WHY MUM'S NEED TO INCLUDE THEMSELVES IN FAMILY PHOTOS

I love nothing more than looking through photo albums with My family at home. When my youngest daughter was born, almost 13 years ago. I decided I would create photo albums as well as small films. Included all my favourite images and footage of them. My hope is that when they are adults. They will have a collection of albums that document every aspect of their lives. A gift of memories they too can look back on with their own family.

However, after a few years of creating these albums. I realized I was not included in the pictures as much as their father. My legacy as a mother was not being documented.

As a photographer, I often have my camera with me wherever I go. To make sure I do not miss out on capturing a special memory. I pride myself on my ability to thoroughly capture our fun adventures. Traveling Australia, weekends away, or just a day trip to the beach. Even more so right now as we all experience the days and weeks in Isolation. (COVID-19 2020) the everyday moments at home are so important to me.

I want to document every special moment of my children’s lives.

As I get older it becomes more concerning that I might forget these little moments and milestones. When there are no more little feet running down the hallway in our home. With only their knickers and giggling, I will always have my photos to transport me back in time.

Most Mothers want the portraits that are professionally taken. I think it is important for mothers to photograph themselves with their children, regardless of what they look like. What they are wearing or how they are feeling that day. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve deleted photos of myself. When I think I look too fat, too tired, too ‘face patchy’. When I have messed up hair or even when there was just too much ‘kid mess’ in the background.

After realizing I have also been inadvertently omitting myself from my children’s past. I made it my mission to be photographed with my children. (Thank you to my wonderful husband who took on my quick crash course in photography!) I want them to feel that all-encompassing love I have for them. I want them to be able to see the evolution of my journey as their mother.

Most importantly, I want them to see all parts of this journey. The days I am tired or look frazzled as well as those days filled with happiness. Because motherhood is filled with highs and lows. Including both provides a more accurate depiction that my children deserve to see. 

Why Mums need to include themselves in family photos.

Nope…because that’s not who their mum was. Their mum was definitely the messy ponytail, not always make-up wearing, the mum who completely and utterly loved them. And that’s what a ‘real’ photo will remind them of.

My beautiful Mum also documented our lives growing up in the Northern territory. Dad always had the movie camera too! I know many hours were spent on my mother’s lap and nestled within her embrace. I know there were many hours spent cooking in the kitchen, brushing tangled hair and having tea parties. But I cannot find any tangible “proof” of those moments.  

“One day, all your children will have is pictures of you. Make sure you’re in them. No matter what your hair looks like, your makeup, or your body. They won’t care about any of that, they’ll just want to see you”

My mother was a stay-at-home Mum who spent her days raising my two younger siblings and I. From what I remember from our childhood, we were encouraged to spend our days playing outside. My mother helped us with all of our school projects. Never forgot a school pickup/drop-off and sat front row at all of our many sporting events. She was everywhere in our lives, but not very often present in our documented past. 

I would have cherished a few nice photographs of just the two of us, but there are not many. I suppose this is due to her wanting to be photographed when she was only at her “best.” Something so many mothers struggle with. including myself. 

These photographs of them with me are images they will cherish more than the photographs of themselves. The many portraits of them that I have taken over the years, those are mostly for me … so I will always remember how little my children once were. But these photos of my children with me … these are for them. Remembering how much they were and still are so very loved.  

So, like me, you should try and remember to get in front of the camera. Have some photos taken WITH your kids, with your partner or even by yourself. Take them when you look fantastic AND even when you’re rocking your Mum bun in your active wear. Why Mums need to include themselves in family photos.