More Than Just Pics: Why Capturing the Everyday Magic Matters So Much to Me

Okay, so I’m sitting here looking at these pictures Tanner took of me, and honestly, they just hit different. You know when you have one of those days where the sun is just hitting right, the kids are laughing, and you just feel… present? This was one of those days. And I’m so freakin’ grateful that I have these photos to remember it all. It got me thinking about why these kinds of pictures, the unposed, real-life ones, mean so much to me, and why I think it’s so important for all of us to capture those everyday moments.

I feel like we live in a world where everything is so curated, right? Like, every photo has to be perfect, every angle just so. And don’t get me wrong, I love a good styled shoot as much as the next girl. But there’s something truly magical about the photos that just… happen. The ones where you’re not even thinking about it, and someone you love just snaps a picture of you being you. Those are the ones that really capture a feeling, a memory, a moment in time that you can look back on and just *feel* again. For me, these pictures Tanner took are exactly that. They’re not perfect, I’m probably making a weird face in some of them, but they’re *real*. And that’s what I love about them so much. They remind me of a day that was just pure, simple joy.

The Power of the Unposed Moment

I swear, sometimes the best photos are the ones you didn’t even know were being taken. Like, Tanner will just randomly pull out his phone or camera and snap a pic, and those are always my favorites. Bc I’m not posing, I’m not trying to look a certain way. I’m just living. And those are the moments I want to remember. The way Stella’s hair falls when she’s concentrating, Ozzy’s goofy grin when she thinks no one’s looking, or baby Cherry’s little hand reaching for something. Those are the things that make up our life, you know? It’s not just the big milestones, it’s the tiny, everyday magic that happens in between. And I think we often forget to document those bc we’re so focused on the 'big' stuff. But tbh, the 'small' stuff is the big stuff.

It’s funny, I used to be so self-conscious about pictures of myself if I wasn’t ready or if I didn’t have makeup on. But as I’ve gotten older, especially after having the girls, I just care less about that. I want to see *me*. I want to see the real me, the mom me, the wife me, the just-chillin’ me. And I want my girls to see that too. I want them to look back at these photos someday and see their mom, not some perfectly posed version of her. I want them to see the joy, the mess, the love. And I hope it gives them permission to be themselves too, imperfections and all. That’s why these photos from Tanner are so special. He sees me, truly sees me, and captures that. It’s a gift, honestly.

Why Your Partner (or Bestie!) Is Your Best Photographer

Okay, so this is a big one for me. I feel like Tanner just *gets* it. He knows my angles, yes, but more importantly, he knows my heart. He knows what makes me laugh, what makes me light up. And when he takes pictures, he’s capturing that genuine emotion. It’s not just a photo; it’s a moment seen through the eyes of someone who loves you. And there’s nothing more beautiful than that. I think sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to get professional photos, which are amazing, don’t get me wrong! But there’s a different kind of intimacy when it’s someone you share your life with behind the lens.

So, my advice? Hand your phone or camera over to your partner, your best friend, your mom, whoever you feel most comfortable with. And just let them snap away. Don’t pose, don’t overthink it. Just live your life and let them capture it. You’ll be so surprised by the gems you get. And it’s not just about getting good photos of *you*, it’s about capturing *them* too. I love seeing Tanner with the girls, just being a dad. Those are priceless. We have so many photos of me with the girls, but I always make sure to get ones of him too. Bc those memories are for all of us. And I want them to see their dad, their hero, in all his glory too. He’s such a good sport about it, even when I’m like, “Tanner, get a pic of this!” He always does. He’s my hype man, always.

Printing Your Memories: The Tangible Joy

This is something I’ve been trying to do more of lately. We have so many photos on our phones, right? Like, thousands. But how often do we actually *look* at them? Really look at them? I’m trying to get better at printing out some of our favorites. There’s just something about holding a physical photo in your hand, or seeing it framed on your wall, that’s different from scrolling through a screen. It feels more real, more permanent. It’s a little piece of that memory that you can actually touch. I’ve been making little photo albums for the girls, just filled with everyday moments, not just the big events. I want them to have those to flip through when they’re older. To see their childhood, not just on a screen, but in their hands. It’s like a little time capsule, you know? And it’s so easy to do now with all the online printing services. No excuses! Just do it! You won’t regret it, I promise.

Embracing the Imperfect: Blurry is Beautiful

Okay, this goes back to what I was saying about perfection. I used to delete any photo that was blurry, or where someone’s eyes were closed, or where the lighting wasn’t just right. But honestly, I’ve learned to love those photos. Sometimes, the blurry ones are the ones that capture the most movement, the most life. Like, a blurry photo of Stella running and laughing? That’s pure joy. It’s not a perfectly sharp, posed photo, but it tells a story. It tells the story of a happy kid, full of energy. And that’s way more important to me than technical perfection.

So, don’t be afraid of the imperfect photos. Embrace them. They’re often the most authentic, the most real. They show life as it is, not as we wish it was. And that’s a beautiful thing. Our lives are messy and chaotic and beautiful all at once. And our photos should reflect that. So, next time you see a photo that’s not 'perfect,' don’t delete it right away. Take a second look. Does it capture a feeling? A memory? A laugh? If it does, keep it. Those are the ones that will truly mean something to you years down the road. I promise. This day, for example, was just so easy and fun. And these pics bring me right back to that feeling. Heaven on earth fr. I’m so grateful for these memories and for Tanner capturing them. He’s the best. :,)

My Hopes for Our Family Photos

Ultimately, what I want for our family photos, whether they’re taken by Tanner, by me, or by a professional, is for them to tell our story. Our real, messy, beautiful story. I want my girls to grow up surrounded by memories, by evidence of the love that fills our home. I want them to see how much fun we had, how much we loved each other, how much joy there was in the everyday. And I want them to feel that same permission to be themselves, to live fully, and to capture their own moments when they’re older. Because life goes by so fast, you know? One minute they’re tiny babies, the next they’re running around, and then before you know it, they’ll be grown. And all we’ll have are these memories, these photos, to look back on. So let’s make sure we’re capturing the good stuff, the real stuff, the stuff that truly matters. ❤️