I’m a stickler for doing what I advise my Photography clients to do-get in front of the camera.
Sometimes it’s hard to process that images aren’t just about you when you’re the one in them. I have one picture of my dad; just one picture. I’m sure he took more in his lifetime but I have one. And I’d love to be able to pull out a collection of images that have been passed down to me as family keepsakes.
I mean archival paper exist for a reason right?
Whether I’m behind the remote or another photographer is behind it I make it a point to get in front of the camera and not wait for a day when I’ve lost weight or my hair has been dyed or any of those “but, I’m just not happy with me” moments. Why? I want my son to have images of me now and when I’m no longer here. I also don’t want the dreaded obituary scramble where the family digs up a photo from 30 years ago because it’s the last time I was in front of the camera.
Short answer, I stop making it just about me.
At least in part I stop making it all about me and I think about my son. I think about him having that one lonely picture and wanting more. Since I have the ability to do something about it, I’m doing something about it.
I’ve had the conversation with him because I don’t want him and he’s appreciative even though he runs from the camera.
I here, right now.
Aging.
Loving life.
Overweight and working on it.
Dark circles under my eyes…
All of the things society says aren’t okay or acceptable when it comes to what’s beautiful. Good thing God has already said I’m fearfully and wonderfully made and I don’t need society to define beauty for me.
It’s okay to get in front of the camera today because I may not be here tomorrow. Today, right now is all I have an I’m celebrating every moment of it.
It’s true, photos are about the person in them but they are also meaningful to the people who love them–it gets so much easier when we know everything isn’t just about us.
Credits & Stuff:
Photographer- Bilal Alan
Likeness: NJ In His Image
Style-NJ & Bilal
Location: Ebby’s Touch Shooting Space
