full comb-outs. 

So, here’s a reminder for all moms this December: GET. IN. THE. PHOTOS. Set that timer—or better yet, give your husband a quick tutorial on using his iPhone camera. Make an effort to be in the picture, not just for special occasions but for everyday moments, too. Capture both the dressed-up and dressed-down memories year-round. Your kids won’t stay this young forever, and neither will you.

Years from now, when I finally get around to creating a 2024 photobook, you best believe I will play a starring role.