“Wheeeeeee!!!” her high pitched squeals filled the air as we whiz around and around in dizzying circles.
My 3 year old’s face instantly lit up like something out of those Magic of Disney commercials. You know the ones where the picture perfect family is nothing but smiles and childish delight as they race around and almost empty theme park waiting in a zero minute line to get on the classic Tea Cup ride.
For a split second we were that picture perfect family during our 2014 trip to Florida.
Little did anyone else know however, that just a few minutes prior we were waiting in 30 minute + lines with an over tired tantruming preschooler who desperately needed a nap, an over hungry husband who desperately need a snack, and an over anxious mama who was desperately longing to be anywhere but the tea cups because of her past history of vertigo after the ride.
All was forgotten however when we finally made it into our quaint purple spinning mug and heard the infectious laughter of our little girl as it twirled round and round.
I wished in that moment that my eyes were photographic lenses that could preserve this memory in vivid life like fashion. On this particular trip and I ((GASP))) chose to leave my big camera at home, and even if it was with me I knew a fancy DSLR didn’t belong anywhere near this ride.
I had my iPhone in my pocket, which amazingly helped keep me more focused on my daughter and less focused on the vertigo inducing spinning (a win win!)
For a split second I was bummed that I didn’t have a better way to capture our magical family experience, but quickly reminded myself that being present in this moment was so much better than capturing it stunningly.
- Laughing with my husband and daughter = more meaningful than watching through a viewfinder.
- Setting my intention = knowing right now is a moment to be grateful for.
- Not every memorable moment = the need to be captured perfectly.
DSLR cameras although amazing, are oftentimes way overrated when it comes to documenting family memories. Want to know why? Here are 5 reasons for you:
1) Size
DSLR cameras are big and bulky and can be a hassle to bring out and about on daily errands, family vacations, or or outings. Especially us mamas with littles ones who require a diaper bag filled to the brim with essentials. The DSLR is often one more thing that gets left behind.
2) Ease of Use
If you’ve never used a DSLR or learned about all the buttons and settings, there can be a pretty steep learning curve. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, stuck, or frustrated that pictures taken in AUTO mode don’t look professional straight out of the box. (However I’m happy to help get you unstuck with my Momtographie Online class if you need it!)
3) Cost
DSLR photography can be an expensive hobby. Once you learn a little bit about how ISOs, Apertures, and Shutter Speeds work you’ve entered a world of wanting newer fancier equipment. Lenses, camera bodies, tripods, remotes. The cost for these can really add up quickly!
3) Shareability
DSLR images aren’t super easy to share to the interwebs just yet (but I bet that technology is coming). It’s so much easier to text a photo to grandma, or post on Facebook, or Instagram when you leave the DSLR behind and opt for a mobile phone instead.
4) Distractability
A DSLR can be distracting to both you and your subject. When you hold the DSLR up in front of your face you automatically put a wall between you and your subject. This can really pull you out of being fully present in a special moment. On the flip side, the DSLR can be a real distraction to your subject as well, causing them to act less naturally then they might if you were toting something smaller.
Above all else, our job should be to capture our magical family memories as unobtrusively as possible, yes?
Less striving for the perfect shot, less worrying about what equipment to use, and more shooting from the heart with what is available to us at the time.
What do you think?