This month in the #inthepicture reminder email, I asked you why you thought we were all struggling so much to get in the picture with the kids. Is it because we are behind the camera or are we camera shy? I asked whether you like photos of yourself.
I do not like photos of myself. Not one little bit. I don’t even like nice photos of myself. When I see a nice photo of myself, I don’t think it looks like me. When the hair is done and the make up is on, I honestly look like a different person.
Exhibit A – my profile pic in my side bar. This was taken when I had a full face of make up on when shooting the Kidspot Blogging Masterclass. I like it enough to use it as my profile pic.
Exhibit B – look how groomed I am. Is this even me? Whose hair have I stolen? Am I preparing to read the news?
Exhibit C – And here I am in the picture with the family this month. I managed two attempts with the kids and one couplie with the husbie. We do like a good couplie. I am wearing Max’s hat in the couple photo. Just so you know. I didn’t want you to think that I a particularly giant head or something…
Again, no make up, crazy hair… it bothers me, even though I look like this pretty much every day. I really am in denial about that, aren’t I? I have this amazing ability to project the me in my head onto the me in real life, which is to say that I swan around as if I am much better put together at all times. But, of course, everyone else is just looking at the crazy lady with the pale face, missing eyebrows and sheepdog hair. Sigh.
Perhaps if I am serious about looking better in photos I need to take a long, hard look at myself (literally) and pay more attention to the way I look each day. Since I’ll be camera ready at all times perhaps I will take more photos with the kidlets? Hmmm… worth an experiment, me thinks.
One of the things that is really, really irritating me about the shots I have with the kids is how ‘routine’ they are. All lined up, ready for our posey shot. Blah. My siblings and I always called these shots “the standard”, where we would be lined up in birth order in front of one tree or another for the standard snap. It’s no surprise that I’m not a fan so this month I will be researching ways to take fresher, more natural photos with the kids and I will share them in next month’s #inthepicture reminder email. So do sign up for that!
Okay, ready to go? Please share any #inthepicture photos you’ve snapped this month. You can upload a photo (no links to blogs or anything required) so we can all view your loveliness. Of course, if you don’t want to share, that’s okay too, but do remember to take those pics each month anyway and please answer this question in the comments for me:
Do you recognise yourself in photos? Do you look like you?
And a little reminder of how it all began…
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I am trying, through your inspiration to get in the picture with my kids. Not so successfully just yet, BUT I will continue to try. Thank you for the inspiration. xx
Next month, my lady! This is your personal invitation. 🙂 x
Oh Maxabella, I love your posts. They make me smile:-) I think we are all guilty of dodging the camera, especially if we have no makeup on. The sad thing is, I’m not allowed to post on Facebook some of the most beautiful photos I have taken of my eldest daughter (who is 18), because she has no makeup on! Is this the legacy of my own vanity? I keep saying to her that the only reason I need it in photos is because at 46 years old, my skin appearance is a bit mottled so the makeup evens it out. I tell her that she has the most exquisite peaches and cream skin so doesn’t need it to look good. I recently updated my Facebook profile pic but used a photo from 6 months ago because I deemed non of the recent photos I was in to be profile worthy. I am not a vain person but I also hesitate to put an image out into the world that doesn’t reflect how I feel on the inside.x
This is EXACTLY why I’m trying to embrace big ol’ imperfect me, Shell. I just want my two daughters to be freeeee!! x
These are a beautiful bunch of photos Bron, and I especially love your couplie.
I’m still working on my “in the picture”, because NO, none of my photos look like me at all! Isn’t it funny how wee see ourselves in our minds?
Maybe after your tips I’ll find the best way to put myself in an image xx
I am taking the photos and putting them out there, with minimal photoshopping (that was a joke). I am in this, warts and all. The kids don’t care, remember that. It’s actually doing wonderful things for my self image too. x
I do understand what you mean by the question. often time I get a shock and think “That’s not me, who’s that? I look old” Think I’m forever 25 in my head.
I definitely believe the camera adds 20 years… x
Ohhhh yeah, so much of that is true for us all. In this time of the selfie you’d think we’d be more with the times but unfortunately when you spend so much time avoiding the camera it’s hard to embrace it.
I WILL start being more in the picture and try to like the person i see x
I’m getting a selfie stick. To hell with it. x
Gorgeous pics, Bron! Love the bunny ears one the best. Sometimes I do look at pictures and think surely I don’t look like that?!! It’s the same with hearing my voice. Is that what I really sound like? I’m a bit of a photo tart. I love getting #inthepicture with the kids. My problem is the little one will never stay still long enough.
You are great the way you just take the picture, Renee. Mind you, if I looked like you I would probably have way more confidence too! Silly, but true! x
I also find it strange to see pics of myself. But far more strange to hear my voice! Surely I don’t sound like that!
I dodge my voice at all times. Strewth, I sounds so bloody ocker! x
I’d much prefer to be behind the camera than in front of it. I have a nasty habit of always blinking at the wrong time! I’ve included a 4 photo collage in this link up taken in the last month, including 2 make-up free ones (god forbid!). You’ve inspired me Bron – I’ve been in more pics with the kids this month than I have in the last 18 months. It’s only 4 but it’s a start 🙂 I had to laugh at your posey shot comment. There’s a running joke in my family that whenever my Mum wanted a photo we would “assume the position” which was always in front of the curtains in the lounge room!
I am so happy to see you! Especially sans make up ‘cos, let’s face it, that’s our ‘mum’ look anyway, right? I’m very glad that we are doing this, Tash. x
They are great pics Bron, I had one taken the other other day at the Easter Shoe, although in this pic I don’t think too many people will be looking at me…..
Load it up if you dare, Mandy! It can’t be worse than my bunny ears… x
I still betcha no one is looking at me………lol
I confess that I’m not, Mandy… still captured by Mr Right… xxx
Oh Lord no – I dont look anything like the 6 ft glamazon I really am 😉 xx
I literally spat DC onto my screen. You make me laugh with your height issues, Son. You are 6 ft where it matters, my dearest. x
I look different in every photo I take of myself or in photos people have taken of me. I have insecurities about how I look in photos, however, most of the time, I look past the weight, wrinkles and wobbly bits when I am #inthepicture with my children. Once again Bron = thank you for being an inspiration!
I caught up with a childhood friend last week and she told me she was inspired to be #inthepicture with her kids and just be #inthepicture in general, So she thanks you too!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Oh that brings such joy to hear that, Charlene. I really, really just want mums to embrace this. To just get out of our own way and step into our kids’ childhoods, warts and all. Their memories will thank us for it later. I will never, ever forget how devastated I was to find myself missing.
I’m so glad you blogged this too. Thank you so much. x
No makeup and wild hair- you look lovely, real and genuine! And much like my usual style too 🙂
There are loads of us around! x
Bron for the record I love every single picture you’ve put up today and you look just as gorgeous in each and every one of them. I must jump on board this #inthepicture challenge of yours, love it!
Enjoy those holidays. xx
Jump on in, the water’s fine!
Thanks for the inspiration and the photos Bron, they’re all wonderful! I think I’m going to try for a couplie next month – I can’t remember the last time we took one of those!
We would love to see you! x
I think all these snaps are picture perfect but I have to say my favourite ones are the ones sans make up because you look happy, open and real ,just as I see you in real life. I bet the kids are loving having you #inthepicture too. What do the kids think? I’d love to know their feedback…
They think it’s fun having mum in there, Sammie. It’s really touching. x
I truly love #inthepicture and it gives a name to what I have been trying to achieve in the last couple of years. It’s given me more focus and motivation – thank you so much.
I don’t know if it comes with age, but I’m getting more and more comfortable with my image. Doesn’t mean I’m not super critical at times too (you should see what doesn’t make the cut), but I’m learning to see the moment in time in a photo – not just my flaws.
I used to think people would think I had a big head because I kept insisting on selfies or photos of myself, but now I think f*ck it – this is important and I don’t have to justify it!
My problem is that I often think I am skinnier than I am. Then I see photos haha.
This is the telling thing because I always think you look PARTICULARLY good in photos. You are so photogenic, Kez! How we see ourselves and how the world sees us are often polar opposites. Which is just nuts. x
The best pictures of yourself are when you’re looking/feeling natural. Yes, it is nice to say, “Oh, I look really good in that picture!”, but that isn’t what you’ll remember about the moment that you’re trying to capture. I have a cheesy smile that gets cheesier the longer I have to wait for someone to take the darn picture. I know I’m not a supermodel (and don’t want to be one either). The beach shot with your hubby is great.
I couldn’t agree more! I want this! I’m working on it… x
Love the bunny ears Bron, the kids will no doubt remember this day when they see the photo in the future. . I do like being in the picture, as I have found over the years, there are always heaps of the kid with dad, but few with me. And I have found that my boy doesn’t like having too many photos taken of him alone these day but I can still convince a selfie with him.
You had the revelation in time, Steph. I’m playing catch up. x
I love your in the picture prompts… promise, I’ve been doing some of these, although I do about 1 (to 50) to get the pic I’m happy with lol! Thank you. X
We’ll keep going and we’ll get more and more comfortable with the whole thing and then one day it will just happen without the 50 shots. That’s what I hope. I’m just doing ‘one shot wonders’ (see above), but it’s a huge leap out of my comfy zone. x
See, what I’m learning from this Bron, is that everyone seems to think they look shit in photos, but I’m looking at their photos and thinking “you don’t look like shit at all!” – so maybe when I’m looking at photos of myself and thinking about my hair looking lank and limp or my face being washed out and pasty or the dark circles under my eyes peeking out from under the layers of concealer…. maybe other people aren’t noticing those things? Like you mention your hair, but I’m just seeing your big grin.
Plus – I think the most important part of #inthepicture is not necessarily what photos you’re going to put up on social media, but the photos that are going to be treasured by your kids when they’re all grown up – and I’m guessing they’ll want to see the mum they remember seeing every day of their lives, not the mum they saw go out to dinner now and then. You know? You’re preserving their memories of their mum.
Oh! And… if I think of my fave photos with my mum – none of them are the staged, line-up-in-front-of-tree photos. They’re the candid, happy, silly shots. Let’s all get on that! xxx
Agree, agree, agree. You are one super smart lady, Lauren. You know how painful that is for me to tell you, given your beauty. 😉
I’m starting to look like my mum in photos. And I quite like it!
Love this comment, Mumma McD. xxx
I am getting better at asking people to take photos of me with my family. It’s so important.
I like all of your photos!
Thanks Kaz. Get in there, lady. It’s worth it. x
It’s really funny, because husby and I have switched places in the last couple of years. He used to be the designated photographer, so I used to be in the photos, now I’m the one carrying the camera and he is the photos, so thank you for the reminder x
Just getting that “we wuz ere” proof is important I think. x
So I was just going to say that I love how unposed your photos with the kids are. Yes you are lined up a bit but you still post them if someone is pulling a face or twisting about.
Also, instead of the pale face, missing eyebrows and sheepdog hair I see someone who is comfortable with their appearance with an artsy vibrance. Except that apparently you aren’t comfortable. If being camera ready makes you feel more confident then go for it. Know though that everyone views things through a different lens – pale skin/missing eyebrows/sheepdog hair vs comfortable artsy vibrance 🙂
What lovely photos!! Really gorgeous. I am trying to get in more photos but my daughter won’t have a bar of it. She is refusing to have photos with me, so I’m making sure I get them with my husb and friends. I don’t know if you can see the whole pic I uploaded – It’s me, my BFF and her daughter – and Cheese is off on the side sulking because she didn’t want a photo with me. Kids!
Guilty like all the other lovely mums here. I tend to be behind the camera rather than in front. I tried to upload the most recent photo with me included which was my birthday a few weeks ago but I’m not sure it loaded. Will have another go later.
I’ve been looking for inspiration of different ways to get some different shots of me and the girls rather than just selfies with the phone. I read a great article on Click it up a Notch (I think, I can’t remember exactly) which had some really great tips. I’ll have a look and see if I can find the link and post it for you if I do. I’ve incorporated my #inthepicture with my One Perfect Moment post for tomorrow, so I’ll be back to link it up then. I love what you’re doing with this Bron, and I love how honest and open you are about your struggles with being in the picture. I feel the same way too.
Ok, so I can’t find the one I was originally thinking of, but this one is even better…
http://clickitupanotch.com/2010/10/self-portraits-get-in-front-of-the-camera/
I think I linked to this one in the email reminder this month. I LOVE you montage of cuteness, Kylie. It is such a joyous way to capture time with the kids. I wish I had more shots just like these when my kids were little (cue #intehpicture #inthefirstplace!!)
x
I’ve signed up just now. I’m on it!
Yay! See you this / next month, Sarah. Just do it! x
I got my hair cut and coloured yesterday and still couldn’t bloody manage a picture with the kids. I tried – but I was looking so tired and blegh that I deleted it. No idea why! But for some reason, yesterday I couldn’t deal with having such nice hair … yet still managing to look so blegh!!
Eeek! You don’t have to post the pic to the world, but don’t delete it. Keep it for the kids. They will think your hair is perfect. Promise. x
Oh Bron if you only knew how much I envy your curly hair. Mine is dead boring and I long for pre-raphaelite waves or at least a bit of movement. So I adore the Bach shot with you guys.
My wee ones have been keen on using the camera and have taken some god-awful photos of me. Also a camera lens has been broken. I wept. But at least I do know what I look like and lets just say the word is ‘variable.’
LOL, that’s the PERFECT word to sum me up too, Seana. I know it’s a total myth, but I’ve always wanted to be one of those groomed women who looks exactly the same each day. I can’t even rely on my eyebrows to stay a consistent colour, so I’m totally doomed.
You are very patient to not be going a bit crazy over the broken lens. I think I would ban outright!! x
Actually no this photo does not represent me but I kinda wish it did! But when I’m at home, working, mothering, I just don’t get dressed up! I actually think it’s not a bad thing for me to dress up say once a week so show myself, and the kids that it’s nice to have pride in your appearance, thanks for sharing my mug xxx
Agree! I do try to make an effort from time to time, just to keep inspiring the kids to be more into the whole thing than their wayward mother… x
My fav of the above is the one of you smiling at the beach with the kids. The hair has a life of it’s own and it looks so free and happy, as does your fave.
I love your hair wild and free, you look beautiful. Loving the word couplie!