Waiting for the "perfect" time

The fabulous Robyn Russel - a photographer in Ontario - pointed me in the direction of a great blog post today. The post talked about waiting for that "perfect time" to get a family photo taken. The article goes on to talk about how there is always a reason why right now isn't the perfect time - "I just need to lose 10 more pounds", can't find "the" outfit, waiting for everyone to be in the right mood, "we'll have to do that next year!" etc.

The number one thing that stuck out to me in the article is we aren't doing our children any favour by putting it off - they will want to see what we look like and will not say "That photo would have been so much better if mom had lost that 5 pounds!" And it is so true. My mother's side of the family always took a group photo each year at Christmas - and some of my favorite things to do is look back and see how everyone has grown and changed, and how we were right then and there.

My mother has Chron's disease and has had a rough go of it for many years - and looking at family photos you can see the changes, and I know she wishes at the time she was able to look more "like herself" - but I don't look at those pictures with that in mind - that's my mom and I love her, and I love that I have a photo of her with me and all the family.

My father's side of the family isn't so keen on the group shots. (my uncle has threatened more than once to do unholy things with my camera if I point it at him....thankfully I have a long lens to get him with from across the yard). My grandfather passed away when I was 7. We don't have a big family photo. 2 years ago before my grandmother passed away we had the whole family together and squished in a big clump for a big group photo - and I am SO glad we have it. (and I know many other people in my family are too.)

The day we took the photo it was raining, people were hot, kids were teething and grumpy and we almost didn't do it, it was said "let's just do it next time we're all here." If we would have waited for that it would have been too late.

I don't mean for this to be a downer post - but the article got me thinking. I know I'm guilty of it, not having the right outfit or just feeling blech about being in a family photo so I put it off. There are a tonne of photographers in this city - photographers to fit every style and budget (though you're of course all welcome to come my way, I'd love to have you) - don't put it off, waiting for the perfect moment - right now is that moment. Get a gift certificate for your own father for father's day - or your parent's anniversary - don't let another "we'll just do it next year" come out of your mouth!