I get it. I hate having my photo taken.

It feels awkward. I’m either smiling too much or not enough. I have a tendency to make dorky faces (see exhibit A). I get a double chin from the wrong angle. I get a muffin top in the wrong pants. I’m not as skinny as I was when I was 20. My hair never looks as amazing as I think it does.

These are all the things I think about before our own family photo shoot. These are all the things on my mind during the photo session. These are all the things I see when I get the photos back.

But I get the photos taken anyways.

Why? Because my son doesn’t think about those things. He doesn’t see the things I do. He just sees his mama – the one who makes him laugh with the dorky faces. The one who provides a soft place to land when he’s upset. The one who’s hugs are the most comfortable place to be. The one who’s hair he plays with when I’m reading to him at bedtime.

We take endless photos of our kids as they grow up. We want to remember how little they used to be. All the funny faces they used to make. All the milestones. All the fun moments. All the ordinary moments. We deserve to have those memories to hold onto as our kids get older.

They deserve to have them too – but when we forget or choose not to be in photos with them (or even without them), a huge part of their childhood is suddenly missing. It’s missing one of their favourite people.

If we take photos of them for us, shouldn’t we should take photos of us for them?

So, mama, take that first-thing-in-the-morning selfie with them, even if you aren’t wearing any make-up and your hair is a greasy mess. Ask your husband, or your friend, or your parents to take your phone and snap a photo of you when you’re hanging out with your kids. Book that family photo shoot and know that you won’t regret it. Because you’re doing it for them.

And they deserve it (and so do you!).

Eran Sudds is a Tsawwassen photographer who specializes in fun & natural sessions for you and your entire family. She is available for maternity, newborn, family portraits and headshots at locations in South Delta, or anywhere in the Lower Mainland. Contact her to book your session!