Why I’m Done Waiting for Perfect: A Letter to the Mom Who’s Avoiding the Camera

Why I’m Done Waiting for Perfect: A Letter to the Mom Who’s Avoiding the Camera
By Andria May Photography

Dear beautiful, tired, self-conscious, stretched-thin mama,

I see you hiding behind the camera.
I was you.

Dodging your family photos because your arm doesn’t look perfect at every angle.
Cringing at the thought of posing “just right.”
Telling yourself:

“Next time. When I lose weight. When I have more energy. When the kids are older. When life slows down.”

News flash: it doesn’t slow down.

One day, you’ll find yourself sitting in July heat (because #Arizona), sweating and stunned that your senior is about to leave home…
Realizing life will never be the same as it is right now.

But what I’ve learned is this:
👉 There are no perfect moments.
There is only now.

I used to believe it too.

And I’ll be honest—I wish we took more portraits through all the seasons of me becoming “Mom.”

Every shape. Every size.
Every tired, stretched, and sacred version of my body.

Let’s be real: my body was technically “perfect” when I was a teenager—yet I still thought my thighs were too big.
Now, my body is what it is:
A vessel that has carried four babies.
Made milk to sustain them.
Held them through tears and triumph.
And yes, it’s strong enough at 42 to play tag in the backyard.

I have thousands of photos on my camera roll...

Before I committed to full-service photography, I was just a mom with a million digital images—and almost none with mein them.
And while I’ll probably always take too many photos, I’ve learned which ones really matter:

The ones that show me there.

Even now, running a photography business and raising four kids—I still hear that voice that says,

“Wait. Just a little longer. Look a little better first.”

But you know what changed my mind?

My kids.

They aren’t going to remember my size.
They’re going to remember that I showed up.

That I held them.
That I laughed with them.
That I existed in the story of their childhood.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be present.

You don’t need to know how to pose or find the perfect outfit.
That’s on me—I’ll guide you with calm, confident direction that helps your family shine.

What matters most?
That you show up.
For your babies.
For your future self.
For the generations who will hold those portraits in their hands one day.

If you’ve been waiting for perfect… I hope this is your permission slip.

💗 You are beautiful now.
💗 You are worthy now.
💗 You are loved now.
💗 And you deserve to be in the frame.

This is exactly why I created the 10 Session Challenge.

Ten intentional, heart-centered sessions for families who want more than just a photo—they want a memory preserved.

If this feels like your moment, I’d love to hold space for you.

💌 Let’s talk about a session—no pressure, just heart.

Believing in your worth (exactly as you are),
Andria