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 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.
SEPTEMBER
As every month this year seems to be doing, September disappeared in a blur of going back to school, high school open evenings and sports events. A lot of my headspace was taken up with preparing for my solo trip to Colorado and as a consequence, we didn’t really have many adventures and I felt like I didn’t really pick up my camera very much. It’s felt a little strange – September is normally my favourite month but this time I just couldn’t seem to find my rhythm and I got frustrated with myself for that. Silly really, but I try and keep things honest and real here and it’s been a genuinely tricky few weeks for all of us.
As always, when I came to write this post I worried about whether I’d have enough photos, and I didn’t know what I’d have to say as I haven’t felt very ‘present’ recently, my head always seeming to be somewhere else and mentally going over lists of things I’ve needed to do. And as usual my worries were unfounded because of course there are enough images and each and every one of them is part of what makes us who we are. Each and every one of them tells part of our story.
This is us.
Caro | The Twinkle Diaries
Aaah these are such gorgeous pictures Chloe!! I’m the same — I have hundreds and hundreds of photos that never see the light of day. We’re quite good in that we put holidays and big events into photobooks, but all the random events that I absentmindedly snap away at never get seen. Lovely idea! 🙂 xx
Caro | The Twinkle Diaries recently posted…Seasonal Skincare featuring Green People
Chloe Ridgway
Thank you Caro 🙂 I keep meaning to make photobooks of birthdays and holidays and never seem to find the time to sit down and create them. It’s something I really want to do though!
Sarah Christie
Ah Chloe they are all gorgeous and build up such a lovely picture of your family life I love them all, and woohooo I a so excited for you all going to Florida we love it x
Chloe Ridgway
Thank you Sarah! We’re excited too!
Heledd - Running in Lavender
Aw Chloe what a beautiful post and a great idea. I take so many pictures and do nothing with them. They just sit on my hard-drive and I go on taking more shots on my camera or iPhone. My oldest daughter got her own little point and shoot camera for her birthday and she also loves taking pictures, so we’ve got even more now. My girls love a 2p machine, they’d be happy playing with them all day. Great pictures, as always xx
Heledd – Running in Lavender recently posted…Ten Reasons Why You Should Try the HelloFresh Family Boxes
Chloe Ridgway
Oh Heledd the photos of yours tat I see on Instagram are lovely – do print some out as I’m sure they’d look lovely framed in your home 🙂
Suzanne
Oh I love these photographs, they really do tell a story of your family and capture the spirit of you all. So many gorgeous expressions on faces, especially that last one! I totally ‘get’ what you’re saying about not feeling truly present at any time. I actually couldn’t tell you what happened to September, it seemed to fly past in a blur and I hate that feeling. Your trip to Colorado sounds fab though! xx
Chloe Ridgway
Thank you Suzanne 🙂 September absolutely flew past and that’s exactly why I take so many photos, so I can remember everything and not forget it all.
Kerri-Ann
I love this post so much. This is why I pull our family adventures together each month – to remember the little moments. How exciting is your October? Your girls are gorgeous and a testament to you both x
Kerri-Ann recently posted…Celebrating the little things {The school run}
Chloe Ridgway
Oh gosh Kerri-Ann that’s such a lovely thing to say – thank you! October is going to be super-exciting for sure 🙂
Morgana
Gorgeous pictures! I’m so jealous that your girls love the camera and don’t mind having their photo taken. My two HATE it, even when they know I’m not even going to share the photo. It makes me sad that I have less and less pictures of them now they are getting older. I must have a think about how to change that. xx
Chloe Ridgway
Thanks Morgana. My girls don’t always let me take photos – I get as many “no”s as yeses – and I only share them if they give me permission. I’m sure there will come a time where they will want more privacy. Maybe we could arrange a photoshoot with you an your girls one day? Perhaps they’d be happier if it was a fun event including their Mum that would leave them with happy memories as well as lovely pictures?
Kerry
Ha – you sound like me! I have SO many photos it’s unreal. I keep meaning to edit them down (I literally have tens of thousands!), but the task is just too daunting!! xx
Chloe Ridgway
Oh gosh I can’t even begin to imagine starting the task of archiving everything. I really need to though – it’s going to take a fair few external hard drives I think…
Jenny
Love your photos. Must have a photo playdates again soon. So fun! Hooray for Disney. We are dying to go but plans for it next year have changed so we don’t know when we will get the chance. Sounds amazing. Have fun for us! lol #wrc
Jenny recently posted…Blanket Scarves & Pumpkin cocktails, Autumn is here #littleloves
Chloe Ridgway
Yes to a photo play date sometime soon Jenny! I hope you do get the chance to go to Disney – we’ve been saving up for years to be able to do it.