I generally don’t live with a lot of regrets. I try to live purposefully and conscious with my choices, actions and words. Even though I don’t think by any measure that I have “arrived” or done “it all”, I generally don’t have a sense of “being behind” on my goals or dreams.
However, If I had to name one “regret” it would be that I have not prioritised taking more family photos of me and my family over the years. As a photographer, I’m used to being behind the lens (and must admit I’m quite comfortable there!!). But, that also means that if purely judged off the family albums, it would look like my kids grew up with a single dad, as mum appears in very few photos!
I’m currently cleaning up old hard drives and came accross this family photo taken at a Hindu temple in Port Louis, Mauritius. Very precious to me now, but I realise that in the whole holiday, this is the only family picture we have, and holistically one of only a few we have over the years.
Want to have some advice from a photographer who takes family photos all the time?? TAKE THOSE PHOTOS. Use the camera, the mobile device, the handheld shoot and point ANY DEVICE or get a professional shoot done – but TAKE THEM. I have never heard any client over the years say to me: Leonie – I SO regret having family photos taken ten years ago!” Or, “Oh Leonie I so regret paying R2500 for that family shoot ten years ago”. Never! The feedback is almost always: “Oh Leonie we still love those photos.” or “Oh in hindsight that was such a special time because now so and so is gone” and the list goes on.
There is that saying that goes: “If you don’t think photos are important, wait until they are all you have left.” It feels a bit heavy, but it hit me very deeply the first time I read it.
Yours in capturing YOU, Leonie
