The above photo is not one that I took. Instead it is a photo of my mom and me. It is one of my favorite photos that I have of myself as a baby, or toddler. Why is it my favorite? Simply because I see the happy expression on my face, and my mom looking at me with an equally happy expression and huge smile.
I have the photo framed in my boys bedroom. In fact, it is the only way they know my mom. She passed away in 2007, which was a year before I met my wife Sara. So, for her and my two boys they only know my mom from photos and my stories.
Besides being "The Photographer", I am often just "Dad with his camera". It can be a challenge for the one behind the camera to also be in front of the camera. That means that often there are more photos without the one who take's the photos. Sure, there are tricks and devices that make it easier for everyone to be in the photo, but it's likely that there will still be more photos without the photographer in them.
Last weekend, we were out for dinner as a family. Afterwards we went for a short walk (to enjoy the nice Spring evening), and to let the little ones run around to burn off some energy. I liked how the sun was lighting up the side of this building. I knew that the odds of us all getting in the photo wasn't going to happen, but I decided that I wanted to be in the photo. I asked Sara to shoot away as I tossed my son into the air. I love the photo that she took.
The short message that I want to pass along; be in the photo with your kids. You might never know how important that photo might be in the future.
I couldn't agree more with "be in the photo with your kids". You never know what tomorrow holds in store and enjoying your time with your kids is not guaranteed for any future time. Enjoy your moments, take photos and create an album!
Thanks Adriana!