I take hundreds of photos every month, and most of them don’t get shared with anyone, let alone online. And yet the moments in time that those photos capture are just as important a part of our story as the other images that I do choose to share.
I originally created this blog as a way of documenting our lives, a way of watching the girls grow into who they’re going to be and a way of remembering who they once were. It’s something I want them to be able to look back on as they get older, because memories fade but (digital) photographs don’t.
It’s easy (and tempting) to only focus on sharing the fun bits, the memorable parts, the highlights and the celebrations. But I’m learning more and more as I continue through this crazy journey of motherhood that it’s really important to me that I capture the ordinary, everyday times that we spend together as well. The bits of the jigsaw that fill in the gaps to complete the picture. The tantalising glimpses into who our girls are becoming.
The chaos, the calm and all the moments in between.
This monthly feature – The Moments In Between – is a space for me to share all of those magical bits that would otherwise just stay in a folder on my laptop, never to see the light of day.
DECEMBER
Whereas November felt like a month of preparation, December has very much been a month of celebration. Two birthdays (Ella’s twelfth and the husband’s fortieth); Christmas, surprise visits from family; plus the school holidays crammed with our many festive traditions have all filled up my cup with the good things I’ve been needing. It’s been busy and chaotic and noisy and overwhelming and wonderful all at once.
I’ve very much relished the final ten days of this last chapter of the year where I’ve switched off from work completely and focused on family and spending quality time together. It’s given me the chance to reflect on 2018 and look ahead to the coming twelve months of 2019. I captured many, many images in December – both on my big camera and on my phone – and whilst we haven’t had as many outdoor adventures as I would have liked, I also know that we’ve all needed this downtime at home to rest and recharge ready to begin all over again in January.
I’m so pleased with this collection of photos – they’re all special in their own way and as always, I love every single one of these images. So very much. There are some new favourites in there for sure. Every single one has a meaning for me deeper than the surface level of what you see. Every single one brings back feelings and thoughts and moments I want to remember. Joy and contentment and comfort and calm and love. Every single one speaks to me in so many ways. Every single one is a piece of our jigsaw.
Every single one tells part of our story.
This is us.
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Kathryn Booth
These are lovely. What I’ve noticed is that you’re appearing more in these photos, whether that’s intentional or not, I’m not sure, but it’s great to see. I think it’s important to step in front of the camera too sometimes, even if we don’t really enjoy it!
Chloe Ridgway
Thank you so much Kathryn. Well spotted – I am intentionally trying to get more comfortable with stepping in front of the camera, even if it’s just for a quick selfie. I want my girls to know that I was there too and I wasn’t just hiding behind my lens all the time. It’s tough, like you say, because it feels uncomfortable and unfamiliar. But the more something happens, the more it will, so I figure the more I choose to step outside of my comfort zone, the easier it will get. Fingers crossed anyway!