MAMA

Over the last month or so, I've seen the topic of us Mama's including ourselves in our family photos crop up here and there - on my favourite blogs and IG accounts, and it's certainly something that resonates with me.

As the photographer of the family, I'm even less likely to be the one in front of the camera, but more and more I'm making sure I take the time to pass the camera to someone else and ask them to take a picture of me too. We've even started to ask strangers and passers by to take our photo when we're out and about. I think the pictures of all four of us together will be the ones we cherish the most in years to come.

I know that sometimes it's easier to be the ones taking the photos; I certainly feel that sometimes the bags under my eyes are just too big and dark, my clothes aren't particularly nice or I'm generally feeling a bit chubby round the edges, but it really and honestly doesn't matter. When I'm old and grey I know I'm going to look back on those captures and wonder what on earth I was so worried about, and I don't want to regret not getting in on my of the family photo action.

And, you know what, maybe it will make me get out of those boring everyday clothes I routinely put on, and throw on that nice top I've been 'saving' (for what?!) instead. Sometimes (most of the time) I need to remind myself that taking 5 minutes longer for ME is just as important as getting the girls dressed and making sure the bag has everything we need in. This is just the excuse I need.

Last summer, I posted a picture of my beautiful little family on the beach in our favourite place in the world; St Ives. Coralie was two months old, I still carrying quite a bit of baby weight and my boobs were HUGE from feeding a tiny newborn. It took quite a bit of courage for me to post that picture, put it out there, but I'm so glad I did. I'm so glad to be part of the visual side of this journal; not just the voice behind the words and the person behind the camera. Josephine has that picture hanging on her wall and talks about it all the time. She doesn't see any of my insecurity or softness or post-pregnancy self-confidence issues; she sees her Mama happy and smiling, cuddling her, as I will always do whenever she lets me or wants me to (and even when she doesn't) and loving her, and being there on all our family adventures.

So this is my new mission. Every day trip, every family party, every afternoon spent in the garden, I need to hand over the camera and get in the shot. I know I won't regret it.

A few Mamas who are inspiring me in this quest right now?
Naomi at Love Taza
Courtney Adamo on IG
James at Bleubird
Keri-Anne at Gingerlilly Tea
Kellie at Dear Olive