Again, I’ve been challenged by my friend Jen. She has been waving the banner of self-love and self-acceptance, especially as it relates to body image.

It’s not unusual for we women to become the family photographer for the express purpose of staying behind the camera. Sure, we might come to enjoy taking photos of our ever photogenic children, and we might develop some real skill – but we’re still hiding. I knew this about myself, and somewhere deep inside I started feeling a little guilty about it. My children might never have photographic evidence of a mother. I figured even if the pictures were bad, at least there would be family pictures – and they might be very important someday.

In the age of Facebook, I don’t have the same level of control over my image. Other people can take pictures and post them and tag me for all the world to see. This has been a real exercise in humility. (I have only untagged myself once.) I had a friend tell me one time after some party pictures of us got posted that I did not photograph well. You might think this was an insult, but I was delighted! I thought it was one of the kindest things ever said to me. I’ve always thought I was better than pictures revealed, so I was thrilled that someone else thought the same thing. Big relief.

Anyway, per Jen’s request, I am posting some recent photos. I almost never ask someone to take a picture (unless it is an event, like a race), but I took one with my mother at the beach, I got another with my husband (again, not nealy enough of those), and the last is on Christmas morning with my “baby”, Ginger (in her new Christmas hoodie!). Funny, I like the Christmas morning picture best – and that’s no make-up, bed-head, and PJs. I should look pretty jacked up, but it’s not so bad.