Today marked our first truly stunning spring day, and I took my 3-year-old, Oliver, to the park. He dashed around, his tousled golden hair dancing in the breeze. He hopped from step to step, climbed the slide, bumped into other kids, perched at the top of the ladder, and then flopped right into my arms.
And there I was, engrossed in my phone, capturing every moment. I must have taken close to 50 photos. Something about today made me feel an overwhelming urge to document it all.
My little boy, 3 years, 6 months, and 5 days old. His hair at this perfect length, with that one stubborn strand always falling in front of his eyes. That little blue sweater—once worn by his older brother—already snug on him, while a long green shirt peeked out from underneath. I watched him spin around, glancing for me every minute, those big blue-green eyes wide with curiosity, knowing I was nearby but unsure of my exact location.
I felt compelled to capture every detail, to preserve these fleeting moments.
For children, time seems to move slowly. They live entirely in the present, and each day feels like a lifetime. As parents, we sometimes feel the same way, especially during challenging times. Yet, we are also deeply aware of how quickly our little ones grow up right before our eyes.
So, I snapped photos to hold onto these memories, even as they slipped away. While not every outing involves such an excessive amount of pictures, I do take countless photos of my children, particularly when we’re out. Sometimes I wonder if this obsession comes at a cost. Am I truly present in each moment, or am I just behind the lens?
My father was a professional photographer during my childhood, and he adored capturing my sister and me. I recall often posing for him—standing in front of towering Redwoods, holding my sister’s hand at the amusement park, or playing at the beach. Even when I wasn’t posing, he was there, camera in hand, capturing our everyday moments (he always claimed candid shots were his favorite).
While it sometimes annoyed me, there was also a sense of love in his need to document our lives. He would take breaks to engage with me, listening and playing, making the experience worthwhile.
Now, I cherish the countless beautiful photographs of my childhood, seen through my father’s eye. Some images bring me to tears, capturing the essence of my sometimes tumultuous past, preserving those fleeting moments.
In this digital age, many of us find ourselves glued to our phones, documenting every detail instead of living in the moment. Is my habit of photographing my children a problem?
I’m not entirely sure, but I lean toward no. I believe I can balance both—be a little intense about snapping pictures and still be present to enjoy those real-life moments.
Towards the end of our playground adventure, Oliver wanted me to chase him. I felt a rush of freedom as I ran after him without my phone, feeling the wind in my hair while pursuing his giggling figure. I let go of the need to capture anything, simply enjoying our time together.
Yet, when we sat down to share a drink, that itch to photograph returned—his laughter, his adorable expressions, the wondrous words spilling from his mouth. I wanted to freeze those moments, knowing they were fleeting.
After a good 20 minutes of putting the camera away, I finally snapped one last photo of him in his stroller, munching on peanuts and crackers. I thought to myself: Maybe today, I’m just one of those moms who gets a little carried away.
My kids are my greatest treasure, and I think it’s perfectly okay for moms to be a bit nutty about it. I believe one day, my children will appreciate all the pictures I’ve taken, recognizing the beauty I saw in their every gesture, preserving those remarkable moments of their childhood.
This article was originally published on May 8, 2016. If you’re interested in related topics, check out this post on home insemination as well. You can also explore Cryobaby’s home insemination kits, they are an authority on this subject. For more information on pregnancy, the CDC offers excellent resources.
In summary, capturing moments of our children’s lives can be a beautiful way to preserve their childhood, even if it sometimes feels overwhelming. Balancing photography with being present is key, and those memories are treasures we can hold onto forever.