In Support of Grabbing the Camera More Often

Lately, I have felt quite frumpy about my photography. I didn’t quite get to the point of giving it up entirely or even purposefully taking a break, but (and you may have noticed) I have been sharing fewer photos (and, ahem, less of everything) here on the blog. Also, although I have been more or less keeping up with my dailies, I know in my heart that too many of the shots have more “blah blah blah whatever take a picture every day blah” than “ah what a joy it is to click the shutter” or even simply “this is today; I want to remember this.”

But the good news is that I think this has been a phase—one that I feel myself pulling out of, in fact. I read something this past weekend that gave me some perspective and freedom, which I think was just the thing I needed (well, and I probably need a little inspiration, but that’s coming too): the Pioneer Woman said of her Fourth of July photography efforts, “Of course, I didn’t come away with any award-winning shots…but they definitely captured the memory of last night. And that’s the role I want photography to play in my life.” So, yeah, less worrying about whether I get what I or any one else considers stellar shots and more capturing the moment.

And just to put my money where my mouth is on that particular point:

Grainy, blurry, wonky angle for no particular reason, any number of other flaws. And yet. Just look at the expression on Simon’s face. That’s what I want to remember about this Fourth of July—that wonder, that excitement, that fascinating, fantastic kid of mine. He loved everything about shooting off fireworks with his daddy—the noise, the smoke, the lights, the running after the fuse was lit (no worries; it was all safe enough to make even this nervous mama comfortable). And I loved everything about his loving it—the laughter, the clapping, the “ooohs” and “eeees,” the spontaneous gleeful hugs.

Sometimes it’s hard to stay—that is, be present—in the moment because I’m trying too hard to get the “right” shot, and other times I’m so grateful that I do have my camera (or that someone else does) to capture the fleeting moments that might otherwise have been unnoticed and lost/forgotten. It’s an interesting balance.