The Myth of Perfect Timing
You can literally choose, decide, that your life is worthy of celebrating. This shifts your mindset. The experience of saying "yes" alone is an enormous gift to yourself. It's self-compassion. It's unconditional love. It's growth.
I wasn't in many pictures in the weeks after my first baby was born. I was too tired, too overwhelmed, and definitely not doing as good of a job as other parents out there. My life, at that time (according to my beliefs) was not "photo worthy".
At that time I used to carry my DSLR everywhere, so I have lots of photos of her. Her BIG GOOFY smile, mostly. No artistic renditions of her tiny little features, or her unique way of moving, or the look of content as she snuggled in my arms. Never mind the expressions of love, awe, and strength that came from me. And as for family photos, there are few.
What I would have given to be able to see my partner and I doing our best as new parents.
Fast forward to my second baby. I scheduled a posed newborn portrait session for about a week after we returned home. They wrapped my newborn up in lots of cute poses, shushed them to sleep. It was relaxing! They took one family photo. And I'm glad to have those. I giggle when I look at them because of the wild child my second kiddo is now. It's funny to me that we posed him and made him look like a little angel.
My best friend and photographer, Didi von Boch, offered to come take photos for me around this time. I. Said. No. I think I felt scared of having to be a certain way. I had no idea the gift she could give me.
Now, I JUMP at the chance and ability to have my family's photos done.
What has changed is my mindset. After my second baby was a little older, I finally said "yes" to my friend Didi. She photographed a mini session for us. She photographed my 2 year-olds-birthday. And I finally experienced seeing my cherished family through the loving eyes of another photographer. It feels amazing. And the photos bring me joy over and over again.
What am I saying?
I think we often feel that our lives need to look a certain way before we deem them photo-worthy. This is an illusion. The truth is, we are doing our best right now and that, in and of itself, is incredibly beautiful.
TV at night? Canned soup for dinner? Messy house? Messy self? :-) You can literally choose, decide, that your life is worthy of celebrating. This shifts your mindset. The experience of saying "yes" alone is an enormous gift to yourself. It's self-compassion. It's unconditional love. It's growth.
I encourage you to say yes, if you can. Whether with me, or another photographer, whatever feels right and aligned for you. Go forward and celebrate the beauty in your life.
xx
Cass