It happens to me around almost every holiday, special event, or family gathering. I get “the phone call”. The one where someone very non-nonchalantly gets on the line and says, “we’re sooooo looking forward to seeing you….oh and don’t forget to bring your camera!”. One would think this would light me up in excitement and fits of joy. Unfortunately, quite the opposite usually happens and resentment quickly sets in when this question gets posed.
Here’s a peek into my self-talk after “the phone call”:
Did they really just ask for pictures again?
Why do I always have to be the one taking the pictures?
Can’t I just relax and enjoy my holiday too?
This is going to leave me with a ton of editing work I don’t have time for.
Maybe I can conveniently “forget” the camera at home.
Or maybe I’ll bring it and the battery will just “happen” to die while we’re there.
OR, maybe I’ll just try to hide the camera and they’ll forget they even asked about pictures in the first place.
*sigh*
There is this assumption that because I have a fancy camera, because I am a photographer, that I love taking photos.
all.
the.
time.
I am indeed over the moon, excited, passionate, giddy about my camera and making memories. But once you put a camera in my hand I enter THE ZONE. When I am in THE ZONE I am not 100% available to my family. I want to get the right pose, the great shot, the perfect moment. And I regret my actions later. Because I’ve completely missed out on something important.
Maybe you can relate?
Maybe you’ve been the one who has spent Christmas morning trying your hardest to soak in all the magic of your children ripping open their gifts and squealing with delight,, but you’ve done it while squinting to see through the half inch eye piece of your dslr camera. Snapping away and then quickly reviewing to make sure you got the magic captured on film. Later on, while sitting in a pile of wrapping paper and smiling faces, you realize that you were so worried about capturing the moment that you forget to get right in there with your kids ripping, unwrapping, and cheering along.
I have a challenge for you this holiday, ok?
Give yourself the present of simply being present.
Put the camera away on Christmas day. Reap the rewards of companionship and love. Make memories, but vow to live them and not capture them. Now, I am not telling you to completely forget about photos all together. You DO need to photograph memories of this season.
I actually have a little secret, about my own photo taking tactic this year. Want me to share it?
I’ll be done with 90% of my holiday photos before Christmas morning arrives.
Again.
I’ll be done with 90% of my holiday photos before the Christmas morning arrives.
In my free e-course It’s Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas, Lesson #1 challenges you to “Make a List, Check it Twice”. The concept of creating shot list or a plan for what you intend to capture before you even capture it is one so simple I wish I had thought of it myself! And the holidays is the PERFECT time to practice making your shot list. Start making your list by joining the e-course HERE.
This year, as I checked my list over a second time, I realized that most of the photos on my shot list are ones I’ve already taken! I’ll be done with a majority of the items before Christmas.
My plan for Christmas Day is to take my very last few shots very first thing in the morning and then put the camera away so I can spend the holiday as it was intended – watching the magic of Christmas unfold through my daughters eyes, enjoying quality time with my family, and appreciating the gift of togetherness.
BONUS: If you like this tip, and taking amazing DSLR photos happens to be on your wish list for 2015, I’ve got great news! I’m bringing back my popular Momtographie Online class in a big way early next year. Click HERE to get on the VIP list to ensure you get all the details I’ll be sending out very soon about the course and when it will be open for enrollment.