One of my photography goals in 2014 was to get in the frame with my kids more. At least once a month!
While this seems easy to do, it actually is quite difficult when you have two small children. To get out the tripod, set everything up, clear the clutter and get them to cooperate…suddenly the task seems impossible.
Following some advice from great blog posts, here’s what I do:
1 : Set up tripod
2 : Put my camera on timer
3 : Give us 10 seconds before the first photo is taken
4 : Program my camera to take 10 photos with a 2 second interval with one click of the shutter
5 : Bribe my kids with a sucker if they cooperate
6 : Let them push the shutter (taking turns) so it is fun and interactive for them
Recipe for success? With me, not quite.
Out of 150 photos (yes – a lot of clicking going on!), I had 0 good photos, 20 “bad” photos and 130 automatic deletes. The elusive photo I wanted of all three of us looking lovingly into the camera didn’t happen.
Some are out of focus. In some I’m talking. In some I’m grabbing them to get back in the photo. Some have closed eyes. Some have grimaces. Some have limb chops.
But you know what? I don’t care. Of my 20 ‘bad’ ones, I still love them. In fact, I cherish them.
Here are 10 reasons why I love my bad photos.
1 : I love my daughter’s smile.
2 : I love my son’s tender heart.
3 : I love that my daughter has a lovey that barely leaves her side.
4 : I love my son’s love of legos.
5 : I love the giggles.
6 : I love my smile.
7 : I love the sibling almost-fights. (He didn’t actually knee her…but it sure looks inevitable in this photo.)
8 : I love Saturday afternoons with my kids.
9 : I love the kisses.
10 : I love my kids.
Of course, on this particular Saturday I don’t need 130 bad photos in my Lightroom catalog to love. About 12 will suffice. And they’ll look great in my annual photo book!
Now I want to see your bad photos! Let me know in the comments below, how have you embraced your bad photos? No need to be shy. Be proud! Blog about your love of bad photos and share a link below. I really want to leave some blog love for your bad photos too! <3
