i didn't take a photo...
I didn’t take a photo of a little girl’s determined face as she insisted on music, no this song, right now.
I didn’t take a photo of joy when the little girl’s arms swayed overhead finding their own rhythm as she moved her hips and stomped her foot, right then left, repeat repeat repeat.
I didn’t take a photo when she giggled and ran into her mother’s arms so they could rock back and forth during her favorite part.
I didn’t take a photo of a little girl beginning to sing as she twirled in circles, her face raised toward the sky.
I didn’t take a photo of a mother’s face filled with so much love that it surrounded them like a forcefield.
I didn’t take a photo…
I stayed right there soaking up every second.
*
Sometimes people ask me how I balance capturing “this moment” with experiencing this moment. Often, I just let go of the need to get the photo. I try to open my eyes and heart to take in as much as I can: what I see, hear, feel, hope, know in that moment. When I do this, sometimes I even sense that there is something greater than me shining a light on it all…trust perhaps…love for sure. And then later, if I remember, I try to write down all that I can…letting my words tell the story.
*
A few songs on our current favorite playlist:
Don’t Stop Believin’ [Glee version]
Rumour Has It [Adele]
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard [Paul Simon]
Stronger [Kelly Clarkson]
Love You Like a Love Song [Selena Gomez and the Scene]
The Cave [Mumford and Sons]
Somebody that I Used to Know [Goyte]
Graceland [Paul Simon]
Happy Feet (Musica per i vostri piedi, madame) [Paolo Conte]
Rockin’ Robin [Michael Jackson]
life with EJ in here
Reader Comments (6)
Beautiful sentiment! Sometimes it's hard to put the lens down, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep the moment.
I have such a lovely picture in my head and heart even without the photographs you didn't take.
I'm one of those people who ask about experiencing vs. capturing. I tend strongly toward experiencing and sometimes wish I would capture just a little more—especially when I look back at what I captured and it triggers memories I had forgotten.
ohhhhhhhhh...ok...i loved this post
but i also have to say how HAPPY i am to hear another adult admit to liking i love you like a love song...
heeeheehee...i bopped away to that in the car last night and thought how much my kids would cringe if they could see me...
heeheeheehee
I absolutely LOVE this!!! I can see it in my mind.....and it's beautiful!!
I feel you on this. It's such a conflict for me. I realize I am not fully participating in the moment if I'm behind the camera, but I also want to capture such precious moments so that I can experience them again and again.
I so often don't take photos because I find it so hard to be out with the family and still be present - I'm an introvert and so much just seems like coping. The flip side is that we have no photos of us doing the fun things and many photos of us just at home being us. I feel like a lousy photographer - I love to capture the essence of other people but feel like a hipocrite that my camera's away when I'm with my own family. But I refuse to drag the camera along when it just doesn't feel right to do so. Still finding my way as a photographer, I guess.