I clicked “like” as I looked through the images on Instagram.
My friend’s Instagram photos of her family’s adventure to a cut-your-own tree farm were adorable. Her little ones popping their head under the tree as dad sawed away at the trunk. I smiled, continued through my feed, and moved on.
Later that day, our family was putting on hats and mittens to go to the local IGA to select a small Christmas tree.
I paused as I went to grab my camera.
Her picture-perfect Instagram moments raced through my mind; should I even waste my time taking my DSLR to a grocery store parking lot?
I stared at my camera.
My friend would be flabbergasted if she knew that was my delayed reaction to her photographs.
But this is what I do, this is what many of us do . . .
We compare ourselves to the better house, the better vacation, the better mom, the better life on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.
I shook my head, frustrated with myself, grabbed my camera and headed to meet my family in the car.
When we got to IGA, I decided to embrace the moment for what it was — perfectly imperfect.
My kids didn’t care if we got our tree from the grocery store or a picture-perfect tree farm, so why should it matter to me?
Life is too short to waste time comparing ourselves with others.
Do you remember playing hide-and-seek among the Christmas trees as a kid? Me too!
I was walking around looking at the trees when suddenly Quinn’s little head quietly popped out as she looked for her sister.
I could have missed these shots if I’d left my camera at home because I was too busy comparing our experiences with something I saw on Instagram.
Whether you’re using a DSLR or a camera phone, take photos for YOU — not for social media.
Simple Photo Tip: I once read that if you ask the people you’re photographing to “touch cheeks” it immediately adds a sense of intimacy to the photo (above left).
A quick warning, if you use this trick long enough, be prepared for your kids to eventually throw their butt cheeks together and laugh hysterically.
We’ve had an adorable almost Charlie Brown-Esque minimalist tree for the last ten years.
This is the first time in YEARS that we’ve got a fresh Christmas tree. As a kid, I remember coming down the stairs into our family room and smelling the fresh Christmas tree each morning. I loved it.
I had almost forgotten . . .
Each night as I look at our imperfect tree, I smile.
As I turn the lights on, I hum “Oh Tannenbaum, Wie treu sind deine blatter,” the way my Grandma Gertrude did.
I’ll say it again…
Life is too short to waste time comparing ourselves with others.
Here’s to being happy within your moment.
P.S. Do you know a mom who need to read this too? Share this article on Facebook.
Here’s some more Christmas inspiration…
One last thing, my attempts to take DSLR Christmas photos in the past have been horrible. For that reason, you’ll constantly find photography guests posts here at Let’s Lasso the Moon. Every time I meet a photographer, I ask for their secrets!
Below are 5 of my favorite holiday photos tutorials and posts:
- How to Take Photos by the Christmas Tree
- How To Take Christmas Tree Portraits with Bokeh (Blurry Background)
- 5 Holiday Photography Tips for Beginners from Real Moms
- 5 Photography Tips for Getting Natural Smiles from Children
- How NOT to take a Christmas card photo
Here is our little IGA Christmas tree . . . Can you hear me humming “Oh Christmas Tree” in German?
I am sharing this imperfect photo of my unevenly lit tree because, well, because it was the best I could do and I am proud of our little imperfect tree.
Holiday Glow Recipe:
- 50mm
- ISO 1600
- f1.8
- 1/15th
Want to attempt to capture the glow, too?
Read this great guest post How to Take Photos by the Christmas Tree from Snap Happy Mom.