Today’s moms are taking tons of pictures with their phones and digital cameras, which is fantastic—as long as we remember what our pictures are about.  Years from now, we don’t want to look at our pictures and think, Where were we? or worse, How old were the kids in this picture? or worst of all, Is that my oldest or my youngest?

And then there are the intangible things we want to remember but can’t really photograph…like the way my oldest used to say “strawbabies” instead of “strawberries,” or how my preschool-aged daughter’s favorite color was brown(!), or how thankful I am for my youngest’s joyful disposition.  We think we’ll always remember those kinds of things—but what if we don’t?

Any mom’s spirit can be cluttered by the feeling that she isn’t taking enough pictures.  It’s easy to be overwhelmed by how quickly our kids are growing up.  We don’t want to miss it—and we don’t want to forget what it’s like right now.

With a little thought and some intention, you can take more pictures and enjoy more of your memories.  You can choose an everyday moment that you’d like to capture, or wait for inspiration to strike!  Keep your camera handy, because you never know when a great moment will happen.

Here are a few things to be on the look out for…or do on purpose, just for the pictures.  (Don’t knock it—who cares if it’s a little contrived?   You’re still having fun!)