Perfectly Imperfect Photos at Candlelight Park in Eugene, Oregon

The other day, my in-laws were visiting from out of town, and as a photographer, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to bring my camera along. Now, I’ll admit—I can sometimes get carried away taking photos, much to the annoyance of my family members. But this time, I wanted to capture a few moments with my in-laws as we took a walk to Candlelight Park in Eugene.

Candlelight Park isn’t the most picturesque location by any means, but it’s special to me. It’s a place we visit regularly with my kids, creating countless memories along the way. On this particular visit, it was a bitterly cold winter day. None of us were dressed to impress—I was literally wearing sweatpants—and our outfits were far from coordinated. But you know what? This is us, just as we are. I’m often asked for good location suggestions, and while I do have a Guide to my favorite lovely spots, I also suggest for my clients to choose a spot that holds meaning to them. For many, it might be their neighborhood park.

As we were at the park, I couldn’t help but take a few photos of our kids, particularly my daughter who is very much attached at hip right now. At the time of writing this, she’s almost a year and a half old. My husband was pushing her on the swing, and I was snapping away, trying to capture her joy. Many of you have probably seen the meme: “According to my cell phone photos, my husband is the best single dad around.” You get the idea. I’m rarely in front of the camera myself.

Then something unexpected happened. My husband asked if I wanted him to take a few photos of me with our daughter. At first, I hesitated. I wasn’t exactly camera-ready—no makeup, hair undone, still in my sweatpants. But then I remembered something I always tell my clients: get in front of the camera, even if you’re not feeling your best. These moments aren’t about perfection. They’re about preserving memories, not for us, but for our children and future generations.

One of my biggest regrets with my first baby is that I didn’t make an effort to be in more photos. I was always behind the camera, capturing everyone else’s moments. This time, I decided to take my own advice. I handed over the camera, and my husband started snapping. The results? They’re not posed or polished, but they’re perfectly imperfect—and I love them. The way my daughter looks at me, and the way I look at her, is something I’ll treasure forever.

I’m so grateful for a thoughtful husband who sees the value in these moments (and yes, I occasionally send him memes and reels as reminders to take more photos!). Looking back, I’m so glad I said yes to being photographed, even when I felt far from my best.

I’m sharing this because I hope it inspires you to do the same. The next time you’re out with your little ones, hand over the camera and take the picture—sweatpants and all. These are the moments your kids will cherish one day.

I also wanted to put a quick note out. I love lifestyle images. I love documenting real moments. Though, these photos remind me that it’s okay to do a photo session even when things aren’t perfectly curated (it normally takes me months to coordinate my own family photos/outfits). This is why I started offering assistance with planning, including a client closet for moms, babies, and toddlers. I’m getting sidetracked here—and while I’m normally a “sad beige mom” who loves muted, earthy tones, that’s not what documentary photos are about. If you’re ever interested in a true documentary session, I will follow you to your favorite spot that you frequent with your family and create a day-in-the-life session. I will be a fly on the wall, so to speak.

Take a look at some of these perfectly imperfect moments we captured that day, and let them remind you: the beauty of a memory isn’t in its perfection, but in its authenticity.