I’ve started and stopped writing this blog post multiple times over the last few days because, if I’m being honest, this topic makes me sad. And as a person who is known for being upbeat and happy all the time, this one is hard for me to put words to. But at the end of the day, I think it needs said- so I’m going to put it out there.

Please, please, please stop putting off photos. I can’t tell you how many people I run into that tell me they really want photos done, but they want to wait until they get a haircut, lose the last 10 pounds, etc. There’s so many excuses for not taking photos, and I totally get it! As much as I love taking photos, being on the other end of the camera isn’t easy! But I’ll tell you this- it is absolutely necessary to take the photo right now. Don’t wait. Life is not perfect, and it never will be perfect. You’ll never think you look thin enough or have the perfect haircut. One thing I’m sure of, is that as a person who cherishes photos of her friends and family more than words can say, I can, with 100 percent certainty, tell you that your kids will not care about what you look like in pictures. What they will care about is having moments frozen in time that they can hold on to for years to come.

I lost one of my childhood friends four years ago today and I cherish the last photo he and I took together. The photo is by no means perfect, in fact- I’m pretty sure it was taken on my phone. When we took the photo, I commented that the lighting was terrible and that the photo was grainy. (Typical things for me to point out.) But now, today, as I’m sitting here holding this picture, I think it’s absolutely perfect. Because now I’m not looking at the photo for its technical flaws, I’m looking at it and seeing years worth of memories that we shared together. Memories that I have with Justin that can’t be taken away because I ALWAYS took the picture. No matter what.

So please, I’m begging you. Book the photo shoot. Take the selfie with your friend even when your hair isn’t done. Set up a tripod and capture your life as it unfolds on a weekend at home. Don’t miss an opportunity to take a photo with your loved ones. You never know when you won’t get the opportunity to take another one. Your hair, makeup, outfit and weight do not matter. What matters is that YOU are in the photo.

Life is short, friends. Just take the photo.