Why It's Important to Be in the Photos: A Mama's Perspective

Hey there, Mama! Can we discuss something that's been on my heart lately? You know those precious family photos you've been collecting? The ones of your kids growing up, the birthday parties, the holiday celebrations, and all those everyday moments in between? Something has caught my eye, and I am sure yours has too. In most of these photos, someone's missing: YOU.

The Invisible Mama Syndrome

As moms, we're pros at dodging the camera, right? We've got all the excuses down pat:

"Oh, I'm not looking my best today..."

"Let me just take the picture instead..."

"I'll jump in next time when I've lost the baby weight..."

Sound familiar? Trust me, I get it. But while we're busy stepping out of frame, we're actually missing out on documenting some of the most important chapters of our family's story.

What Our Kids Really See

You know what's funny? When our kids look at photos, they're not checking if our hair is perfectly styled or if we've got our "good side" showing. They're just excited to see their mama! They don't notice those extra pounds we're worried about or that we're wearing our comfy clothes instead of that cute outfit we never got around to changing into.

What they do notice? The love in your eyes when you're holding them. The way you laugh during family game night. How you looked on their first day of school when you were trying not to cry (and failing miserably—or was that just me?).

Creating a Legacy of Love

Think about this way: when you look at old photos of your own mom, what catches your attention? Is it her outfit or her weight? Or is it the memories that come flooding back—the comfort of her hugs, the sound of her laugh, the way she made you feel loved?

That's exactly what we're creating for our kids when we step in front of the camera. We're leaving them with tangible proof of our presence in their lives, evidence of the everyday moments we shared, and the special occasions we celebrated together.

Simple Ways to Get in the Frame

Ready to make a change? Here are some easy ways to start showing up in your family photos:

●     Hand your phone to your partner or friend during everyday moments

●     Set up your phone timer for quick family selfies

●     Make it a rule to be in at least one photo at every family gathering

●     Schedule a family photo session (yes, you deserve professional photos too!)

The Real Truth

Years from now, your children won't care if you were wearing makeup or if your hair was perfectly styled in these photos. What they'll care about is having memories of you—their mama—being present, being real, and being part of their story.

So the next time someone pulls out a camera, resist the urge to hide behind it. Instead, jump in, smile, and remember: you deserve to be in these photos just as much as anyone else. Your family's visual history isn't complete without you in it.

Because when your kids look back at these photos years from now, they won't see the imperfections you worried about. They'll see love. They'll see memories. They'll see their mama. And that is absolutely priceless.