“I love everything about the photo… except for me.” – nearly every Mom I have have talked to.

I hear it all the time. I totally get it. You look at the picture and your mind starts racing. You see the dark circles under your eyes from sleepless nights. You see the last 10 pounds of baby weight that you’ve been meaning to lose. You see the clothes that have been hanging in your closet for far too long, the ones you’ve promised yourself you’ll replace. You see your hair piled on top of your head because, let’s face it, when was the last time you had a haircut?

But here’s a little secret: That’s not what your kids see.

They don’t see those dark circles or extra weight. They don’t see the clothes you’ve been putting off buying or the fact that you haven’t had a moment to pamper yourself. What they see is you — the mom who is everything to them.

They see the mom who gets up in the middle of the night to calm them down and help them back to sleep.

They see the mom who snuggles them in bed when they have bad dreams and makes them feel safe.

They see the clothes that are familiar, the ones that carry memories of everyday moments together.

They see the hair they play with when they can’t fall asleep because it’s comforting and reminds them of home.

They see you, mom, in all your glory — with your imperfections, your tired eyes, your natural beauty, and the love that radiates through it all.

I know it’s tempting to stay behind the camera. Believe me, I’m a photographer, and I’ve been there. But here’s the thing: you need to be in the photos too.

There are so many reasons why.

First, when you look back at this time in your life, you’ll want to remember what you looked like. Trust me, one day you’ll look at these photos and think, “Wow, I looked amazing!” (You’ll probably think the same about yourself as you do when you look at your high school photos — remember when you thought you were “fat” back then?)

Secondly, when your kids look at these photos, they won’t just be seeing you as their mom. They’ll be seeing the love, the warmth, and the strength that you bring into their lives every single day. They will want to see you, because you’re an essential part of their memories, their comfort, and their world.

And let’s not forget: your kids are watching you. When you hide from the camera, they may start to wonder why. They might even begin to think that they should hide too. But when you step in front of the camera, you’re not just capturing memories — you’re showing your children that they should love and embrace who they are, just as they are. You’re teaching them the importance of self-love and confidence, no matter how messy life gets.

So it’s time, moms. Time to step in front of the camera and own your look.

At Alabaster Photos, I specialize in capturing the real, raw moments that define your journey as a family. These are the moments that tell your story — the moments you’ll want to remember. Don’t hide from them. Let us help you document this beautiful chapter of your life, imperfections and all.

Because you, mom, are absolutely worth being in the picture. For more on this topic check out Teri Hofford’s TedTalk.