I took the kids to our local children’s museum on Friday. We recently bought a membership, which frees me of feeling like I have to take my camera EVERY time. So, I was sitting near the train tables, enjoying the fact that my children were busy and content and not asking for anything at the moment. Next to me was another mom. Her two sons were playing on the other train table and were obviously VERY involved. She was trying to take their picture; capture the wonder of a moment of contented play, no doubt. Yet, her mama crazies were rearing their ugly head.
Crazy Camera-Cocked Mama: Alex! Smile for me! I want to take your picture
(Alex completely IGNORES his mother.)
CCCA: Alex! Do you see the light? Can you smile at the light? Where is the light, honey? Where is it? Can you smile for me? Smile! Alex! Smile!
(Alex looks up for about 1/2 second, CCCA snaps the photos just in time to catch the top of Alex’s head as he’s started playing again.)
CCCA: Argghhh! Alex, can you make a silly face? Alex! Look at me and show me your silly face? Can you do this? (making funny faces at Alex, who continues to ignore her) Alex! I want a picture of you playing with the trains! Can you look at me? Alex? Alex! Smile, Alex!
SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!
CCCA proceeds to take several shots, sans Alex’s smile, of the top of her kid’s head. She is obviously frustrated at what she’s taken, but relieved, I’m sure, to be getting closer to her 100-shots-of-our-fun-day-at-the-museum digital camera quota. I was sitting there literally trying to keep myself from laughing---not for the fact that she wanted to capture the moment, or for the fact that her kids weren’t cooperating, but because I’m QUITE sure I’ve been in the same predicament and acted in the same silly, annoying manner many times.
Don’t get me wrong….I totally understand how “mamarazzi” happens. I know how fun it is to get that perfect picture of your picture-perfect offspring, especially if you are spending the day together doing something fun and different from the norm. But I think digital magic has brought out the crazies in the mamas. Have you ever taken 100+ photos of a single afternoon’s activities? Guilty as charged. However, I do have to say life is MUCH better with my never-delays-when-I-push-the-button, Cannon Rebel (thanks Santa!). Hooray for technology….and for the “delete photo” button to help us forget all those top-of-the-head or back-of-the-body shots!
Keep smiling! (SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!) Because is there really such a thing as too many photos?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
...and now that I blog, I find myself taking even more, strange photos of every minute little thing in case I want to share it with everyone later. Thank goodness for the delete button!
I am feeling embarrassed to read this, because I know I am guilty of this too! Maybe I'll be a little more aware next time, but moms just don't want to miss a second!
ha! CCCA is such a great code-word to describe this phenomenon. I think avoiding that behavior is why I don't take my camera everywhere. Plus, I don't particularly like it when they smile...but I am a sinister soul, I admit.
I never take pictures. Ohhhhhhhhh. I feel so guilty!
I take TONS of photos in an attempt to get a few keepers. I've learned to be happy with shots other than the ones where my kids are beaming at my lens (although there are plenty of moments that I"m bribing for ONE headshot).
I've also learned that NOT every environment will give me the photo I want - maybe a moment, but not a fabulous photograph. I guess we are all learning.
Mamarazzi-that's hilarious. I am equally guilty. I don't think my camera is every really "put away". It's always sitting out on the kitchen counter or on top of the piano where I can grab it and go.
Post a Comment