I’m a mom, and today I wanted to cry. She came into my office, grabbed my hand, and silently pulled me away from the screen that holds me captive — editing, clicking, typing and scrolling. Her head tilted down, her lip pooched out, and her countenance was soft. Her cute little voice told me something that was crucial, where I’ve been and what direction I’m needing to turn. “Mom, you always do pictaws (pictures).” She might be only 3, but she’s smart, and absolutely right. I released the mouse, turned away from Mac, and grabbed my daughter’s beautiful face and looked her straight in the eye.
“You’re right, sweet babe.” I whispered as I kissed her little cheeks. I took her hand and walked out into the living room to be what I love doing most, a mom. I couldn’t help but notice my environment. Piles of laundry, dishes in the sink, dust on the most unusual places, and at times I’m lucky to get a shower in. Kids are hungry, diapers are waiting, husband is usually babysitting, and the home is a mess. I have been overbooked. I have been stressed, and I’ve been completely paralyzed from the neck down. My passion for photography has made me go nuts. Literally. My focus has been on completing pictures to satisfy clients, and all the while, my baby girls and sweet and supportive husband have been patiently waiting for me to return.
So why do I bring this up? I have had sisters, friends, and loved ones in the last couple months tell me about their starting visions of their own photography passions. I cannot help but be thrilled for them, but at the same time, I want to warn them. Photography is addicting. It’s thrilling, and it’s incredibly rewarding. You will get frustrated, you will get discouraged, and you will suffer by comparison. You will lose sleep, you will always want more equipment, and you will most likely get bags under your eyes from staying up in the wee hours of the morning editing while your children are tucked away in their beds.
My little girls will only be “little” for so long. I only have but a short amount of time to teach them, to develop a much needed friendship with them, and to show them that I do more than sit at the computer and edit photographs. I will always love the camera, and I will always have the passion for photography. But sometimes, we, mothers, need a little soft lesson…even if it’s from a three year old.
12 comments