growing up fast…(myself included)
My little babies are growing up faster than I can believe. Every day they seem to change a little. It is a joy to watch them grow and learn. But also a little sad as each stage passes, and I know that it will be gone forever. I am striving to enjoy each moment…(even through the temper tantrums, food thrown on the floor, waking up several times at night, painful teething stages, piles of laundry, spit up and endless amounts of dirty diapers.). I am made all the more aware each day that this precious time will be gone before I know it…
Last week I did an impromptu “photo shoot” with Hazel and Owen…gotta get my creativity out somehow during the day! I make no claims to be a professional photographer. People are always asking me for advice and what kind of camera, lenses and editing tools that I use. And while I do enjoy my equipment…the “art” of my photography is basically just what I have picked up along the way. I took a couple of photography classes in high school and college but that was before digital was popular. I remember only one student had a digital camera in my college class…and it was a very big deal…and very expensive.
Not having any “formal” training in digital photography often makes me very self-conscious about it. And highly critical of myself. I never feel my photos are where I want to be. I see so much talent online that it feels almost impossible to reach the heights I set for myself. So, for awhile I have been afraid to share things that are less than “perfect”…(perhaps a little blurry in the eyes…or a funny face being made…or not the right lighting…etc.).
Something that God is working on in me, though, is to take joy in the gifts he has given me. The specific talents and skills I am equipped with. And I am learning to not be afraid of sharing those less than perfect gifts…
because you never know who they will bring a smile to.
I am learning to see the beauty in my imperfections through they eyes of my children…who love me no matter what.
In the morning with no make-up on and still in pajamas…I make them smile.
During the day when I lose all self-consciousness and make funny faces and do silly voices.
When I dance like no is watching…only because I know it will make these adorable faces laugh. In a sense…having these two amazing people in my life has helped me learn to be easier on myself.
Nicer to myself.
Love myself.
Because I know they love me no matter what. And I know the picture of how much I love them in no way could even compare to the love that God has for me.
And that is pretty remarkable.
So while the photographs that I take are neither perfect nor “professional”…they are mine.
And reflect life as I see it.
And that is beautiful.
The above image shows Hazel at around 7 1/2 months (5 1/2 adjusted for being premature) and Owen who will be 5 months tomorrow. Amazing to see the resemblance. In the day to day it is easily missed.
Wishing you all many blessings…
Till next time…
Alice W.
…and for the curious who want to know what is in my photography “bag of tricks”…I use a Canon Rebel XSi (but long for a Canon 5D Mark II) and mostly my 35mm f/1.4L. I also play around with actions from Florabella Collection and Paint the Moon.
9 Comments
Aleanan.blogspot.com
I am learning that it is unfair to compare yourself. To other photographers. To other mothers. To other people in general. God has made us uniquely and given each of us a specific "eye" for creativity (whether the creativity it displayed through photography or as you mentioned, funny faces and impromptu silly dances).
I am still transitioning from a FT employee to a SAHM and am having trouble having grace for myself and finding my new life along with my little one's new life. While I dont know what I am doing, one thing I know is that I want to chronicle her life in photos (even though my photos are terrible as a have a rinky dink point-in-shoot…I am begging the hubs for an Iphone so the photos will be a little better!) and I want to chronicle her life in words through blogging and a personal journal in which we write letters to her.
Keep taking beautiful photos. I loved them and was inspired by them 3 years ago while planning my wedding and am still inspired by your words and photos now that I am beginning this new journey.
Melissa Urban
Your photography has always been an inspiration to me!! Keep taking and sharing them because I love seeing life through your lens! Your little ones are absolutely beautiful! It is so bittersweet how quickly they grow!
Tina
Beautifully written as always. Now having our sweet baby girl this post I can relate to. Stella is almost 3 weeks old and that's just too much for me to absorb. Running on little sleep and being consumed with everything baby I still enjoy every second. I have no idea how you take care of two little ones. That to me is a major challenge:) Alice I have always been a big fan of you and your creativity. You inspire so many and I don't think has anything to do with perfection. We are the hardest on ourselves. I've learned a lot from you and have enjoyed knowing you. You inspire me to take a better picture:) Funny after reading your blog post.
Beautiful pictures
Beautiful babies
Beautiful Alice:) hugs, Tina
Janine Hamilton
I absolutely love this post, Alice!!! I love you, Josh and my grandchildren with all my heart. Good luck with the new shop, I am sure it will be a great success! I also know how it feels to see the kids grow so fast, I felt the same about you and your sister. Keep in mind that even though the time passes and they grow quickly and are ever changing, the love you have for each other is constant and never changing. Also, You can't take too many photos they will always bring back the memories of those precious times!! Grandma needs more for her house too (hint hint)!!
sharon
wonderful photos of the babes!!! thank you for sharing, im sure like others…we have been waiting patiently for a new post! i read this quote on someone's blog…sorry cant recall where, but it is so perfect.
"Comparison is the Thief of Joy"
enjoy these days! and your marvelous gift of photography!
Margaret Bouwmeester
Well Hello Alice W., good to see you here again! I guess that's like me on FB, I am hardly there, now that someone showed me Pinterest….oh yikes.
Your babies are sooo adorable and just the sweetest little pumpkins!!! I look for your updates on FB when I do go there and it has been so amazing to watch their progress.
How exciting for the new Etsy shop, I can't wait to see it!!!! Congrats!
Hugs
Mags
xx
Leanne
beautiful photos … beautiful children … their eyes are just so blue! and you can hardly tell them apart in those last two, I agree! I wish I could take photos as well as you!
Sheila R
Alice,
So good to "hear" your beautiful, heart felt words and see your gorgeous photography. It is a breath of fresh air. Motherhood is so precious and it goes so fast. My babies are 18 and 15… Janna looking towards college away from home and Connor, now officially taller than me and my husband. Oh, how the time flies! Enjoy each moment…
sadie
oh my goodness they are such beautiful children!
Ah yes, the growing up that comes with being a mother. Changes everything doesn't it? The best, is seeing the world through the eyes of a child, makes you look at everything differently.
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