01 Jun
Pictures Problems
When I was pregnant with Jack, I made a deal with my husband. I would agree to not get his picture taken professionally every 2.7 seconds and he agreed that we would purchase a nice camera. Pretty sure that I won in that deal.
I love taking pictures of the boys, but I have a few problems. I tend to go in cycles with taking pictures. I take a ton and then hit a dry spell. I am working on being more consistent with my picture taking. And I always forget my camera when we go some where like Phipps. I’m trying to get better at it, but when you are dragging two kids and a diaper bag it’s hard, especially if I’m headed some place by myself.
This weekend I discovered a new picture problem. We went to my in-laws for a picnic on Sunday afternoon. Since we had a little time before the food was ready, we decided to take the kids for a dip in the pool. My husband took Jack and I took Xander. It was Xander’s fist time in the pool. Everyone was having fun. Then I realized that I really wish that I had some pictures of it. And then it hit me. How can I can pictures and participate in the fun at the same time? In this instance, there wasn’t any way. Neither boy can swim, so they both needed to be with a parent. And prying Jack out of the pool so I could get some pictures of X and then getting X settled to get pictures of Jack just didn’t seem practical. Plus what about pictures of them together? And what about me participating in these wonderful moments instead of taking pictures?
So, tell me, how do you balance participating and taking pictures? How do you handle juggling kids and still manage to get the camera out? I want to document all these fun moments, but I’m struggling! Help!
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Easy. Just have me come and snap the pictures!
I’m usually behind the camera, too (we have two little guys as well
, but I often give my husband the camera so I can take a turn playing with the kids. At family functions I hand my dad the camera so I’m IN a few pictures with my husband and the boys. And if we’re out somewhere without other family/friends, I’ve gotten more at ease about politely asking a stranger (usually another parent, and I offer to take one of them in return, if they’ve got a camera out) so I’m in at least one. It’s great having those pictures of all of us together!
The pictures happen first, and then I join in the fun. The better photos are the ones when the fun is still new to the short person, so a quick 30 seconds at the beginning is all it takes. Also, it helps to go places with friends. They’re really good at keeping a kid busy for a second while you snap some photos.
I got a nice camera when B was ~9mon old and my point and click wasn’t keep up with her “action” anymore!
I usually take pictures myself and then put it on “auto” and hand it off to any family that are standing near me, and tell them to take a ton of pictures. I usually have to go through a ton of pictures and only get a few good ones (those cameras take practice!) But it’s totally worth it!