“Mommy, you’re so pretty!”  My first reaction to hearing those words coming out of my 5-year old’s mouth was to laugh and roll my eyes.  Then I looked at his sweet smiling face and saw he was serious.  We were looking at pictures we recently took. It was kind of a nightmare session and things didn’t work out the way I wanted them to.  I hated how I looked, but know the importance of having those pictures and memories.  I told him thank you and asked which pictures he liked best.  “I love the ones where we are hugging and kissing.”  Me too buddy! 

This exchange was a great example of why having your picture taken is so important.  I had someone say to me once, “I don’t need any pictures of myself, I’m not that vain”.  Taking your pictures are not for you, they are for your loved ones!  Besides, even if you wanted it for you… SO WHAT if someone thinks your vain.  I say GOOD for you! Too many people, myself included, miss out on those memories and regret it later.  Too many people are caught up in what other people will think of them.  Myself included. This is something that I am trying hard to get better about.  Every time I flinch about having my picture taken, I try to remind myself that this is what my family wants. 

So please do me a favor this holiday season.  Get in the picture.  Take as many pictures of your loved ones and with your loved ones.  These times and these memories are important.  So many times, I wish I could go back and get a picture that I missed out on.   

To me, the best Holiday pictures aren’t the ones posed in front of the Christmas tree.  I love the real moments. Pictures of loved ones opening a much-anticipated gift or a gag gift. A shot of the family laughing or joking around.  Get creative with your shots and set something up to look through a tree branch or decoration.  Reflections of faces in ornaments or lights reflecting off a face.  There are so many ways you can jazz up your traditional holiday photos.   Hugs, get lots and lots of hugs and kisses.  I have a very old picture of myself as a young child with my grandma.  We are embraced in a hug with the cheesiest smiles on both our faces, but it is my favorite!  You see the love!  My grandma died when I was about 15.  All I have are those pictures and those memories.  I never regret this picture of me hugging her.  I don’t regret any of the pictures of me hugging and kissing my son. 

Most importantly, learn how to use that timer…  make sure you are in some of the photos too.  Set up your phone or camera and sit down at the table with your family.  Sit around the tree amongst the wrapping paper and set your camera on the floor.  The posed family photos are nice too, but make sure you are in them and get creative. I guarantee you will love it and have lasting memories.