Reflection: My 2020 Wish for You

I am a professional photographer, yet I am exactly like you. Every time someone picks up a camera and aims it in MY direction, I do The Cringe.

You know The Cringe; the thing your body does that communicates “Wait, no; what are you doing? Put that thing down, I need a month, a pep talk, and at least 400 milligrams of anti-anxiety medication to prepare for this.”

I am convinced that no one, save for super models and narcissists, love having their photo taken. For many, the end result makes it all worth it (I see this happen every time I see the face of a mom who is viewing photos of her beaming family, and it is pure magic to see a smile cross her lips or a tear form in her eye). For others it feels like a necessary evil (or at least that’s the impression I get when someone calls to schedule an updated head shot for a business profile and sighs, “I suppose it’s time.”)

It’s natural to feel reluctant in front of a camera, and yet people do it day after day. If they didn’t, I wouldn’t have a job!

Which is why this moment was illuminating for me: After a day of shooting mini sessions at the local Christmas tree farm, I didn't expect to like my appearance at all when my assistant grabbed my camera and snapped one of me. Or a few days later, when it was snowing so heavily, and a client said “It’s lovely here! We should take a photo of you.” Cringe

Looking at those photos for the first time, I expected them to reflect how I felt in that moment: exhausted, overweight, and physically spent. Instead, what I saw was a woman who is strong, beautiful, and worthy. And if there's one thing I can encourage for you this year, it's to say yes when someone offers to take your photo.

Say yes to all new experiences that make you uncomfortable, but can also be exhilarating.

Say yes to compliments: when someone says you're beautiful, or interesting, or fun to be around believe them. Say yes when your new friend group invites you out — friends are so hard to come by when you’re in the trenches of parenting.

Say yes to that fancy dinner your spouse wants to take you to, say yes to that dance, say yes to new challenges.

As parents, we take care of everyone else. This year, make a commitment to say yes to yourself more.