Please tell me I am not the only one. Yesterday I had grand plans of the perfect Mother’s Day photo. I pictured me looking fabulous, the kids as adorable as ever, all huddled around me just happy to be together. And while we were reveling in our happiness my husband would know just when to press the shutter and I would end up with the perfect photo of me and the kids. Please tell me I am not the only one who thinks this is an actual possibility.
Sadly, as I downloaded my photos my dreams were shattered. Where there should be smiling faces and love oozing out of everything, I have closed eyes, tears, and even a bit (okay, a lot) of snot oozing out of noses. I have kids being silly, six people with six different ideas of what we should be doing, and eyes that are apparently frightened of looking anywhere near the camera. These definitely won’t be going on a canvas anytime soon.
But you know what, I may not have perfection but I have reality. The outtakes, the not-so-perfect-but-oh-so-real photos are some of the truest to life photos we take. I mean really, are your kids always perfectly clean, perfectly happy, loving every moment of getting their picture taken? If they are, please tell me where you picked yours up and I’ll put mine up on Ebay and try some new ones. These photos, the imperfections and all, tell the story of the realness in our lives. Not every moment, nor every photo, is about a portrait-perfect time in our life. Instead, they are the real moments. They show the real personalities and the real chaos of life. And while I love those perfect photos, I secretly almost love outtakes just as much.
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Here are a few pages I have scrapped over the years that capture the “not so perfect” photos and moments. I LOVE having them! And you can better believe I will be scrapping yesterday’s shenanigans!
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And here are some pages I found in the galleries (all images are linked)
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So, come on, scrap the outtakes. Scrap those moments that didn’t turn out like you had hoped but are true to life nonetheless. They, maybe even more than the “perfect” photos, are who we really are.
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Hmmm, I wondered what prompted my getting a comment on a Christmas page yesterday! Thanks for showing off my “Out Takes” page. I love the others too!
I think it’s a great way to show reality, to show what your kids’ personalities really are!
I went through this also, every time I had my son’s pictures taken it would drive me nuts if he had drool on his chin, if he wasn’t smiling just right, or if his pants were rumpled in a funny way. I always wanted that perfect shot. My definition has now changed though, as I bought my first digital SLR and started taking photos… I quickly realized that the perfect photo is when I just go with the flow and capture shots of my kids playing, and fighting, and just BEING. And the “professional” shots that I want to be so perfect, well, they are just a true image of what my son looked like, today, at that moment. And I love the age of digital, as I can take 30 photos, keep the 3 or 4 good ones and ditch the rest if I really want to!
Thank you. This is just what I needed. I had that same sinking feeling and Mother’s Day photo dreams crushed when I looked at my pictures. One day, one day I will have a good Mother’s Day photo, dangit!
omg!!! like you read my own fantasy-filled delusional mind, only judging from your pic at the top of the post, at least you got one ——- it’s a darling shot. my dh, sadly, all thumbs on the shutter, didn’t even get one that could be ps’d to the max & still be usable…………….maybe next year!!!
love this site, by the way, & stop by just about every day to see what’s new!
You’re completely delusional. Sorry to have to be the one to tell you. But at least you’re not alone. I also dream of great photos with pretty smiles, perfectly matched outfits and everyone’s eyes open. Oh, and somehow the camera makes me look slimmer and with make-up because I never seem to find time to put it on these day! I love your outtakes. I don’t seem to have much time to scrap, but those are the very vision I have of all those half-photos.
I have done that but its great to have the reminder.
I agree … life happens in the everyday – not just the “picture perfect” moments. Thanks for the reminder of just how important those less than perfect photos are!
I find I’m very ruthless when it comes to sending those not-so-perfect pics to the recycle bin because I’m always trying to free up hard drive space. I think it’s time to start saving some of those pictures. Project 365 has helped me realize that everyday life is what is most important and your post has reinforced that for me. This weekend my youngest was sick and had a low grade fever. I took a quick picture of her while she was resting and it’s not perfect but she is definitely still beautiful. I want to remember everything!
I love capturing those every day moments. The smiles, the tears, ALL the emotions. It’s just not always so easy. Sometimes I try to capture my monkeys having tantrums, but as soon as they see the camera they run and hide. LOL. Great outtakes layouts.
lol If I didn’t scrap out-takes, I’d never have any pictures to scrap
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Janet, I feel your pain. I have 7 kids, all have spouses but one and 12 grandchildren. Recently all the grandkids were together. I literally had to force my kids to bring the grandkids for a photo shoot. I couldn’t figure out why. LTS, 1600 pictures later not one great, group photo! I was disappointed but grateful that at least I had a photo. I was also irritated with my kids for not being more helpful and supportive during the shoot. Come to find out they had all been together the day before and taken the most adorable pictures of all the gkids for Mother’s day. They debated about telling me, but didn’t. I was thrilled to get the photo. My “bad” pics? Now, I think they’re great. They show the real “circus” of the day, I love them.
I don’t usually find that a picture is lost… the thing is… with so many resources (PS, LR, actions, presets, etc) we can make almost (ALMOST) every picture looks good. And yes… kids are a chalenge when it comes to take picture… but I can’t complain… I only have one and she loves being in front of the camera (i don’t know how long this will last… hopefully forever)