10 Photos That Will Inspire You to Pick Up Your Camera
A lot of mamas tell me that they struggle with knowing what to take pictures of during their day-to-day.
I can 100% relate to this. Having days and weeks of feeling really uninspired is so normal! Sometimes it’s hard to see the magic in your day because often, the most beautiful things are really mundane and normal. They’re so common to us that they tend to lose some of their wonder.
One thing I do to stay inspired is that I follow some really talented photographers on Instagram. Some of them are professionals, some of them are mom bloggers, and some of them are hobbyists who just love taking pictures of their kids. Some of them I watch from a distance and some I am lucky enough to call dear friends.
All of them are straight up bosses and they inspire me so much. I have many of their images saved in a “Collection” on Instagram. When I feel uninspired, I can look at their images and see where they’re seeing the beauty in their day. It never fails to inspire me to try something new or see something beautiful in my own day.
I wanted to share some of my favorite images with you, in hopes that it will inspire you to take a picture today :) I’m not going to be too wordy in this post because my words can’t really do the images justice - they truly speak for themselves.
1. Tarah Sweeney
Tarah is a professional photographer, but this is an image of her own kids. She captured the magic of childhood so well in this series. It totally made me catch my breath when I saw these. It’s a good reminder that powerful images don’t have to be staged portraits or involve eye-contact and perfect backdrops.
She shared a quote with the IG post where she shared this photo and it’s too perfect:
“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.”
2. Taran Lee Photography
This image reminds me to always look for different perspectives that can tell the story in a better, more creative way. I love how it shows how little this baby is in it’s mamas hands.
My heart is for you to have images of your everyday that you take yourself, with whatever camera you have available to you, whether it’s an old iPhone or an entry level DSLR camera.
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3. Amber Talbert
I love this image because of its focus on the details. Amber is using a technique called “free lensing” which is probably my favorite creative technique in all of photography. I love how it add’s intentional blur and focus to different parts of the image. Free lensed images are perfectly imperfect - which is what our motherhood and our kid’s childhoods are, too. It’s one of my favorite ways to capture my kids, and Amber’s picture is so powerful to me.
4. Leslie Tresher
.The thing I love about this image is the way that I can see myself and my own motherhood in Leslie’s image. It’s one of the best things about the art of photography - the photographer can speak through an image and evoke emotions without ever saying a word. How many times have we as moms sat on the floor holding our babies? This image reminds me of times when Locke gets hurt and we both sit on the floor crying - him because he’s physically hurting - and me because my heart is hurting for him.
5. Maddi Hanson
What I love about Maddi’s photography is how she captures the real and the authentic. Her images are raw and beautiful and she captures connection so well in her self-portraits with her kids. She doesn’t hide the imperfections like a sink full of dishes or try to color coordinate her kids for every photo. She creates some of the most beautiful images of a mom and her kids I’ve ever seen.
6. Jess buttermore
Again with the details. I love how Jess captured this image - you don’t see either of their faces, but this picture is able to tell such a strong story & evoke so much emotion.
7. Adri De La Cruz
Adri is queen of the creative self-portrait & I have learned so much from her. I LOVE looking through her images for creative self-portrait ideas. Occasionally, if i’m feeling uninspired, I’ll pick one of her images and try to create my own version to get me out of my comfort zone, flex my photography skills, and try something new. Her use of light, shadows, and leading lines is so inspiring.
8. Sarah Driscoll
First of all, this is an iPhone image. So let’s all just agree that Sarah is legit.
She is such an artist and her images always teach me something new. Her page is full of inspiration and her writing is real and honest.
9. Sarah Withers
I love how innocent this picture is and how well it captures childhood. I love how Charlotte’s little hands are so gentle with her chick and how Sarah captured farm life with kids in one shot. She slowed down enough to capture the moment and to appreciate the magic of it all.
“Have you ever held a tiny, fluffy chick in your hands and felt it’s little beating heart thrumming between your palms? It really is magic”
10. Becca Cannon
This picture is one of my favorites because of the perspective and the connection it captures. Becca took this self-portrait with her husband and I love how you can just tell that they’re best friends. Sometimes I get so busy taking pictures of the kids that I forget to take pictures of my husband and I. This photo always reminds me how important it is to document us and our love, too.
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