Existing in the photo

The Importance of Existing in the Photo: A Gift to Your Children

There’s something magical about looking through old photos, especially when you stumble upon a picture of your parents or grandparents. It’s more than just a memory. It’s a window into who they were, who they are, and how they’ve shaped the family you’re part of. You might laugh, you might cry, but you’ll feel the connection, even if it’s a photo from decades ago.

But, let me ask you a question—how often are you in those photos?

As parents, we tend to put our kids front and center. We make sure they look their best, capturing their big moments and milestones. But as we focus on them, we often forget about ourselves. We may not feel photogenic, or we might worry that the photo is all about “us” and not the family as a whole. We take a step back, let others shine, and fade into the background, thinking that our presence in the photo doesn’t matter.

But it does

Why You Should Be in the Photo

You might think that one day, your kids will look back at photos and see nothing but pictures of their childhood. That’s true, but they’ll also see how you were present in their lives. They’ll see the love in your eyes, the way you held their hand, the way you laughed together. Your presence in these images tells them that you were there, fully and completely. You weren’t just the person behind the camera, you were an integral part of their world.

Imagine your child flipping through photos 20 years from now. They’ll cherish seeing themselves as little ones, yes. But they’ll also want to see you—their parent, their guide, their source of comfort. They’ll want to see how you looked when they were little, how you smiled, how you loved them so deeply. Those photos will become priceless to them, not because of the picture itself, but because of the story they tell.

For You, Too

It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to pause and appreciate the present. But being in the photo isn’t just about what it gives to your kids—it’s about what it gives to you.

You deserve to exist in your family’s history, too. In a few years, when you look back, you’ll realize how much you’ve changed. You’ll see how your life, your family, and your love have evolved. Those photos will remind you of the bond you’ve shared, the everyday moments you might have forgotten, and the joy that was in your life, even on the busiest of days.

The Perfect Imperfection

You don’t have to look perfect. You don’t have to be dressed to the nines or have a flawless pose. In fact, some of the most meaningful photos are the ones where everyone is simply being themselves. It’s those imperfect moments—the laughter, the hugs, the messy hair, and the crooked smiles—that will tell the real story. Those are the moments that are worth capturing.

The beauty of life lies in the small, fleeting moments. And when you exist in those photos, you’re creating a memory that will last a lifetime—not just for you, but for your children, too.

So, next time you’re joyful, don’t shy away from the camera. Be present, be in the photo, and know you’re creating something more meaningful than just a snapshot. You’re giving your children a gift they’ll cherish forever: the memory of you, in that moment, being there—with them, always.