i have to admit that i (for one) kinda don’t. and i know there’s others out there who feel the same. many others. but why not? does it have anything to do with being afraid of how you think you look – or how you think you’ll look in photos (which are two different things, believe me i know!) but, what does that fear say about us: that we’re only willing to be seen & remembered if we know we look amazing & desirable? when you think about it, that’s really sad.

but what if we never make it? if we never attain whatever unrealistic pinnacle we have set the bar at? should we hide from the camera for ever?

no matter what we believe we look like, how our hair is behaving, what our skin is doing, how much or little we weigh, whether we’re healthy and fit or suffering from illness, injury or the effects of age – we are all works in progress, so let’s get rid of this unhealthy desire for wax-doll static perfection and honour the living moments of our journey, whatever that looks like.

this thought-provoking post by debsphotographs.com prompted me to write today’s note – and encourage you all to get in front of the camera for a change: whether that’s your own camera at home, your friends’ cameras, or even hiring a professional to help you celebrate your family’s life just as it is right now – don’t hide anymore, share yourself generously with the future and celebrate YOU today!

a pink quilted dressing gown, nightie, slippers and hair rollers. when i was a teenager, these items together made a great impression on me – one that persists to this day. picture this: 8am on a winter weekday morning, a family at home getting ready for school & work – when suddenly; a knock at the front door, which opens to reveal a middle-aged woman, dressed only in the items mentioned above, nervously clutching her gown closed around her neck.

“hello – may i please use your phone? my car broke down on the motorway, i’ve been walking for about 20 minutes…”

that’s kinda how life goes, isn’t it? if i may borrow a line: “no one expects the spanish inquisition.”

i’m certain that if this woman had any inkling that her car might break down after dropping her son off at work that morning, she would probably have taken the time to shower, do her hair, dress in warm clothes, and wear shoes suitable for walking a couple of kilometres (in full view of hundreds of rush-hour commuters). but, she didn’t. she took her car for granted and trusted it to keep her state of undress a secret; which is actually pretty shaky ground, because it’s doubtful the car was even aware of its extra responsibility that day.

however, i’m just as certain that from that day forward, her morning routine grew to include “get dressed, take hair out of rollers”… just in case. and why am i so certain? because from that day to this i have never left the house myself without making sure that i won’t look like an escaped mental patient if i have to get out of my own car. i just remember that beyond-embarassed look on her hair-rollered face and her wet muddy slippers below her nightdress, and suddenly find extra motivation to get ready properly.

so i just want to take the time to say thank you, anonymous 1980s doorstep lady, for that vivid and compelling demonstration – you probably saved me from a similar fate!

in other news lol, here’s a totally unrelated photo from last weekend

a unique pacific island community faces the first devastating effects of climate change, including a terrifying flood. will they decide to stay with their island home or move to a new and unfamiliar land, leaving their culture and language behind forever? low-lying takuu atoll is only about 1m above sea level and has already started to experience unprecedented flooding from king tides.

this powerful and heartwrenching new zealand-made documentary has won several awards already; if you get the chance, you should see it.

website & background information here