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12 July 2010

In Front of the Camera

I am not one of those people who refuses to have her picture taken. It's fine, go ahead. A little smile and click ... no big deal. However, that is assuming there is at least one other person in the picture with me. A pic all by my lonesome? Oh, ugh. I turn into the biggest, nerdiest geek ever. I feel so lame being photographed, I start smiling super-cheesy smiles and begin jumping around like I am rather addled and confused.

So when Pops asked if he could take a picture of me in my pretty summer dress (that I didn't really need and he let me purchase anyways), I really didn't want to. But he looked so earnest, told me I was pretty, and ... he did buy me the pretty summer dress. So, I put my shoes back on without even bothering to buckle them and clumped outside.

The entire session took less than a minute but Pops kept the shutter button pressed. Out of the twenty or so shots, I managed to not look at the camera or be doing something rather odd for every single shot. But, oh well. We've already established that I am not hip or cool, I'm just a mom who likes to get dressed up sometimes. Everyone who actually knows me is not under the impression that move around like a sleek model, so really my photos are actually a pretty decent representation of the awkward me ... like it or not!

But here's the thing. Us moms are usually the ones behind the cameras. While we may not particularly love photos of ourselves, our kids will. I know the pictures from when I was young that include my mom are distinct treasures. To me, she looks gorgeous in every single one. And I have a feeling that 30 years from now, we'll think we look pretty darn fine too.

So here's my challenge, girls. I've seen your blogs and I love them. But I also know you are like me and feel goofy putting photos of yourself on display. Will you give it a whirl? Do it for your kids. Do it for yourself and then we can all meet back here in a few decades and wonder why we were all so self-conscious in the first place. Is it a deal?

17 comments:

  1. this is such a cute post, and I love your dress, you look great in it!

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  2. Ugh. Why, WHY, WHY did you put forth such a challenge??? (I am smiling.) And I am certain you're right. I, too, treasure those photos with my mom in them and I think she is just radiant in each and every one of them. Yes, you present a good challenge. No doubt your children will treasure these, just as I bet Pops does!

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  3. love this post! and I think your pictures are gorgeous!

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  4. Thank you for your very nice comments today.

    Love your pink dress and totally smiled when you talked about turning into the nerdiest geek ever..I know what you are talking about.

    xx - Christina

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  5. Pops is right. Love that dress. And I actually do think you're pretty hip and cool :)

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  6. pretty photos....the last photo cropped would make a really good user photo!!!!

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  7. Pretty girl in a pretty dress!

    Good challenge... one I'm contemplating. I wish I was better at using the timer on the camera, that would help.

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  8. I'm always awkward when I have to pose. But, I wish someone could follow me around all day to photograph what I do with the kids...because that's the real me! Plus, how often do we stand in front of the mirror to look at ourselves. I think photos freak us out initially because sometimes we just don't look the way we "think" we look. Hmmm...

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  9. Ooooo, Ruth. That is so true!

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  10. I often feel awkward and uncomfortable in front of the camera because I really was the nerdiest geek ever (hello, remember high school?!) You look lovely in these photos, I especially like the third one! Pretty dress too :)

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  11. absolutely adore this dress and color on you!!!

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  12. A picture speaks a thousand words...or more. I would say your photo session was extremely successful. And I must admit I noticed the unbuckled shoes right away; that is exactly something I would do, if I even managed to get the shoes on my bare feet in the first place!

    I like your foresight. The pictures taken of my grandparents and parents in their younger days are priceless.

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  13. You are so adorable! I have a feeling these pictures are of your sweet spirit in a pretty dress with a beautiful smile.

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  14. Cute, cute and beautiful in a pretty, pretty dress. What a happy moment or two!

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  15. love these! you are adorable. Love your style.

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