I’ve been contemplating this question for quite some time now: Is it better to be present, or try to capture the moment with a picture?

With Zackery and Brayden both being so young, they are constantly learning, trying and doing new things. I have always been somewhat camera-happy (well, ask my husband and he will tell you that’s an understatement). I know not every picture I snap is going to be “the one” so I pretty much watch them through the camera lens. It doesn’t always relay the same emotion as watching it live, even though I’m still right there. I do it because I don’t want to forget the look on their face or how they have accomplished a new joy. I want to have those pictures so we can look back at the memories and say “oh yeah, remember when…”

But lately I feel like I’m missing out on the moment by always whipping out my camera (or more lately, my phone).

For example, Brayden was at swim lessons last week and he was finally comfortable enough to participate in his class with the four other little kids. His lesson is short, and each kid gets a turn with the instructor, practicing what they are learning. By the time I would have gotten my camera phone out and to the camera app, Brayden would have been done with his little swim trip out and back, kicking his legs and doing his big ice cream scooper arms, and I would have missed the whole thing. So instead I just watched, and smiled and told him “Good job!” when he got back to the wall. I feel good about staying present, in the moment, but I also wish I had a picture.

A few days ago I took Brayden down to the river for a little bike ride / walk. There is a relatively flat, paved bike path that I enjoy more and more, and I am starting to remember how much I like to go down there. We dropped Zack off at his summer day camp just across the street (Urban Roots Eco-Art Camp at the River School Farm – FANTASTIC!), and then Brayden and I took a stroll along the serene, peaceful, beautiful river. He had his cute little bike helmet which made him look like the most adorable bobble-head ever (as if he’s not already cute enough), and his red, balance Strider bike, complete with the turtle horn. He rode down the path, happy as can be, while I walked next to him.

It was a perfect morning: Zack was happily learning at his day camp, Brayden was burning off some energy outside, and I was even getting a little exercise. At one point we stopped to “re-fuel” his bike. He had found a stick (which he does almost every time we are outside) and was pretending it was the gas to put in his bike, which I “filled up” by shooting it into the bolt on his back tire. Pretty imaginative, that kid! I did what I was so used to doing before, and got out my phone. “Hold on one second, Mommy wants to take a picture.” The difference this time, however, was that I was conscious that I only wanted to capture one moment, which I did (with only one picture), and then turned my phone off and put it back in my pocket.

Strider-biking along the river

We finished our bike ride / walk and I am completely content having been 100% present, and still I have a photo to remember the moment. Maybe that’s the key: stop once (or perhaps twice if you must) to take a picture, but then put that camera away and just be present.

I think one of the worst things that can happen is to miss a moment because you were too busy trying to capture it.

If you experience the moment, you will always have that memory in your mind and in your heart – and if you’re afraid of forgetting it… write it down later.

There are endless more memories and moments coming my way, and hopefully coming yours too. Click once, be present always. 🙂