Let’s acknowledge something right now.
Your. Family. Wants. Pictures. Of. You. Too. (And deep down, you do too)
There, I said it. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk. Photographer to photographer. Chances are, if you are the photographer in any sense of the word in your household, whether that means you are the mom who is always trying to document her kids, or you actually make a living using your cameras, chances are you need more pictures of you.
I used to be that person, and until recently wore that crown proudly. Family documenter. Always the one behind the camera. This can stem from any number of issues. From insecurity, a need for control over that “perfect” picture, the risk that comes with putting your precious, (Cough Expensive Cough) equipment into someone else’s hands, the genuine enjoyment you get from taking photos. For me I think it was largely just a genuine lack of need, or desire to see myself in images, this mostly stemming from immaturity. I was having a great time. I captured what I saw, I had pictures of my loved ones, wasn’t that enough? Well, no.
Now I can’t pinpoint any specific moment that I identified this problem in my own life. Which time it was my mom said “Did you get any pictures OF YOU?” or that I was looking for a picture to post online for my sisters birthday and realized I had exhausted all recent photos of us that finally made it click, but one day it did, and it became clear that I didn’t just want a single sub-par photo of me from a family occasion. I wanted pictures of my genuine smile, often, authentic, with my family, and something to give me proof of my life. To look back at my adventures, big and small, and be able to say, “Look at this, I was there.”
At this point, I can imagine what at least a few of you are thinking. The words “easier said than done” have likely sprung to mind. Okay, fair enough. However, I strongly recommend giving it a try, this is honestly a surprisingly easy change to make in your life because chances are, your family and friends will be 100% on board. So let’s at least talk about making this happen for you, hmm?
Step 1: Pick an event and make a commitment to yourself that you will get your picture taken, anytime the thought even crosses your mind. For me, my event was a trip to Ireland with my mom. If I saw a great spot, (and let’s face it, it was Ireland, there were a lot!) I would get a picture of my mom, and then ask “Can we get one of me too?”. Shocker, she never said no. Which leads us on to step 2.
Step 2: Recognize you will likely have to ask. If you are the designated picture taker in your circle, you came by this role naturally. You are always making sure you get the shot. Why? Because it comes naturally to you! Don’t assume other people in your life are the same way. My mom doesn’t think that way, my sister enjoys taking in the moment, the last thing they think is, “Oh! I should document this” but I don’t know anyone more ready and willing to take my picture when I ASK. (So long as I set it up my camera for them!)
Step 3: And whilst we are talking about the technical side of things let’s work on accepting the fact that the other people in our lives, ARE NOT PHOTOGRAPHERS. Along with having to ask, you are very likely going to have to do things like set up your camera, focus the shot and say “now don’t move!”, do a little bit of educating, and pose yourself. Even after all that you may still end up with a slightly blurry photo taken by a waiter, or images that aren’t always tack sharp. Once and a while you may have to settle, and put the camera on sandy ground on a precarious surface made of flipflops, (which I have absolutely never done myself haha!) and that really is okay. The memories, and the emotional value you will have attached to the pictures of you and your family on a holiday, will far outweigh the fact it isn’t 100% perfect.
*Photos in this blog post were generously taken by people not me! Including but not limited to family, friends, lovely complete strangers, and the occasional random surface. ;)